Chickpea (Garbanzo Bean) Allergy Blood Test

This test measures a person's allergic reaction to Chickpeas, also known as Garbanzo Beans.  Chickpeas are a type of Legume, a family that also includes lentils, peas, peanuts, and a variety of beans.  Recipes from areas such as India and the Mediterranean often include chickpeas.  If you have a chickpea allergy, it is important to check ingredients to ensure your health is not at risk.  People who are allergic to chickpeas may also be allergic to other types of lentils or legumes.

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 chickpeas (garbanzo beans).  For a more comprehensive allergy test that includes lentils and other related food types, please see our Legume Allergy Panel.  For further options, please see our allergy testing category.

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