Broccoli Allergy Blood Test

This test measures a person's allergic reaction to broccoli.  Broccoli allergies are rare but they do affect some people.  Most people who are allergic to broccoli are having a reaction to a type of chemical found in broccoli called salicylates.  If you have a broccoli allergy there is a high likelihood that you will also be allergic to other vegetables from the same family including cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, mustard, and turnips.

Allergy symptoms can develop anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours after ingestion.  Common food allergy symptoms include rash, hives, itching, cough, wheezing, tightening of the throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and lightheadedness.  People with a severe allergy may experience anaphylaxis which can be fatal.   

Food allergies are caused by a reaction in the body's immune system.  The body identifies certain substances as harmful and produces IgE antibodies against them.  These antibodies trigger the release of histamine which causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction.  The severity of the allergy will vary from one person to the next.  Blood allergy testing provides numerical results for IgE antibody levels to help determine how severe a reaction a person will have.  Positive allergy test results should be discussed with a person's doctor to determine the appropriate follow-up.

This test is typically ordered when someone experiences allergy symptoms shortly after eating broccoli.  We also offer the Vegetable Allergy Panel #1 which includes broccoli and other vegetables for more comprehensive testing.  For more options, please see our allergy testing category.

Turnaround for this test is typically 2-5 business days.