Cat epithelium and dander
IgE antibodies to cat skin and dander.
Why it matters
Cat allergen is light, sticky and widespread, even in homes without a cat.
Allergy First-Line Panel
UK Partnered Clinics
£249.00
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Allergy First-Line Panel
£249.00
Price is for one test. No subscription.
The Chxhealth Allergy First-Line Panel is a blood test for suspected immediate (Type I) allergy. It measures IgE antibodies to 8 of the most common allergens: cat, dog, house dust mite, egg white, milk, peanut, silver birch and Timothy grass, plus your Total IgE.
It is a sensible starting point when your symptoms point to a common trigger. Randox Laboratories, which analyses the samples, says these allergens account for roughly 80% of common sensitisations seen in primary care. If you need wider food or pollen coverage, the Enhanced and Complete panels test more allergens.
Your sample is a venous blood draw at our Lanchester clinic in County Durham or one of 50+ UK partner clinics, analysed by Randox Laboratories, accredited by UKAS to ISO 15189. Results take up to 5 working days. Your report shows sensitisation for a clinician to read alongside your symptoms; Chxhealth does not diagnose, treat or prescribe.
Sample requirements
×22 blood tubes
Collected at either our Chxhealth clinic in Lanchester (book your appointment during checkout) or at one of our 50+ UK partnered clinics (you'll receive a separate booking email after checkout). Phlebotomy fee included in the price.
ISO accredited
Independent quality standard
Plain-English reports
Easy to understand
GDPR-secure
Your data stays private
What we measure
The biomarkers in this panel.
Dog epithelium
IgE antibodies to dog skin (epithelium).
Why it matters
One of two dog extracts; together they give a fuller view of dog sensitisation.
European House Dust Mite (D.pteronyssinus)
IgE antibodies to the European house dust mite.
Why it matters
The most common dust mite in UK homes and a frequent cause of year-round symptoms.
Egg white
IgE antibodies to egg white proteins.
Why it matters
Egg white holds most of the proteins behind egg allergy, common in young children.
Milk
IgE antibodies to cow's milk proteins.
Why it matters
Cow's milk is one of the most common food allergens, especially in early childhood.
Peanut
IgE antibodies to peanut proteins.
Why it matters
Peanut is one of the most common causes of food allergy in the UK.
Silver Birch
IgE antibodies to silver birch tree pollen.
Why it matters
Birch is a major spring hay fever trigger in the UK and is linked with some foods.
Timothy Grass
IgE antibodies to Timothy grass pollen.
Why it matters
Grass pollen is the most common cause of hay fever in the UK.
Total IgE
The total amount of IgE antibody in your blood.
Why it matters
Gives context for the allergen-specific results; raised levels are common in atopy.
Biomarker FAQs
Questions about these biomarkers.
What is total IgE?
Total IgE is the overall amount of immunoglobulin E in your blood, the antibody behind immediate allergic reactions. It is not specific to any one allergen. Levels are often higher in people with allergies, eczema or asthma, but can be raised for other reasons. A normal total IgE does not rule out an allergy to a particular allergen.
More about Total IgE
Can a blood test show a peanut allergy?
A blood test can show whether you are sensitised to peanut, meaning you have IgE antibodies to it. It cannot confirm an allergy on its own. Some people with peanut IgE eat peanut without problems, partly because peanut proteins can resemble pollen proteins. A clinician reads the result alongside your history. If you have reacted badly to peanut before, speak to your GP, who can refer you to an NHS allergy clinic.
More about Peanut
Can I be allergic to cats if I have never owned one?
Yes. Cat allergen is very light and sticky. It travels on clothing and settles in schools, offices and public transport, so people who have never lived with a cat can still become sensitised. This marker measures IgE to proteins from cat skin and dander, which can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose or wheeze.
More about Cat epithelium and dander
What does the dog epithelium result show?
It shows whether you have IgE antibodies to proteins from dog skin, one of the main sources of dog allergen in the home. Dog allergen also comes from saliva and dander. A positive result shows sensitisation; whether dogs actually cause your symptoms depends on what happens when you are around them.
