01
Pre-test consultation
30-minute discussion of your symptoms, history, and which panel is most appropriate. Free if you proceed with testing.
Comprehensive Allergy Testing
Find out what's actually triggering you.
Blood-based allergy testing for over 100 allergens — foods, pollens, dust mites, pet dander, and more — with a follow-up consultation to interpret your results.
Find out what's actually triggering you — coming soon
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- 5-7 working daysResults
- 100+ allergensCoverage
- Follow-up consultationIncludes
What is comprehensive allergy testing?
Allergy symptoms — itchy eyes, blocked sinuses, hives, gastrointestinal issues — can be triggered by any of dozens of common allergens. Our private allergy testing measures specific IgE antibodies in your blood, identifying which allergens you're sensitive to and how strongly. It's the same testing methodology used in NHS allergy clinics, but available within days rather than months.
At Qrystal Pharmacy you can choose from targeted panels (e.g. food allergies, environmental allergies, pet dander) or a comprehensive panel testing 100+ allergens at once. We use a UKAS-accredited UK lab, return results in 5-7 working days, and include a follow-up consultation to walk you through what each marker means.
Allergy testing is most useful when paired with an allergy history. We'll discuss your symptoms during the pre-test consultation and tailor the panel to what's most likely to be relevant.
Who can have allergy testing?
- Adults aged 18 and over
- Children aged 5-17 with a parent or guardian present
- Patients with chronic or recurring allergy-like symptoms
- Patients planning travel to areas with new allergen exposures
You're not eligible if:
- Patients on antihistamines within the last 7 days (results may be inaccurate)
- Patients with known severe anaphylactic allergies — testing is best done in a specialist allergy clinic
- Children under 5 (we'll refer you to a paediatric allergy specialist)
How allergy testing works
02
Sample collection
Blood draw on-site by our trained phlebotomist — usually 10 minutes. No fasting needed.
03
Lab analysis
Your sample is analysed at a UKAS-accredited UK lab measuring specific IgE for each allergen on your panel.
04
Results consultation
5-7 working days later, your written report is reviewed with you in a 30-minute follow-up consultation. We'll explain what each marker means and what to do next.
What's included
- Pre-test consultation (free if you proceed with testing)
- Blood draw by a trained phlebotomist
- UKAS-accredited UK lab analysis
- Written report with clear allergen-by-allergen results
- 30-minute follow-up consultation to interpret results
- Onward referral to an allergy specialist if your results need it
- Optional consent-based result sharing with your GP
Allergens we test for
Our comprehensive panel covers more than 100 individual allergens across food, environmental, and contact categories. The most commonly requested include:
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts (almond, brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio, walnut)
- Eggs (white and yolk)
- Cow's milk
- Wheat
- Soy
- Shellfish (prawn, lobster, crab)
- Fish (cod, salmon, tuna)
- Sesame
- House dust mite
- Cat dander
- Dog dander
- Grass pollen
- Tree pollen (birch, oak, plane)
- Weed pollen (mugwort, ragweed)
- Mould (Aspergillus, Cladosporium)
- Latex
- Bee and wasp venom
Allergy testing — frequently asked questions
What's the difference between blood testing and skin-prick testing?
Both methods measure the same thing — IgE-mediated sensitivity. Skin-prick is faster but requires an allergy clinic with emergency-response capability. Blood testing (specific IgE) is equally accurate, more convenient, and safer because it doesn't expose you to the allergen. We use blood testing at Qrystal.
How accurate is the test?
Specific IgE blood testing is highly accurate for identifying sensitisation to a given allergen. However, sensitisation isn't always the same as a clinical allergy — that's why the follow-up consultation matters. We interpret your results alongside your symptoms to give you a meaningful answer.
How much does it cost?
Costs depend on the size of the panel — from a single targeted allergen to a 100+ allergen comprehensive panel. Call us for a tailored quote.
Can children have the test?
Yes, from age 5. Younger children can be tested in some cases but are usually better served by a paediatric allergy specialist — we'll refer you appropriately.
Do I need to stop antihistamines before the test?
For blood-based IgE testing, antihistamines do not affect results. (For skin-prick tests they would — but we don't use skin-prick at Qrystal.) Continue your antihistamines as normal until your appointment.
What if I have a severe (anaphylactic) allergy?
Patients with a known anaphylactic allergy are best served by a specialist allergy clinic with full emergency response capability. We can do baseline blood testing but will recommend specialist follow-up for serious allergies.
What do I do with the results?
During your follow-up consultation we'll walk through your report and explain which allergens you're sensitive to and what action to take — from avoidance strategies to written GP referral for treatment.
Will the test tell me about food intolerances?
No. IgE blood testing identifies true allergies, not food intolerances (which work by a different mechanism and don't show on this test). For intolerance testing, ask our pharmacist about other private testing options.
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Learn moreReady to identify your triggers?
Book a pre-test consultation today and find out exactly what's causing your symptoms.