Alternaria Alternata M6 IgG
It measures IgG antibodies to Alternaria mold to show prior exposure or sensitization, with convenient ordering and clear results through Vitals Vault/Quest.
This panel bundles multiple biomarker tests in one order—your report explains how results fit together.
Alternaria alternata is a common outdoor mold found in soil, decaying plants, and leaf litter. If you have ongoing nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, cough, or asthma flares that seem seasonal or worse around damp environments, your clinician may consider mold sensitization as one possible contributor.
The Alternaria Alternata M6 IgG test measures IgG antibodies in your blood that recognize Alternaria proteins. IgG results can help document immune exposure or sensitization patterns, but they do not, by themselves, diagnose “mold illness,” allergy, or the cause of your symptoms.
This page explains what the test measures, when it is useful, how to think about low, in-range, and high results, and what follow-up questions to bring to your clinician.
Do I need a Alternaria Alternata M6 IgG test?
You might consider this test if you are trying to clarify whether Alternaria exposure is part of your respiratory or sinus picture, especially when symptoms are persistent, recur in certain seasons, or worsen in damp or outdoor settings. People often look into Alternaria when they have allergic rhinitis-type symptoms (stuffy or runny nose, post-nasal drip, itchy eyes) or asthma that is harder to control.
This test can also be useful when you are comparing potential triggers and want objective data to discuss with your clinician, particularly if you have a history of mold sensitivity, frequent sinus infections, or you are evaluating environmental changes (for example, after water damage remediation or a move).
You may not need an Alternaria IgG test if your goal is to diagnose classic immediate allergy. In many cases, clinicians start with a targeted allergy evaluation that may include IgE testing and a symptom-focused history, because IgE is more directly tied to immediate-type allergic reactions.
Testing is most helpful when it supports clinician-directed care: your result should be interpreted alongside your symptoms, exam, and related labs rather than used as a standalone diagnosis.
This is a laboratory-developed immunoassay performed in a CLIA-certified lab; results support clinical assessment and are not a standalone diagnosis of allergy, infection, or “mold toxicity.”
Lab testing
Order labs to measure Alternaria alternata (m6) IgG
from $100.84 at Quest Diagnostics
About 1 week
Schedule online — results typically within a week
Clear next steps
Guidance included, with follow-up care available
HSA / FSA
Eligible for pre-tax health spending accounts
Get this test with Vitals Vault
Vitals Vault lets you order Alternaria Alternata M6 IgG testing without a referral and complete your blood draw through a national lab network. Once your results are back, you can review them in a clear format and keep them in one place for future comparisons.
If you are unsure how to interpret an IgG mold result, PocketMD can help you generate a focused set of questions for your next appointment, such as whether IgE testing, pulmonary testing, or a broader allergen panel would better match your symptoms.
If you are tracking changes over time—after seasonal shifts, environmental remediation, or treatment changes—Vitals Vault makes it straightforward to reorder and trend results so you and your clinician can look for patterns rather than relying on a single data point.
- Order online and schedule a local blood draw
- Results you can save, share, and trend over time
- PocketMD helps you prepare next-step questions
Key benefits of Alternaria Alternata M6 IgG testing
- Documents immune recognition of Alternaria alternata, which can support an exposure/sensitization discussion.
- Helps you compare suspected triggers when symptoms overlap (seasonal allergies, chronic rhinitis, asthma flares).
- Adds context when you are evaluating damp environments, outdoor exposures, or post-remediation changes.
- Can complement IgE-based allergy testing when your clinician is mapping a broader immune pattern.
- Supports trend tracking if you repeat testing at consistent times (for example, same season year to year).
- May help prioritize follow-up testing (such as broader mold panels or respiratory evaluation) based on your history.
- Gives you a concrete result you can review with PocketMD and bring to your clinician for next-step planning.
What is Alternaria Alternata M6 IgG?
Alternaria alternata is a widespread environmental mold. The “M6” designation refers to a standardized Alternaria allergen extract used in many laboratory immunoassays.
