Nickel IgE Antibody Test
This blood test measures whether your immune system reacts to nickel, a common metal found in jewelry, coins, and everyday items that can cause allergic skin reactions in sensitive people. It detects nickel-specific IgE antibodies to help your doctor determine if you have developed a nickel allergy.
{"Measures IgE antibodies against nickel in your blood","Used to diagnose nickel metal allergy","Helps identify causes of skin reactions like rashes or eczema","Sample is collected via blood draw","Results help guide treatment and avoidance strategies"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 101719-3
- Short code
- Nickel IgE
- Synonyms
- Nickel IgE Qn
- Category
- cardiac
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or plain red top tube
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 0.35
- Critical range
- — – 10000 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Immunoassay (FEIA - Fluorescent Enzyme Immunoassay or CLA - Chemiluminescent Assay)
- CPT
- 86003
- SNOMED
- 424158008
- 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
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Nickel IgE Antibody test is a blood test that measures the level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specific to nickel in your bloodstream. Nickel is a silvery-white metal commonly found in jewelry, coins, belt buckles, clothing fasteners, and many everyday objects. Some people develop an allergic reaction to nickel, and this test helps determine if your immune system has become sensitized to it.
Why is it ordered?
This test is typically ordered when you have skin symptoms that suggest an allergic reaction, such as itchy rashes, redness, swelling, or blistering that occurs after contact with metal objects. It may also be ordered before certain medical procedures or when evaluating patients who may need implants or devices that contain nickel, as a severe allergic reaction could complicate the procedure.
What happens during the test?
A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. The procedure is quick and typically causes minimal discomfort. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory where it is analyzed to detect and measure the level of nickel-specific IgE antibodies.
How to prepare?
No special preparation is usually required for this test. You can eat and drink normally before the blood draw. However, it is important to inform your doctor about any medications, supplements, or vitamins you are taking, as some substances may affect test results.
Reference range
Negative: < 0.35 kU/L; Equivocal: 0.35-0.70 kU/L; Positive: >= 0.70 kU/LN/A
No fasting required. No discontinuation of antihistamines required for IgE testing. Inform laboratory of any recent allergen exposure or immunotherapy.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A positive result indicates that you have developed IgE antibodies against nickel, meaning you have a nickel allergy. This can explain skin reactions like contact dermatitis that occur when your skin touches nickel-containing items. The level of IgE antibodies may correlate with the severity of your allergic response. A negative result suggests no detectable nickel-specific IgE, though it does not completely rule out nickel sensitivity—some patients may have other types of allergic reactions (non-IgE mediated) to nickel.
For patients requiring medical implants or devices that contain nickel (such as certain pacemakers, stents, or orthopedic hardware), this test can help assess the risk of an allergic reaction. Knowing about a nickel allergy in advance allows healthcare providers to choose alternative materials when possible.
Frequently asked questions
What does a high IgE level for nickel mean?
Is this test painful?
Can I develop a nickel allergy later in life?
How is nickel allergy treated?
Are there foods I should avoid if I have a nickel allergy?
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