More about Dog epithelium
Why is house dust mite on the panel?
The European house dust mite is the most common dust mite in UK homes. The allergen comes mainly from mite droppings in bedding, carpets and soft furnishings. Because mites are present all year, sensitisation can sit behind year-round blocked noses, sneezing, wheeze or eczema flares that are often worse in the bedroom or first thing in the morning.
More about European House Dust Mite (D.pteronyssinus)
Why does the panel test egg white?
Egg white contains most of the proteins linked with egg allergy, which is one of the most common food allergies in young children. Many children outgrow it, but some do not. This marker measures IgE to egg white proteins. A positive result shows sensitisation, which a clinician interprets alongside what happens when you eat egg.
More about Egg white
Is a milk allergy the same as lactose intolerance?
No. Milk allergy is an immune reaction to proteins in cow's milk, and this marker measures IgE to those proteins. Lactose intolerance is a problem digesting milk sugar. It does not involve IgE and this test does not detect it. The two can cause some similar gut symptoms, which is why the difference matters.
More about Milk
Why is silver birch included?
Silver birch is one of the main causes of spring hay fever in the UK, with pollen usually released around March to May. Birch sensitisation is also linked with pollen food syndrome, where raw fruits, vegetables or nuts such as apple or hazelnut cause itching in the mouth. This marker measures IgE to birch pollen.
More about Silver Birch
What does the Timothy grass result tell me?
Grass pollen is the most common cause of hay fever in the UK, usually peaking from late May to July. Timothy grass is widely used as a representative grass in allergy testing, as many grass pollens share similar proteins. A positive result suggests grass pollen sensitisation, which a clinician reads alongside when your symptoms happen.
More about Timothy Grass
Is this panel right for me?
Who this panel is built for.
Who this is for
- Adults with sneezing, itchy eyes, wheeze or skin symptoms who suspect a common allergen.
- People who cannot stop antihistamines or have eczema that makes skin-prick testing hard.
- Anyone wanting a focused first look before considering a broader allergy panel.
Consider speaking to a clinician first
- Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Speak to your GP, who can refer you to an NHS allergy clinic.
- People looking for coeliac disease, lactose intolerance or eosinophilic oesophagitis. These are not IgE allergies and this panel does not detect them.
- People whose symptoms point to foods or pollens beyond this short list. The Enhanced or Complete panel may suit better.
- Anyone under 18. Chxhealth tests are for adults.
This panel reports biomarker data. It does not diagnose any condition. Your results should be reviewed alongside the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare professional.
How it works
Order to results in four simple steps.
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1
Order online
Choose your test, complete your details and book your appointment (either through an email sent after an order with a UK partnered clinic or on our site for our own clinic).
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2
Collect your sample
Visit our Chxhealth Clinic in County Durham or head to one of our 50+ partnered clinics all over the UK.
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3
Lab analysis
ISO accredited process through our lab partners. Your sample is analysed using independently certified methods and is double checked for accuracy.
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4
Get your report
Easy-to-read results sent from us to your inbox.
Booking and results
Before and after your test.
How do I book my appointment?
After you order, you will receive an email with a link to book your appointment. You can choose the Chxhealth clinic in Lanchester, County Durham, or one of our 50+ UK partner and pop-up clinics. View all clinic locations.
Do I need to pay for the phlebotomist?
No. The phlebotomy fee is included in the price. There are no hidden costs at the appointment.
Do I need to fast before my blood test?
It isn’t required, but for tests that include glucose, lipids (cholesterol) or insulin, fasting is recommended for the best results. If you fast, drink water only. If you have diabetes or another medical condition, check with your GP before fasting. If you’d rather not fast, that’s fine: just let us know at your appointment.
Should I keep taking my medication before the test?
Yes, keep taking your medication as normal. Some medicines can affect particular markers; for example, blood thinners such as aspirin or warfarin can affect clotting tests. If you are unsure, contact us before booking.
Which laboratory analyses my sample?
