Citrus Food Allergy Panel in Connecticut

What this test measures

This panel measures allergen-specific immunoglobulin E antibodies against five citrus fruits in a single blood sample. Each fruit is reported separately, so the result can show whether one citrus variety stands out or whether several share reactivity. Immunoassays quantify antibodies in kilounits per liter and assign a class from zero to six. Clinicians use the panel when citrus allergy is suspected but the specific trigger is unclear.

The sample is collected by venipuncture at a partner laboratory. The laboratory prepares extracts from orange, lime, lemon, tangerine, and grapefruit and measures antibody binding to each. Supporting markers such as total IgE and eosinophil counts may be reported alongside the fruit-specific results. Cross-reactivity with pollen proteins is also possible because some citrus proteins resemble those found in certain pollens.

People order this panel after reacting to citrus fruit, juice, peel, or zest. Reactions can include oral itching, lip swelling, hives, or gastrointestinal discomfort, and they may occur with raw fruit more often than with cooked or processed forms. The panel provides objective information for an allergy discussion, though it does not replace a clinical evaluation and cannot predict reaction severity.