Lobster, Spiny Allergy (IgE)
Measures IgE to spiny lobster, a sign of sensitization, from one draw.
- 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 drawA standard blood draw at the lab.
- Preparation
- NoneNothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
- Results
- 3 to 5 daysTypical turnaround after your visit.
- Where
- 2,000+ lab locationsNationwide, 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 spiny lobster. Spiny 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.
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 spiny 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 spiny lobster, which can help a healthcare provider understand whether spiny lobster may be linked to your symptoms.
- Spiny lobster-specific IgE
- Specific IgE is an antibody the immune system can make against a single food. This marker measures IgE that recognizes spiny lobster, a crustacean. A level above the lab’s reference range shows sensitization, which an allergist reads with your history.
- Why it’s measured: Checks for IgE sensitization to spiny lobster, often after a reaction to shellfish.
How it works
- Step 1
Order online
Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.
- 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.
- 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 eating spiny lobster belong with an allergist or other healthcare provider, who reads this result 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.
Related tests
- In person
Crab Allergy (IgE)
Another crustacean that is often checked with spiny lobster.
Loading price - In person
Lobster Allergy (IgE)
Another crustacean that is often checked with spiny lobster.
Loading price
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.
Not on its own. A positive result means your immune system has made IgE to spiny lobster, 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.
No. This test is not for urgent reactions. If you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or you faint after eating any food, call 911 or get emergency care right away. If you have a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector, use it as directed.
Once a reaction has passed, an allergist or other healthcare provider can help you decide on next steps, including whether testing fits.
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 spiny lobster 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.