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

Lobster Allergy (IgE)

Your IgE level to lobster, from one standard 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

Lobster-specific IgE is the antibody this blood test measures. Lobster is a crustacean, a shellfish group that also includes shrimp, crab, and crayfish. A positive result shows sensitization, which is not the same as an allergy. No fasting or other prep is needed.

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

Who should take this test?

This test is for adults who want to know whether they are sensitized to lobster, for example after a reaction to shellfish, or ahead of an allergist visit.

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 lobster, which can help a healthcare provider understand whether lobster may be linked to your symptoms.

Lobster-specific IgE (f80)
This marker measures IgE antibodies to lobster, a crustacean. A level above the lab’s reference range shows the immune system is sensitized to it. Many sensitized people have no symptoms, so the result is read with your history.
Why it’s measured: Helps an allergist understand possible sensitization to lobster.

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

Results come back as an IgE level in kU/L, compared with the lab’s reference range. Above the range shows 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

Share this result with an allergist or other healthcare provider, who reads it with your history and decides on next steps.

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.

It can. Crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, lobster, and crayfish share similar proteins, so sensitization to one can come with sensitization to others. Mollusks, such as clams and oysters, are a separate shellfish group, though some of their proteins are similar too.

Shellfish allergy can also first appear in adulthood. Decisions about eating any shellfish belong with an allergist, who reads your results with your history.

It does not tell you whether you will react to lobster, or how strongly. IgE shows sensitization, and many sensitized people have no symptoms. A negative result does not clear an allergy either.

Decisions about eating lobster belong with an allergist or other healthcare provider who knows your history.

No. This blood test is not for urgent reactions. Trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or fainting after eating any food needs emergency care, so call 911 right away. If you have a prescribed epinephrine auto-⁠injector, use it as directed.

Once you are well, an allergist or other healthcare provider can help you decide whether testing fits and what comes next.

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.