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

Gum Arabic Allergy (IgE)

Checks IgE sensitization to gum arabic from a single 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

IgE is the antibody involved in allergic reactions, and this test measures how much of it in your blood targets gum arabic. Gum arabic is a thickener used in candies, foods, and printing. Sensitization is not the same as allergy, so the result is read with your history.

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

Who should take this test?

Adults often choose it after a reaction to processed foods, or to bring a result to an allergist, when they want to check for sensitization to gum arabic.

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?

Your gum arabic result can help you and an allergist see whether you are sensitized, one piece of information read alongside your symptoms and history.

Gum arabic-specific IgE (f297)
IgE is the antibody involved in allergic reactions. This marker is the amount of IgE in your blood that recognizes gum arabic, reported in kU/L. A level above the lab’s reference range means sensitization, not necessarily allergy.
Why it’s measured: To see whether you are sensitized to gum arabic, read with your history by an allergist.

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

An allergist or other healthcare provider reads this result with your history before any decision about eating gum arabic.

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.

A reaction after a meal can have more than one possible cause, so testing gum arabic on its own gives an allergist one more piece of information to read with your history.

A positive result shows sensitization, not that gum arabic caused your symptoms. Decisions about eating it belong with an allergist.

No. Sensitization means your body has made IgE to gum arabic. An allergy means that exposure causes symptoms. Many people are sensitized without having symptoms, so a positive result alone does not mean you are allergic.

A negative result does not clear an allergy either. An allergist or other healthcare provider reads your result with what happens when you are exposed.

Get emergency care. If you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or you feel faint or pass out after eating any food, call 911 right away. If you have a prescribed epinephrine auto-⁠injector, use it as directed. This blood test is not for urgent reactions.

After a serious reaction, an allergist can talk with you about what happened and which tests make sense.

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.