One of the UK's most comprehensive allergy tests. Screen 300 allergens including 218 molecular allergens from a single blood draw. Understand your allergies at the molecular level.
ALEX3 (Allergy Explorer 3) is one of the most advanced allergy testing technologies 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 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.
Traditional allergy testing methods have limitations. Here's how ALEX3 compares:
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.
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.
ALEX3 uses microarray technology to test 300 allergens simultaneously, including both whole allergen extracts and individual molecular components. This provides:
ALEX3 provides comprehensive coverage across all major allergen categories:
ALEX3 tests for an extensive range of food allergens, helping identify both primary sensitisations and cross-reactive patterns:
Comprehensive testing for airborne and environmental allergens:
Important for assessing anaphylaxis risk from insect stings:
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:
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.
Different molecular components predict different risks:
ALEX3 identifies which components you're sensitised to, helping your doctor predict reaction severity and advise on safe food handling.
ALEX3 is ideal for anyone experiencing allergic symptoms, particularly if:
ALEX3 is also used within the NHS — for example, by South Tees NHS Foundation Trust and Great Ormond Street Hospital — typically for complex allergy cases where standard testing hasn't given a clear answer.
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.
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
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
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.
Both ALEX3 and skin prick testing for children are priced at £295, covering the test itself and a personalised results report. A GP consultation to discuss the results and agree a management plan is available separately at an additional cost.
Your ALEX3 test at Lambert Medical Practice includes a comprehensive follow-up process:
ALEX3 is supported by a growing body of peer-reviewed clinical research into its use in allergy diagnosis. The current generation of the test was developed drawing on data from almost 400,000 real-world results using its predecessor platform. As with all allergy tests, diagnostic performance varies by individual allergen — which is why results are best interpreted by a clinician alongside your clinical history, rather than read in isolation.
ALEX3 measures antibodies (specific IgE) already circulating in your blood. In a small number of people, total IgE levels are naturally low, which can mean a genuine allergy doesn't register on this test even though it would on a skin-prick test. This is a recognised limitation of blood-based allergy testing generally, not unique to ALEX3.
It's one of the reasons we recommend discussing your results with a GP, particularly if a result doesn't match your history or previous reactions — a negative result should never be treated as ruling out a known or suspected allergy.
ALEX3 testing at Lambert Medical Practice covers the blood draw, full laboratory analysis, and a comprehensive results report:
£295
Blood draw, analysis & report
GP consultation to discuss results — available to add at an additional cost
300 allergens, one blood test. Results in 7-10 days. GP consultation bookable separately.
Book Online — £295 0208 133 5694Common questions about our comprehensive allergy testing service.
Read reviews from patients who have had allergy testing at our clinic.
Book your ALEX3 allergy test today and discover exactly what's causing your symptoms. 300 allergens, one blood test.