Alex Allergy Test
Comprehensive allergy assessment with a single blood sample
What is the ALEX³ test?
ALEX³ is the third generation of the test. It has a panel of 300 allergens covering clinically relevant allergen sources and 85 allergen families. The panel includes 218 molecular allergens, 106 of which are exclusive to this test. This is the broadest range of molecular allergens available on the market.
By improving diagnostic quality, ALEX³ contributes to personalised, evidence-based treatment planning for each patient.
What does the panel assess?
The panel covers a wide range of allergens, including pollens, house dust mites, animals, moulds, foods and venoms from insects such as bees. Food allergens include those associated with milk, eggs, wheat, nuts, legumes and seafood. ALEX³ also assesses more than 218 molecular allergen components. The updated panel includes additional targets such as pine nuts, oak pollen and some new food and bee venom components.
What does molecular testing offer? For example, when a food gives a positive result, the test does more than identify the food; it may also help determine which protein is associated with the sensitisation. This information helps guide your doctor when distinguishing certain cross-reactions.
| Group | Allergen sources |
|---|---|
| Meadow and grass pollens | Bahia grass, Bermuda grass (couch grass), reed, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), rye, timothy grass |
| Tree pollens | Acacia, alder, Arizona cypress, ash, beech, poplar, cypress, date palm, elm, hazel, London plane, mountain cedar, mulberry, olive, paper mulberry, birch, Japanese cedar (sugi), tree of heaven, walnut |
| Weed pollens | Annual mercury (Mercurialis annua), hemp, goosefoot, mugwort, nettle, pigweed, ragweed, ribwort plantain, Russian thistle (Salsola kali), pellitory (Parietaria) |
| Animal epithelia and other animal sources | Cat, dog—including male dog urine—, cattle, Djungarian hamster, goat, guinea pig, horse, mouse, pig, rabbit, rat, sheep |
| House dust and storage mites | Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, Blomia tropicalis, Acarus siro, Glycyphagus domesticus, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae |
| Cockroaches | American cockroach, German cockroach |
| Moulds and yeasts | Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum, Malassezia sympodialis, Penicillium chrysogenum |
| Insect venoms | Honey bee, common wasp, paper wasp, long-headed wasp, fire ant |
| Cereals and seeds | Barley, buckwheat, maize, rye, fenugreek seed, millet, oats, poppy seed, pumpkin seed, quinoa, rice, sesame, spelt wheat, sunflower seed, wheat |
| Milk and eggs | Cow's, goat's, sheep's, mare's and camel's milk; egg white and egg yolk |
| Fruits | Apple, avocado, banana, blueberry, cherry, fig, grape, kiwi, mango, melon, orange, papaya, peach, pear, strawberry |
| Legumes | Chickpea, green bean, lentil, lupin seed, pea, peanut, soya |
| Tree nuts | Almond, Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pistachio, walnut |
| Meats | Beef, chicken, horse, lamb, pork, rabbit, turkey |
| Edible insects | House cricket, mealworm, migratory locust |
| Fish | Atlantic cod, Atlantic herring, Atlantic mackerel, carp, salmon, swordfish, ray, tuna |
| Crustaceans | Black tiger prawn, brown shrimp, northern prawn, shrimp mix, crab, lobster |
| Molluscs | Mussel, oyster, scallop, Venus clam (Venus clam), squid |
| Parasite-derived allergens | Anisakis simplex |
| Spices and aromatic herbs | Anise, caraway (Caraway), mustard, thyme, paprika, parsley |
| Vegetables | Carrot, celery, garlic, onion, potato, tomato |
| Others | Baker's yeast, human lactoferrin, latex, pigeon tick (Argas reflexus), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) |
Why is the ALEX³ test performed?
Your doctor may request ALEX³ if multiple allergens are suspected, if existing test results do not explain your symptoms, or if cross-reactions between foods and pollens need to be assessed. The results may also contribute to allergy treatment planning in suitable patients.
How is the sample collected?
At Wellcare Laboratories, a blood sample is taken from your arm. The test is performed using serum obtained from this sample.