Samples are analysed by Randox Laboratories, a UK clinical laboratory accredited by UKAS to ISO 15189.
How will I receive my results?
You will receive a plain-English PDF report by email. It shows each biomarker, your result, the reference range the laboratory uses and a short explanation of what each marker measures.
Can I share my results with my GP?
Yes. The PDF report is designed to be shared. You can email or print it for your GP or another healthcare professional.
Can this test diagnose a condition?
No. Chxhealth is a biomarker and genetic data provider; we do not diagnose, treat or prescribe. Your report shows where your results sit against the reference range, and anything outside the typical range is flagged so you can follow it up with a healthcare professional.
How is my health data handled?
Chxhealth complies with UK GDPR. Your personal data and results are stored in encrypted, UK-based systems and are never shared with third parties without your explicit consent. You can ask for your data to be exported or deleted at any time.
Can I cancel or get a refund?
If you cancel before your sample has been taken, we offer a full refund. Once your sample has been taken and sent to the laboratory, a refund is not possible because the lab work has been done. See our refund policy for full terms.
About this test
Questions about this test.
What does the Allergy First-Line Panel test for?
It measures IgE antibodies to 8 common allergens: cat epithelium and dander, dog epithelium, European house dust mite, egg white, milk, peanut, silver birch pollen and Timothy grass pollen. It also measures Total IgE, the overall amount of IgE in your blood, which helps put the individual allergen results in context.
How does the First-Line Panel compare with the other allergy panels?
It is the smallest general panel. Randox says its 8 allergens cover roughly 80% of common sensitisations in primary care. The Enhanced Panel adds hazelnut, cod, shrimp, soya, sesame, egg yolk, dog dander, mugwort pollen and a second dust mite, covering up to about 90%. The Complete Panel tests 63 allergens. There are also panels focused on food, pollen, pets or moulds.
Do I need to stop antihistamines before the First-Line Panel?
No. Antihistamines affect skin-prick testing because they dampen the skin's reaction, but they do not interfere with an IgE blood test in the same way. That is one reason a blood test can suit people who cannot easily stop their antihistamines. Keep taking any medicine you have been prescribed unless the clinician who prescribed it tells you otherwise.
Is the First-Line Panel better than a skin-prick test?
Neither is better in every case. A skin-prick test is done in clinic and read within minutes. A blood test measures IgE in a serum sample instead, so it can suit people who cannot stop antihistamines, have widespread eczema or are at higher risk of a severe reaction to testing. Both show sensitisation and both need reading alongside your symptoms.
What does a positive result on the First-Line Panel mean?
A positive result means your immune system has made IgE antibodies to that allergen. This is called sensitisation, and it is not the same as a confirmed allergy: some people are sensitised to grass pollen or cat and have no symptoms when exposed. A negative result makes an IgE allergy less likely but does not completely rule one out. A clinician should interpret your results alongside your symptoms and history.
How is the First-Line Panel different from the Chxhealth Food Sensitivity test?
They measure different antibodies. The First-Line Panel looks for IgE, the antibody behind immediate allergic reactions, to egg white, milk and peanut as well as the inhaled allergens. Food Sensitivity measures IgG to 207 foods. IgG is not IgE, and Food Sensitivity does not test for immediate allergy, so it cannot tell you whether you are allergic to a food. If you suspect a food allergy, an IgE test is the relevant one.
How long do First-Line Panel results take?
Results take up to 5 working days. Your sample is a venous blood draw (2 serum tubes), taken at the Chxhealth clinic in Lanchester, County Durham, or at one of our 50+ UK partner clinics. There is no at-home kit for this test. Your report shows your IgE result for each allergen on the panel and your Total IgE.
What happens after I get my First-Line Panel results?
Share your report with your GP or another clinician, who can read it alongside your symptoms. They may suggest further assessment or a referral to an NHS allergy clinic. Chxhealth does not diagnose, treat or prescribe. Please do not cut foods out of your diet or make big changes at home based on a result alone, without clinical advice.
Is this a subscription?
No. The price covers one test. If you would like to test again later, you simply book a new one.
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