A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

Finch Feathers Allergy (IgE)

IgE antibodies to finch feathers, measured from one blood draw.

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  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
None
Nothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
Results
3 to 5 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab.

About this test

This test measures IgE antibodies to finch feathers. People often check it when symptoms follow time around birds or feather bedding. Sensitization is not the same as allergy, so the result is read with your history. There is nothing to do ahead of your visit.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

Adults often use it when symptoms follow time around birds or feather bedding, or before an allergist visit, to check sensitization to finch feathers.

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

The result shows your level of IgE to finch feathers, one piece of information an allergist or other healthcare provider reads with your symptoms and exposure history.

Finch feathers-specific IgE
Specific IgE is an antibody the immune system can make against one allergen. This marker measures IgE that recognizes finch feathers, with exposure from caged birds. A level above the lab’s reference range shows sensitization.
Why it’s measured: Checks for IgE sensitization to finch feathers when symptoms follow time around birds.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. No fasting needed, and nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 3 to 5 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

Your IgE level is reported in kU/L and compared with the lab’s reference range. A result above the range means sensitization, not necessarily allergy.

  • Your number next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

Decisions about birds, bedding, or other exposure belong with an allergist or other healthcare provider, who reads this with your history.

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

Not on its own. A positive result means your immune system has made IgE to finch feathers, which is called sensitization. Many people who are sensitized have no symptoms when they are exposed.

A diagnosis of allergy is made by a healthcare provider who looks at your symptoms and history along with results like this one. A negative result also does not by itself mean you are not allergic.

Feathers and droppings carry bird proteins that can lead to sensitization. For finch feathers, exposure can come from caged birds.

Birds can also cause a different lung reaction that does not involve IgE, and this test does not check for it. Ongoing cough or shortness of breath around birds needs a healthcare provider. A positive result shows sensitization, not that birds cause your symptoms.

Both look for IgE sensitization. A skin test checks how your skin responds to a small amount of an allergen, while this test measures IgE to finch feathers in a blood sample. In many cases the two are considered comparable.

A blood test may be preferred in some situations, such as a widespread skin condition or recent use of medicines that affect skin tests. Don’t stop or change any medicine without talking with your healthcare provider.

Lab tests are informational and don’t diagnose conditions on their own. Available to adults 18 and older; test availability varies by lab location. A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test. All testing is performed at CLIA-certified laboratories. Not for emergencies: if you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911.