When will the results be ready?
The Eurofins Biomnis ALEX³ test guide states an analysis time of approximately 2 weeks. The total time may vary due to sample shipment; you will be informed of the estimated reporting date when your sample is collected.
Results should be evaluated together with your doctor. The detection of IgE against an allergen does not necessarily mean that the allergen causes symptoms in you. A diagnosis is made based on your symptoms, medical history and, when necessary, other tests.
Contact Wellcare Laboratories for information about ALEX³ or to schedule a blood draw appointment.
About the ALEX³ Allergy Test
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ALEX³ allergy test?
ALEX³ is a third-generation molecular allergy test that measures specific IgE antibodies to a wide range of allergens and total IgE levels in a single blood sample. It helps determine the allergic sensitisation profile and investigate possible causes of symptoms. Wellcare Laboratories uses the ALEX³ system.
How many allergens does ALEX³ test, and what does the panel include?
ALEX³ includes a total of 300 allergens: 218 molecular allergens and 82 allergen extracts. It assesses pollens, house dust mites, animal-derived allergens, moulds, bee and wasp venoms, and latex, as well as allergens associated with foods such as milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts and seafood. This number does not mean 300 different diseases or 300 different foods.
How does molecular allergy testing differ from other allergy tests?
Molecular analysis investigates not only which allergen source a person is sensitised to, but also which proteins within that source have triggered IgE production. For example, it can distinguish between responses to different peanut proteins. This information may help explain cross-reactivity and support treatment or allergen immunotherapy planning in suitable patients.
Who may be suitable for the ALEX³ test?
It may be used following a doctor's assessment for allergic rhinitis, itchy and watery eyes, suspected allergic asthma or reactions occurring after certain foods. It may be particularly useful when multiple allergens are suspected or existing tests are difficult to interpret. Routine screening is not necessary for everyone without symptoms.
Can the ALEX³ test be performed in children?
Yes. It can also be performed in children according to clinical need. The choice of test takes into account the child's age, symptoms and their relationship to foods or environmental factors. Particularly in children, unnecessary food restrictions should not be imposed solely on the basis of a positive test result.
How is a sample collected for ALEX³? Do I need to fast or stop taking allergy medicines?
A blood sample taken from the arm is sufficient; no allergens are applied to the skin during the test. Fasting is generally not required, and antihistamines do not usually need to be stopped. Inform the laboratory and your doctor about any medicines you take; do not stop taking them on your own initiative. If other tests are scheduled for the same day, their preparation requirements should be followed.
Am I allergic to every substance that tests positive on ALEX³?
No. A positive result indicates sensitisation to the relevant allergen; it does not, on its own, establish a diagnosis of clinical allergy. Results are assessed together with the symptoms that occur on exposure to that substance and the medical history. The IgE level alone also does not definitively indicate the severity of a future reaction.
Does ALEX³ detect food intolerance or all allergies?
No. ALEX³ helps assess IgE-mediated allergies covered by the panel. It is not a comprehensive test for lactose intolerance, coeliac disease, all drug allergies or contact allergies. A negative result does not rule out all allergic conditions either; further investigations may be needed depending on the symptoms.
Where can I have the ALEX³ test in Northern Cyprus, and how much does it cost?
For information about the ALEX³ test and sample collection, you can visit the Wellcare Laboratories branches at Wellcare Health Clinic and Miracle Hospital in Nicosia, or the branch at Medicalport Tunççevik Hospital in Kyrenia. Please contact us for the current price, preparation requirements and turnaround time.
Other allergy panels
Allergy Test PanelsBlood
- Food Allergy Panel – 35 Parameters
- Respiratory Allergy Panel – 26 Parameters
- Beta-Lactam (Penicillin) Antibiotic Allergy Panel – 5 Parameters
- NSAID and Paracetamol Allergy Panel – 5 Parameters
- Occupational Allergens Panel – 7 Parameters
- Bee Venom and Insect Allergy Profile – 7 Parameters
- Gluten Allergy and Intolerance Profile – 9 Parameters