What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing digestive discomfort, skin reactions, or other symptoms you suspect may be linked to eating cashews. It measures your immune system's IgG4 antibody response to cashew protein, which some people use as part of a broader food sensitivity evaluation. Keep in mind this test is often used in special clinical situations, such as before or during immunotherapy, rather than for general food allergy diagnosis.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will be available in your account, with the normal range for cashew IgG4 clearly explained next to your value. If your result is elevated, a practical next step is to try eliminating cashews from your diet for a few weeks and see if your symptoms improve, then consider retesting to track changes. The standard lab report can be downloaded directly from your account, and you can use the trends feature to monitor your levels over time if you test again in the future.

Who should consider this test?

This test may be useful for people who eat cashews regularly and experience unexplained symptoms like bloating, skin irritation, or fatigue after eating them. It's also sometimes used by people already working through an immunotherapy or elimination plan who want an additional data point to track. Because the clinical usefulness of food-specific IgG4 testing is debated, it's best viewed as supplemental information rather than a definitive diagnostic tool.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Common symptoms people associate with food sensitivities include stomach cramps, bloating, gas, skin rashes, headaches, or fatigue that seem to show up after eating cashews or cashew-containing foods. Some people also notice joint discomfort or brain fog. If these symptoms are severe or come on suddenly, such as swelling of the throat or difficulty breathing, that's a sign of a true allergic reaction and you should seek emergency medical care right away rather than relying on this test.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your sample being processed at the lab. You'll receive a notification once your report is ready to view in your account. Turnaround can occasionally vary slightly depending on lab volume.

How can I naturally support a healthy immune and digestive response?

Simple habits like eating a varied, whole-foods diet, staying hydrated, and getting consistent sleep can help support a balanced immune system. Some people find that keeping a food and symptom journal helps them spot patterns even before or after testing. Reducing processed foods and added sugars may also ease digestive stress that can mimic sensitivity symptoms.

What is IgG4 and why does it matter?

IgG4 is a type of antibody your immune system makes, and levels can rise with repeated exposure to a specific food protein like cashew. Unlike IgE antibodies, which cause classic allergic reactions, IgG4 is more commonly associated with immune tolerance or long-term exposure rather than an allergy. This is part of why experts still debate exactly what an elevated IgG4 result means for symptoms.

What does a high cashew IgG4 result mean?

A higher result means your immune system has produced more antibodies in response to cashew protein, which may simply reflect how often you eat cashews rather than a true problem. Some people use this information to guide a temporary elimination diet to see if symptoms change. It's not the same as a true allergy, so a high result alone isn't a reason to panic.

What causes a high cashew IgG4 level?

Frequent or regular consumption of cashews is the most common reason for an elevated IgG4 level, since your immune system naturally builds up more antibodies with repeated exposure. It can also reflect general immune activity rather than a food-specific issue. This is why the test is best interpreted alongside your symptoms and diet history.

What should I do if my results are abnormal?

If your cashew IgG4 comes back elevated, consider removing cashews from your diet for two to four weeks and tracking whether your symptoms improve. You can retest afterward and use the trends feature in your account to compare results over time. If you experience severe symptoms like swelling or trouble breathing after eating cashews, treat that as an emergency and seek immediate medical care rather than waiting on test results.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Cashew IgG4 Test - Food Sensitivity Check

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

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