Chicken IgE Antibody Test (Chicken Meat Allergy Blood Test)
This blood test measures specific IgE antibodies to chicken proteins, along with your total IgE level, to help your doctor determine whether your symptoms are caused by an allergy to chicken meat.
{"Measures IgE antibodies specific to chicken meat","Helps diagnose food allergy to chicken","Also checks total IgE (allergy antibody) levels","Requires a blood sample from your arm","Results help your doctor confirm or rule out chicken allergy"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 38465-1
- Short code
- CHKEN|IGE
- Synonyms
- Chicken IgE/IgE total %
- Category
- cardiac
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST/Gel tube) or plain red top tube
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 100
- Critical range
- — – 10000 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Immunoassay (Chemiluminescence or ELISA)
- CPT
- 86003 (Allergen-specific IgE), 82785 (Total IgE)
- SNOMED
- 105978008, 414285004
- Specimen volume
- 1.0-2.0 mL serum minimum
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C or below): 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Chicken IgE Antibody test is a blood test that measures two things: (1) specific IgE antibodies to chicken meat, and (2) total IgE level in your blood. IgE is an antibody (a type of protein) that your immune system produces when you have an allergic reaction. This test helps doctors determine if you are allergic to chicken meat.
Why might I need this test?
Your doctor may order this test if you experience symptoms after eating chicken, such as hives, itching, swelling, stomach problems, or difficulty breathing. It may also be helpful if you have symptoms of 'bird-egg syndrome,' where people allergic to bird proteins also react to egg yolks. The test helps confirm whether your symptoms are caused by a true chicken allergy.
How is the test done?
A healthcare professional will draw a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm using a needle. The blood sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis. You do not need to fast before this test. The results are usually available within a few days.
What do the results mean?
A positive result for chicken-specific IgE indicates that your immune system has produced antibodies against chicken proteins, suggesting you may have a chicken allergy. The total IgE level shows your overall allergic tendency. However, results should be interpreted by your doctor along with your symptoms and medical history, as a positive test does not always mean you will have symptoms when eating chicken.
Reference range
Total IgE: 0-100 IU/mL (adults); Chicken-specific IgE: <0.35 kU/L (negative), 0.35-0.70 kU/L (equivocal), >0.70 kU/L (positive). Reference ranges may vary by laboratory.N/A
No special preparation required. Patient may eat and drink normally before specimen collection. Inform laboratory of any current medications, particularly antihistamines or corticosteroids, which may affect results.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Is this test painful?
Do I need to avoid chicken before the test?
Can this test diagnose all food allergies?
What happens if my test is positive?
Sources
- 1
- 2
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