Understanding Your Laboratory Blood Test
This test detects specific IgE antibodies in your blood to determine if you are allergic to Bermuda grass.
{"The test measures IgE antibodies against Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon)","A positive result indicates you may have a Bermuda grass allergy","It helps diagnose allergic rhinitis, asthma, and other grass-related allergic conditions","The test uses a blood sample and does not require exposure to the allergen","Results help your doctor develop an appropriate treatment plan"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 103086-5
- Short code
- Cynd1-IgE
- Synonyms
- Bermuda grass (nCyn d) 1 IgE RAST
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top serum collection tube or serum separator tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 0.34
- Critical range
- — – 500 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) - solid-phase immunoassay for detection of allergen-specific IgE antibodies
- CPT
- 86003
- SNOMED
- 395140008
- Specimen volume
- 0.5-1.0 mL serum (minimum 0.3 mL)
- Stability
- Serum stable at room temperature for 8 hours; refrigerated at 2-8°C for 7 days; frozen at -20°C or below for up to 1 year; avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 50
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
This test is a laboratory analysis performed on a sample of your blood or another body fluid. It measures specific substances in your body, such as cells, chemicals, proteins, or hormones, to help your healthcare provider evaluate your overall health or look for certain conditions.
The Bermuda grass native (nCyn d) 1 IgE antibody test is a specific allergy blood test that detects whether your immune system produces IgE antibodies against Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), one of the most common grass allergens worldwide. Using the Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) method, this test measures the presence and quantity of these specific antibodies in your serum.
Your doctor may order this test to help diagnose a medical condition, monitor an illness you already have, screen for disease before symptoms appear, or check how well a treatment is working. The results also guide decisions about medications, lifestyle changes, and follow-up care.
Your doctor may order this test if you experience symptoms that suggest a grass allergy, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, wheezing, or skin reactions during Bermuda grass pollen season. Bermuda grass is widely distributed in warm climates and is a major cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbations.
A trained healthcare professional usually draws a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm using a thin needle. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and you may feel a quick sting or pinch. A small bandage is placed on the site afterward. Some tests use a urine, saliva, or swab sample instead.
A healthcare professional will draw a blood sample from a vein in your arm. The blood is then sent to a laboratory where it is tested for the presence of IgE antibodies specific to Bermuda grass allergen nCyn d 1. Unlike skin prick tests, this blood test does not expose you to the allergen and is not affected by medications such as antihistamines.
Your results are compared with standard reference ranges to show whether your values fall within the expected range. Values that are higher or lower than normal do not always mean you have a serious problem. Your healthcare provider will review the numbers with you, explain what they mean for your situation, and recommend any next steps, such as repeat testing or treatment.
Results are typically reported as either positive (detectable IgE antibodies) or negative (no detectable IgE antibodies). The presence of IgE antibodies to Bermuda grass indicates sensitization, meaning your immune system has previously reacted to this allergen. Your doctor will interpret these results alongside your clinical symptoms and medical history to confirm a diagnosis of Bermuda grass allergy.
Reference range
Class 0: Negative (<0.35 kU/L); Class 1: Low (0.35-0.70 kU/L); Class 2: Moderate (0.71-3.50 kU/L); Class 3: High (3.51-17.50 kU/L); Class 4: Very High (17.51-50.00 kU/L); Class 5: Very High (50.01-100.00 kU/L); Class 6: Extremely High (>100.00 kU/L). Results reported as positive or negative for the presence of Bermuda grass (nCyn d) 1 specific IgE antibodies.N/A
No special preparation required. Patients do not need to fast. Patients should continue taking prescribed medications including antihistamines, as discontinuation is not required for IgE antibody testing.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A positive Bermuda grass IgE test confirms sensitization to Bermuda grass and supports the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, or atopic dermatitis triggered by grass pollen exposure. This information is valuable for allergen avoidance counseling, prescription of appropriate medications (antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, inhalers), and consideration of allergen immunotherapy (desensitization treatment). The test is particularly useful when skin testing is not feasible, in patients with severe eczema, or when antihistamine medications cannot be discontinued.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
Will this test cause an allergic reaction?
What do I do if my test is positive?
Can I have the test if I'm currently taking allergy medications?
How long does it take to get results?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy