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

Insulin, Human Allergy (IgE)

IgE antibodies to human insulin, 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 blood test measures IgE antibodies to human insulin. It is one part of a medication allergy evaluation with an allergist and your prescriber, and a negative result alone does not clear the allergy. Don’t stop or change insulin based on this result, since stopping insulin can be dangerous.

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

Who should take this test?

For adults who have had a possible allergic reaction to insulin and are working with their prescriber and an allergist on a medication allergy evaluation.

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 result shows whether your blood has IgE to human insulin. An allergist reads it with your history and your prescriber’s input as one part of a medication allergy evaluation.

Human insulin-specific IgE (c73)
Specific IgE is an antibody the immune system can make against one substance. This marker measures IgE that recognizes human insulin. A level above the lab’s reference range shows sensitization, one part of an allergist’s medication allergy evaluation.
Why it’s measured: Checks for IgE sensitization to human insulin, read with your prescriber and 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 result is reported as an IgE level in kU/L and compared with the lab’s reference range. A level above the range shows sensitization.

  • 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

Don’t stop or change insulin based on this result. Your prescriber and an allergist read it with your full 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.

No. Don’t stop or change insulin or any other medicine based on this result. Stopping insulin can be dangerous, so talk with the prescriber who manages your insulin about any concern.

Never take a medicine you have reacted to based on this result alone. An allergist and your prescriber decide on next steps together.

Get emergency care. If you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or you feel faint or pass out after taking a medicine, 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.

No. Sensitization means your body has made IgE to human insulin. 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 your history.

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.