ALEX3 Allergy Testing in Surbiton — 300 Allergens from One Blood Test

The UK's most comprehensive allergy test. Screen 300 allergens including 218 molecular allergens from a single blood draw. Understand your allergies at the molecular level.

What is the ALEX3 Allergy Test?

ALEX3 (Allergy Explorer 3) represents the most advanced comprehensive allergy testing technology available today. Unlike traditional allergy tests that screen a limited number of allergens, ALEX3 tests for an extraordinary 300 allergens — including 218 molecular allergen components — from a single blood sample.

This revolutionary test doesn't just tell you what you're allergic to; it identifies the specific proteins causing your reactions. This molecular-level insight is crucial for understanding the severity of your allergies, predicting cross-reactions between different allergens, and developing an effective management strategy.

At Lambert Medical Practice, we're proud to offer ALEX3 testing as part of our commitment to providing cutting-edge diagnostics to patients in Surbiton, Tolworth, Kingston, and the wider Surrey area.

ALEX3 at a Glance

  • 300 allergens tested
  • 218 molecular components
  • Single blood draw
  • No antihistamine withdrawal needed
  • Results in 7-10 days
  • GP consultation available separately
  • Comprehensive report
  • All-inclusive price: £295

How ALEX3 Differs from Standard Allergy Tests

Traditional allergy testing methods have significant limitations that ALEX3 overcomes:

Skin Prick Tests

Skin prick tests are commonly used but only test 20-40 allergens at a time. They require you to stop taking antihistamines for several days beforehand, can be uncomfortable, and cannot distinguish between true allergies and cross-reactive responses. Results can be affected by skin conditions and medication use.

Standard Blood Tests (Specific IgE)

Traditional blood allergy tests measure IgE antibodies to whole allergen extracts. While more comprehensive than skin prick tests, they still miss the molecular detail that determines allergy severity and cross-reactivity patterns.

The ALEX3 Advantage

ALEX3 uses microarray technology to test 300 allergens simultaneously, including both whole allergen extracts and individual molecular components. This provides:

  • Component-Resolved Diagnostics: Identifies the exact protein molecules causing your allergic reactions
  • Cross-Reactivity Mapping: Explains why you might react to multiple foods or environmental allergens
  • Risk Stratification: Helps predict the likely severity of allergic reactions
  • Immunotherapy Guidance: Provides information needed to assess suitability for desensitisation treatments

What Allergens Does ALEX3 Test For?

ALEX3 provides comprehensive coverage across all major allergen categories:

Food Allergens

ALEX3 tests for an extensive range of food allergens, helping identify both primary sensitisations and cross-reactive patterns:

  • Nuts: Peanut, tree nuts (almond, hazelnut, walnut, cashew, pistachio, Brazil nut, macadamia, pecan)
  • Dairy: Cow's milk proteins (casein, whey), goat's milk, sheep's milk
  • Eggs: Egg white, egg yolk (raw and cooked proteins)
  • Seafood: Fish (cod, salmon, tuna, mackerel), shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster, mussel, oyster, squid)
  • Wheat & Grains: Wheat, gluten, rye, barley, oats, rice, corn, buckwheat
  • Fruits: Apple, peach, kiwi, banana, melon, strawberry, citrus fruits, tropical fruits
  • Vegetables: Celery, carrot, tomato, potato, soy, legumes, lentils
  • Seeds: Sesame, sunflower, poppy, mustard
  • Spices: Various culinary spices and herbs

Environmental Allergens

Comprehensive testing for airborne and environmental allergens:

  • Pollens: Grass pollens, tree pollens (birch, oak, alder, hazel, olive), weed pollens (ragweed, mugwort, plantain)
  • House Dust Mites: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, storage mites
  • Moulds: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium
  • Animal Dander: Cat, dog, horse, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit, mouse, rat
  • Cockroach: German cockroach allergens

Insect Venom Allergens

Important for assessing anaphylaxis risk from insect stings:

  • Honeybee venom
  • Wasp venom (common wasp and paper wasp)
  • Hornet venom

Latex & Other Allergens

  • Natural rubber latex (Hevea brasiliensis)
  • Anisakis (fish parasite — important for raw fish consumers)

Understanding Molecular Allergy Testing

The power of ALEX3 lies in its ability to identify specific allergenic molecules (components) rather than just whole allergen extracts. Here's why this matters:

Primary vs Cross-Reactive Allergies

When you react to a food or environmental allergen, it might be due to a primary sensitisation (a genuine allergy to that specific source) or a cross-reaction (where similar proteins in different allergens cause reactions).

For example, many people with birch pollen allergy also react to apples, peaches, and hazelnuts. This is because these foods contain proteins similar to the main birch pollen allergen (Bet v 1). These cross-reactive proteins are typically heat-labile, meaning cooked versions of these foods may be tolerated.

Clinical Significance

Different molecular components predict different risks:

  • Storage proteins (like peanut Ara h 2) are associated with severe systemic reactions
  • PR-10 proteins (like apple Mal d 1) typically cause milder oral symptoms
  • Lipid Transfer Proteins (LTPs) can cause severe reactions and are heat-stable

ALEX3 identifies which components you're sensitised to, helping your doctor predict reaction severity and advise on safe food handling.

Who Should Get an ALEX3 Allergy Test?

ALEX3 is ideal for anyone experiencing allergic symptoms, particularly if:

Symptoms Suggesting Allergies

  • Respiratory: Hay fever, allergic rhinitis, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, asthma, wheezing
  • Skin: Eczema, hives (urticaria), itching, angioedema (swelling)
  • Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhoea after eating certain foods
  • Oral Allergy Syndrome: Itching or tingling in mouth/throat after eating certain fruits or vegetables
  • Anaphylaxis: History of severe allergic reactions

Situations Where ALEX3 is Particularly Valuable

  • Multiple or unclear allergic reactions
  • Standard allergy tests haven't provided clear answers
  • You need to understand cross-reactivity patterns
  • Assessing risk before immunotherapy
  • Unexplained food reactions despite negative standard tests
  • Planning dietary modifications or reintroductions
  • Travel planning (identifying allergens in different cuisines)

Allergy Testing for Children at Lambert Medical

Allergies in children are extremely common — and often more difficult to manage than in adults because children cannot always describe their symptoms clearly, and dietary restrictions can affect growth, nutrition, and school life. Getting a precise picture of what a child is genuinely allergic to (versus what they're merely sensitised to) is one of the most useful things allergy testing can do for a family.

At Lambert Medical, we offer allergy testing for children of all ages, and we tailor the approach to the individual child.

ALEX3 Blood Test

A single blood draw tests 300 allergens in one appointment — no multiple needle pricks, no antihistamine withdrawal, no waiting across several sessions. For older children and teenagers who tolerate a standard venepuncture, ALEX3 provides the most comprehensive picture available.

Available for children from approximately 5 years · £295

Skin Prick Testing

For younger children or those where a blood draw is not appropriate, we offer skin prick testing as an alternative. Small drops of allergen solution are placed on the forearm and a lancet is used to introduce a tiny amount just under the skin. It is quick, well tolerated by most children, and gives immediate results in clinic.

Suitable from any age · £295

Which Test Is Right for Your Child?

Our GP will advise on the most appropriate approach at your child's initial appointment, taking into account their age, the nature of their symptoms, and how they're likely to respond to each method. The two approaches are not mutually exclusive — skin prick testing can be used to confirm or complement ALEX3 findings in specific situations.

Common reasons parents bring children for allergy testing:
  • Suspected food allergy (peanut, milk, egg, wheat, tree nuts)
  • Eczema that doesn't respond to standard treatment
  • Hay fever severe enough to affect school or sleep
  • Asthma with a suspected allergic trigger
  • A previous reaction where the trigger was unclear
  • Multiple food restrictions already in place and a need to know what's genuinely necessary

Both ALEX3 and skin prick testing for children are priced at £295 all-inclusive, which covers the test itself and a GP consultation to discuss the results and agree a management plan with you as the parent or carer.

What Happens After Your ALEX3 Results

Your ALEX3 test at Lambert Medical Practice includes a comprehensive follow-up process:

  1. Results Analysis: Our team reviews your comprehensive ALEX3 report
  2. GP Consultation: A dedicated appointment to discuss your results in detail — bookable separately at an additional cost
  3. Personalised Report: You'll receive a detailed breakdown of all your sensitisations
  4. Management Plan: Practical advice on allergen avoidance, dietary modifications, and emergency planning if needed
  5. Referral if Needed: For complex cases or immunotherapy consideration, we can arrange specialist referrals

ALEX3 Allergy Testing Price

We offer ALEX3 testing at a competitive, all-inclusive price:

Book ALEX3 Testing

300 allergens, one blood test. Results in 7-10 days. GP consultation bookable separately.

Book Online — £295 0208 133 5694

Why ALEX3?

  • 300 allergens tested
  • Molecular-level precision
  • Single blood draw
  • No fasting required
  • Continue antihistamines

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ALEX3 Allergy Testing FAQs

Common questions about our comprehensive allergy testing service.

ALEX3 (Allergy Explorer 3) is the most comprehensive allergy test available, screening 300 allergens including 218 molecular allergen components from a single blood draw. It tests for food allergies, environmental allergies (pollens, dust mites, moulds, animal dander), insect venoms, and latex. The molecular-level analysis identifies the specific proteins causing your reactions, helping predict severity and cross-reactivity.

ALEX3 allergy testing at Lambert Medical Practice costs £295. This covers the blood draw, laboratory analysis of all 300 allergens (including 218 molecular components), and a comprehensive results report. A GP consultation to discuss your results and create a personalised management plan is available separately at an additional cost.

Standard skin prick tests typically test 20-40 allergens and cannot distinguish between true allergies and cross-reactions. ALEX3 tests 300 allergens at the molecular level, identifying the exact proteins causing your reactions. This helps predict reaction severity (certain proteins indicate higher anaphylaxis risk) and explains cross-reactivity patterns (why you might react to multiple foods). Unlike skin prick tests, ALEX3 doesn't require stopping antihistamines.

ALEX3 results are typically available within 7-10 working days. The analysis is performed at a specialist laboratory using advanced microarray technology. Once your results are ready, we'll contact you to arrange a GP consultation to discuss your findings and create a management plan.

ALEX3 is ideal for anyone experiencing allergic symptoms including hay fever, food reactions, skin rashes, eczema, asthma, unexplained itching, or previous anaphylaxis. It's particularly useful when you have multiple or unclear reactions, standard tests haven't provided answers, you need to understand cross-reactivity patterns, or you're considering immunotherapy.

No, this is one of the advantages of ALEX3 over skin prick testing. ALEX3 is a blood test that measures IgE antibodies, which are not affected by antihistamine medication. You can continue taking your regular antihistamines, hay fever medications, and other allergy treatments before and after the test.

Yes. We offer allergy testing for children of all ages at Lambert Medical. For older children who tolerate a blood draw, ALEX3 provides the most comprehensive picture available — 300 allergens from a single sample, no multiple needle pricks, and no need to stop antihistamines. For younger children or those for whom a blood draw is not suitable, we also offer skin prick testing, which is well tolerated by most children and gives immediate results in the clinic. Both options are priced at £295 all-inclusive, covering the test and a GP consultation with you as the parent or carer to discuss the results and agree a management plan.

Yes. In addition to ALEX3 blood testing, Lambert Medical offers skin prick testing as an alternative approach — particularly for younger children or those where a blood draw is not preferred. Skin prick testing involves placing small drops of allergen solution on the forearm and using a fine lancet to introduce a tiny amount just under the skin. It is quick, causes minimal discomfort, and provides results within 15–20 minutes in clinic. This makes it a practical option for children who may find waiting several days for blood test results distressing, or where immediate clinical decision-making is needed. Skin prick testing for children is priced at £295, the same as ALEX3. A GP consultation to discuss the findings is available separately at an additional cost.

What Our Patients Say

Read reviews from patients who have had allergy testing at our clinic.

Ready to Understand Your Allergies?

Book your ALEX3 allergy test today and discover exactly what's causing your symptoms. 300 allergens, one blood test.