Individual Allergen - WEED POLLENS

This test allows you to check for a specific allergy (IgE) response to individual weed pollens, a common cause of hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Weed pollen allergy often causes sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy or watery eyes, typically from late summer into autumn. You can select the individual weed pollens you wish to test for from the list below.

How it works

• Choose the individual weed pollens you would like to test from the list below
• Each item is priced per marker, and you can select as many as you need
• A single blood sample is used to test all your chosen items

An important note on interpretation

This test measures the allergy (IgE) antibody response to a substance. A positive result indicates sensitisation, meaning your immune system has produced antibodies to that pollen, but it is always interpreted alongside your symptoms and when they occur. A positive result that matches your seasonal symptoms is more meaningful than one on its own, as some people are sensitised without troublesome symptoms. Many weed pollens are related and can cross-react, so it is common to react to several at once. Any results are best discussed with your GP or an allergy specialist, who can consider them alongside your history and advise on treatment.

Why it matters

Weed pollen is a common cause of late-season hay fever. Identifying which pollens you react to can help confirm the cause of your symptoms and guide management, from avoidance measures and medication to, in some cases, longer-term treatments such as immunotherapy. Understanding your specific sensitivities is a useful step towards better control of your symptoms.

Allergens to choose from:
- Common ragweed (W01)
- Western ragweed (W02)
- Giant ragweed (W03)
- Wormwood (W05)
- Mugwort (W06)
- Ox-eye daisy (W07)
- Dandelion (W08)
- English plantain (W09)
- Lamb's quarters (W10)
- Russian thistle (W11)
- Cocklebur (W13)
- Rough pigweed (W14)
- Scale / Atriplex lentiformis (W15)
- Marsh elder / Iva ciliata (W16)
- Sheep sorrel (W18)
- Nettle (W20)
- Parietaria officinalis (W19)
- Parietaria judaica (W21)
- Japanese hops (W90)

No special preparation required.

For blood tests, we recommend drinking plenty of water beforehand to ensure smooth sample collection. If you are taking any regular medication, continue to do so unless advised otherwise by your doctor.