What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing itching, hives, swelling, stomach upset, or breathing trouble after eating sunflower seeds or foods that contain them. It checks whether your immune system has developed a sensitivity to sunflower seed proteins. It's also useful if you suspect a sunflower seed allergy but haven't confirmed it yet.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account along with an explanation of what a positive or negative IgE range means. If your result is positive, a practical next step is to avoid sunflower seeds and products made with sunflower oil or butter and watch for symptoms after accidental exposure. You can download a standard lab report directly from your account, and if you retest in the future, the trends feature lets you compare results side by side.

Who should consider this test?

Anyone who gets symptoms like itching, swelling, hives, or digestive discomfort after eating sunflower seeds, sunflower butter, or oils made from sunflower seeds should consider this test. It's also helpful for people with other known food allergies who want to check cross-reactivity, or parents wondering if a child's reaction after snacking on seeds was allergy-related. People with a family history of food allergies may also want a baseline check.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Common signs include itchy skin, hives, swelling of the lips or face, an upset stomach, nausea, or trouble breathing shortly after eating sunflower seeds or foods containing them. Some people notice a tingling or itchy feeling in the mouth right after exposure. If these symptoms show up repeatedly around sunflower seed products, testing can help confirm what's causing them.

How can I naturally support a sunflower seed allergy?

The most effective everyday step is simply avoiding sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, and sunflower butter in your meals and snacks. Reading ingredient labels carefully helps since sunflower products show up in breads, granola, and cooking oils. Keeping a food and symptom journal can help you spot patterns and confirm what triggers your reactions. If you have a known severe allergy, always carry any emergency medication you've been prescribed.

What is IgE sensitization and why does it matter?

IgE is an antibody your immune system makes when it mistakenly treats a harmless food protein, like one in sunflower seeds, as a threat. A positive IgE result means your body has built up this immune response, but it doesn't automatically mean every exposure will cause a reaction. It matters because it helps explain unexplained symptoms and guides decisions about avoiding certain foods.

What does a high (positive) result mean?

A positive result means your immune system has antibodies against sunflower seed protein, so you're sensitized to it. This raises the chance that eating sunflower seeds could trigger an allergic reaction, though the severity varies from person to person. If your result is positive and you've had reactions before, it's a good idea to avoid sunflower seeds and related products going forward.

What causes a positive sunflower seed IgE result?

A positive result happens when your immune system has previously been exposed to sunflower seed protein and built antibodies against it, sometimes without you noticing a reaction the first time. Repeated exposure through diet, skin contact, or even cross-reactivity with related plant pollens can trigger this sensitization. Genetics also play a role, since allergies often run in families.

How often should I retest?

If you're currently avoiding sunflower seeds and not having symptoms, there's usually no need to retest often. If your symptoms change, get worse, or you want to check whether sensitivity has decreased over time, retesting every year or two can be useful. Tracking results over time also helps if you're introducing sunflower products back into your diet cautiously.

What should I do if my results are abnormal?

If your result is positive, start by avoiding sunflower seeds and foods made with them, and check labels on packaged snacks, breads, and oils. Keep track of any symptoms that happen with accidental exposure so you understand your reaction pattern. If you ever experience severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or swelling of the throat, seek emergency medical care right away.

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.

Sunflower Seed Allergy Test - IgE 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

[email protected]