Understanding Your Diagnostic Lab Test: A Patient's Guide
This blood test measures IgE antibodies specific to Bermuda grass smut fungus and total IgE levels to help diagnose allergic reactions to this common outdoor allergen.
{"Measures immune system antibodies against Bermuda grass smut fungus","Helps diagnose causes of seasonal allergies, hay fever, and allergic asthma","Results indicate whether you have an allergic reaction to Bermuda grass","Total IgE shows your overall allergic sensitivity level","Results help guide treatment and avoidance strategies"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 58034-0
- Short code
- BMGRSMT
- Synonyms
- Bermuda grass smut IgE/IgE total %
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or red-top vacutainer tube
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0.35
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- Fluorescent Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) / ImmunoCAP
- CPT
- 86003
- SNOMED
- 395138001
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL serum (minimum 0.5 mL)
- Stability
- Room temperature: 8 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C or below): 12 months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test? This is a laboratory test that helps your healthcare provider check how your body is working and look for signs of illness, infection, or other health conditions that may need further attention or treatment.
The Bermuda grass smut IgE test is a blood test that detects and measures specific antibodies (IgE) that your immune system produces in response to Bermuda grass smut, a common fungus found on grass. The test also measures your total IgE level, which reflects your overall allergic tendency.
Why do I need this test? Your provider may order this test to help diagnose a medical problem, monitor an ongoing condition, screen for possible risk factors, or check how well your current treatment plan is working for you.
Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have symptoms of allergies such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, or asthma symptoms, especially during grass-growing seasons. This test helps identify whether Bermuda grass smut is triggering your allergic reactions.
What happens during the test? A trained healthcare professional will collect a small sample, usually blood or urine, at a clinic or laboratory. The process is quick, typically takes only a few minutes, and causes little to no discomfort.
A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The test measures both specific IgE antibodies to Bermuda grass smut and your total IgE level.
How to prepare for the test? Follow any instructions from your provider, such as fasting for a set number of hours, drinking plenty of water, or avoiding certain medicines. Tell the staff about any medications or supplements you are taking.
No special preparation is usually needed for this blood test. You can eat and drink normally before the test. However, always follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider.
Understanding your results: Your results show whether your values fall within the normal reference range. Values outside that range do not always mean disease, so your provider will review them with you and explain what they mean for your overall health.
Results are typically reported as a class score (0-6) or in kU/L units. A higher result indicates a greater likelihood of an allergic reaction to Bermuda grass smut. Your healthcare provider will interpret these results together with your symptoms and medical history.
Reference range
IgE total: <100 kU/L (adults); Specific IgE Bermuda grass smut: <0.35 kU/L (negative), 0.35-0.70 kU/L (equivocal/低), 0.71-3.50 kU/L (positive), 3.51-17.50 kU/L (moderately positive), >17.50 kU/L (strongly positive)N/A
No fasting required. Patient should inform the laboratory of all current medications, especially antihistamines (which may need to be discontinued 5-7 days prior per clinician discretion) and recent corticosteroid use, as these may affect IgE levels.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test helps diagnose Bermuda grass smut allergy, which is a common cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and allergic asthma. Positive results confirm that Bermuda grass smut is triggering your immune system, enabling targeted treatment including allergen avoidance, medications, or immunotherapy (allergy shots).
Total IgE levels help assess your overall allergic profile. Elevated total IgE combined with positive specific IgE suggests a strong allergic tendency. This information helps healthcare providers develop a comprehensive allergy management plan tailored to your specific triggers.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bermuda grass smut?
What do high IgE levels mean?
How long does it take to get results?
Do I need to stop allergy medications before the test?
Can this test predict severe allergic reactions?
Sources
- 1
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- 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 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy