Diagnostics › Allergy Testing › ALEX Allergy Test
Advanced allergy testingALEX Allergy Test in Preston
Unexplained allergy symptoms are difficult to guess at. The ALEX3 test checks 300 allergens from a single blood sample, with results explained by Dr Faizal rather than handed over as a list of numbers.
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What is the ALEX Allergy Test?
ALEX stands for Allergy Explorer. It is an advanced blood test that measures total IgE and specific IgE against 300 allergens from 85 allergen families, including 218 individual molecular components, all from a single blood sample. At My Private Clinic in Fulwood, Preston the test is £350 and includes a free follow-up appointment where Dr Faizal explains your results.
Instead of testing for one allergen at a time, this advanced diagnostic test looks for a very broad range of allergic triggers at once. This detailed allergy testing can tell you which specific protein in a food is triggering your immune system, rather than simply naming the food.
The NHS also offers an ALEX blood test, though often an older version and with a longer turnaround time.
Before the test, Dr Faizal Secretary can review your symptoms and history in a same-day GP consultation to decide whether this is the right test for you, and it finishes with a genuine conversation about what your results actually indicate.
Reviewed by Dr Faizal Secretary, MRCGP · GMC 7606534 · CQC Registered · Last updated: August 2026
ALEX 2 and ALEX 3: what is the difference?
ALEX, ALEX2 and ALEX3 are not different tests. They are generations of the same platform, each more advanced than the last.
| Test | Allergens tested | Molecular components | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALEX | 150 | 125 | First generation. |
| ALEX2 | 295 | 178 | Added a step to reduce false-positive results usually caused by similar carbohydrates. |
| ALEX3 | 300 | 218 | Most comprehensive version. This is the one we use. |
The version numbers refer to laboratory technology upgrades, not different tiers of test you choose between. At My Private Clinic we use the advanced ALEX3 allergy test, the latest and most complete version of the platform.
What does the ALEX test cover?
A single blood sample is tested against a wide range of allergens, including:
Milk allergy test
Proteins in cow’s milk and dairy products.
Nut allergy test
Peanut, tree nuts and seeds.
Other food allergens
Eggs, shellfish and fish, wheat and gluten, soya, sesame, fruits and legumes.
Inhalant allergens
House dust mites, grass, tree and weed pollens, indoor moulds, and animal dander from cats, dogs or horses.
Insect venom
Bee and wasp stings.
Latex
Natural rubber latex proteins.
Molecular components
Over 200 purified allergy-causing proteins, which is what separates a true allergy from cross-reactivity.
The molecular detail matters most for patients with pollen food syndrome, sometimes called oral allergy syndrome. Anaphylaxis UK describes this as an immediate allergic reaction affecting the lips, mouth and throat after reacting to a protein in certain fruits or vegetables. NHS pathology guidance on the ALEX3 platform notes it is particularly suited to complex, polysensitised patients who react to multiple seemingly unrelated allergens, precisely because component testing can separate a genuinely causative allergen from cross-reactivity.
Who should consider the ALEX allergy test?
You may want to consider the ALEX3 test at My Private Clinic if you:
- Have multiple allergy symptoms and want testing that covers a broad range of allergens
- Have hay fever along with reactions to certain fruits or vegetables
- Suspect a food allergy but are not sure which food is responsible
- Want to distinguish a genuine allergy from cross-reactivity before changing your diet
- Have previously had an IgG intolerance test that was not helpful
You can also discuss your child’s allergy symptoms with Dr Faizal under our children’s health service, or ask about hay fever treatment for yourself.
ALEX allergy test for children
Allergies are very common in childhood, and pinning down the cause of hives, flare-ups or reactions to certain foods can be harder in children than in adults.
We provide the advanced ALEX3 allergy test for children as well. Published research has examined the test’s accuracy in children, including in peanut-sensitised children, two of the most common areas of paediatric concern.
A single blood sample is sent to an accredited UK laboratory, results are available in 3 to 5 working days, and where needed Dr Faizal will guide you towards the right management.
How is the ALEX test different from other allergy tests?
- Skin prick testA trusted way to test for allergies, but you usually need to stop antihistamines beforehand, and fewer allergens can be tested at once.
- ALEX3 blood testNeeds a single blood sample, checks a large number of allergens at once, and you do not usually need to stop your regular medicines.
- IgG food intolerance testDifferent, and not a test for allergy. NICE advises that IgG and IgG4 testing should not be used to diagnose food allergy; an allergy-focused clinical history and IgE-based testing is recommended instead.
This reflects NICE guidance on food allergy assessment. If you are confused about a previous test result, Dr Faizal will listen to your concerns, assess your symptoms and advise whether the ALEX allergy test is the right option.
ALEX allergy test price: what’s included
The ALEX allergy test price at My Private Clinic is £350. The blood draw, laboratory analysis at an accredited UK lab and your follow-up results appointment are all included at no extra charge.
For all other consultation and treatment charges, see the pricing page.
Your ALEX allergy test journey
Book an appointment
You visit the clinic on your booked slot for the test, and can discuss your symptoms with Dr Faizal at the same time.
Blood draw
A single blood sample is taken in clinic and sent to an accredited UK laboratory for ALEX testing.
Results appointment
Results are available in 3 to 5 working days. Dr Faizal discusses them with you and guides you on what to do next.
If you or your child cannot make it to the clinic, you can book a home visit instead.
The next step if the ALEX3 test confirms an allergy
If your results confirm an allergy, Dr Faizal will talk you through how to avoid the allergens involved and, where clinically appropriate, prescribe treatment for allergy or hay fever. You will also receive practical guidance on managing day-to-day exposure.
If your results suggest a severe reaction where immunotherapy may be appropriate, Dr Faizal will arrange a specialist referral so you receive the right expert care.
If you have not had a general check-up recently, it may also be worth considering a full health MOT or a full blood count. Dr Faizal will confirm what is appropriate.
Dr Faizal Secretary
BSc (Hons) · MBChB · MRCGP · GMC 7606534
Dr Faizal Secretary is a GMC-registered GP based in Fulwood, Preston. Trained in the UK with a medical degree from the University of Manchester, he holds a BSc with Distinction from Imperial College London, is a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and has experience across both NHS and private general practice.
Dr Faizal takes the blood sample, sends it to the laboratory, interprets and explains your results, and guides you on the right next step. CQC registered · GMC verified · seeing patients in Preston since 2017.
FAQs on the ALEX allergy test
How accurate is the ALEX allergy test?
The ALEX (Allergy Explorer) test is a highly sensitive and specific multiplex blood test. Clinical studies have shown over 88 to 91% specificity for certain allergens, but a positive result does not always mean you have a clinical allergy. Your result is always discussed with Dr Faizal to confirm what it means for you.
Does the ALEX test check for a nut allergy?
Yes. Nut allergy testing is included as standard within the ALEX3 panel, which covers peanut and the main tree nuts including almond, hazelnut, walnut, cashew and Brazil nut.
Does the ALEX test check for a milk allergy?
Yes. Cow’s milk allergy markers are included within the standard ALEX3 panel. This is a distinct test from a lactose intolerance test: milk allergy is an immune (IgE) reaction to milk proteins, whereas lactose intolerance is a digestive issue with no allergic component. The two require different treatment.
Can the ALEX test check for food intolerances as well as allergies?
No. Food intolerances are not reliably diagnosed by IgE blood testing. If your symptoms sound more like intolerance than allergy, Dr Faizal will discuss more appropriate approaches with you, including elimination diets where relevant.
Will Dr Faizal discuss my results with me?
Yes. You will not simply be sent a sheet of numbers. A follow-up appointment is included, where Dr Faizal interprets your results, helps you understand them, and advises on the right next step.
What is the turnaround time?
You will usually receive your ALEX allergy test results within 3 to 5 working days.
Is any preparation required before the ALEX allergy test?
No preparation is required. You do not need to stop any medication or fast before the test.
What does a 3 mean on an allergy test?
Laboratories often report specific IgE results on a numbered scale to indicate the strength of your immune response. These scales vary between laboratories and are not a direct measure of how severe a real-world reaction would be, so a class 3 result should always be discussed with your doctor rather than interpreted alone.
What level of IgE is concerning?
There is no single IgE level that applies to everyone. A concerning result depends on the specific allergen, your symptoms and your medical history, which is exactly why every result at My Private Clinic is explained in a follow-up appointment rather than sent through on its own.
What are the rarest allergies?
Allergies to water, sunlight and proteins in human semen are among the rarest recorded.
How much does an ALEX allergy test cost?
At My Private Clinic the ALEX3 allergy test is £350. The blood draw, laboratory analysis at an accredited UK lab and the follow-up results appointment are all included in that price. An initial 30-minute consultation is £119 if you would like to confirm the test is right for your symptoms first.
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Get a private ALEX allergy test in Preston
Whether you are investigating one suspected allergy or want the full picture in a single comprehensive test, Dr Faizal Secretary can confirm whether the ALEX test is right for you and explain your results in full.
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Fatima Health Centre
228 Garstang Road
Fulwood, Preston
PR2 9QB
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