IgG (immunoglobulin G) is a class of antibodies your immune system can produce after exposure to many substances, including microbes and environmental proteins. An Alternaria M6 IgG test measures how strongly your blood antibodies bind to Alternaria proteins. In plain terms, it is a marker of immune exposure or sensitization—not a direct measurement of mold in your body.
Because IgG can rise with exposure even in people without symptoms, the most important part of interpretation is context: your symptom pattern, timing (seasonal vs year-round), any asthma or sinus disease, and whether other allergy markers (often IgE) align with what you feel day to day.
IgG vs IgE for mold
IgE is more closely linked to immediate allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, hives, and some asthma triggers. IgG can reflect exposure and immune recognition, but it does not prove that Alternaria is causing your symptoms. Some clinicians use IgG results as one piece of a broader picture, especially when symptoms are chronic or when exposure history is unclear.
What this test does not tell you
This test does not diagnose invasive fungal infection, and it does not measure “mycotoxin load.” It also cannot pinpoint where the exposure occurred (home, work, outdoors) or how recent it was. If your main concern is a serious infection or significant breathing issues, you should seek medical care promptly rather than relying on antibody testing.
What do my Alternaria Alternata M6 IgG results mean?
Low Alternaria Alternata M6 IgG
A low result generally means the test did not detect a meaningful IgG response to Alternaria at the time of testing. This can happen if you have had limited exposure, if your immune system did not mount a strong IgG response, or if Alternaria is simply not a major part of your immune profile. If you still have strong allergy-like symptoms, your clinician may consider IgE testing or evaluation for non-mold causes such as dust mites, pollen, irritants, reflux, or chronic sinus disease.
In-range (reference) Alternaria Alternata M6 IgG
An in-range result is typically interpreted as no significant elevation compared with the lab’s reference interval. It does not rule out mold-related symptoms, because symptoms can be driven by IgE mechanisms, non-allergic inflammation, or exposures not captured by this single antigen. If your symptoms are seasonal or exposure-linked, your clinician may still recommend broader testing or a targeted environmental history.
High Alternaria Alternata M6 IgG
A high result suggests stronger immune recognition of Alternaria, which is consistent with prior exposure and possible sensitization. It does not automatically mean Alternaria is the cause of your symptoms, but it can raise the priority of discussing mold exposure, timing of symptoms, and whether companion testing (often Alternaria-specific IgE or a broader mold panel) would clarify clinical relevance. If you have asthma, a higher result may be a reason to review control, triggers, and an action plan with your clinician.
Factors that influence Alternaria Alternata M6 IgG
Season and geography matter, because Alternaria exposure is often higher in warm, humid periods and in environments with decaying vegetation. Recent changes in environment (moving, water damage, remediation, outdoor work) can shift exposure patterns. Immune status and medications that affect immune function can influence antibody levels, and different labs may use different methods or reporting units, so trending is most meaningful when you use the same lab method over time.
What’s included
- Alternaria Alternata (M6) Igg
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does an Alternaria alternata IgG test show?
It shows whether your immune system has produced IgG antibodies that recognize Alternaria alternata proteins. This supports evidence of exposure or sensitization, but it does not prove that Alternaria is the cause of your symptoms.
Is Alternaria IgG the same as a mold allergy test?
Not exactly. IgE testing is more directly associated with immediate-type allergy symptoms. IgG can add context about exposure and immune recognition, but it is usually interpreted alongside symptoms and, when appropriate, IgE results.
Do I need to fast before an Alternaria M6 IgG blood test?
Fasting is not typically required for IgG antibody testing. If you are bundling this test with other labs (like lipids or glucose), follow the fasting instructions for the full panel you ordered.
What is a normal range for Alternaria IgG?
“Normal” depends on the laboratory method and how the result is reported (for example, an index value or concentration with a reference interval). Use the reference range printed on your report, and interpret it with your clinician based on your symptoms and history.
If my Alternaria IgG is high, do I have mold toxicity?
A high IgG result does not diagnose mold toxicity. It indicates immune recognition of Alternaria, which can occur with environmental exposure. If you are concerned about significant exposure or persistent symptoms, discuss a broader evaluation with your clinician.
When should I retest Alternaria IgG?
Retesting is most useful when you have a clear reason to compare over time, such as repeating in the same season, after a major environmental change, or after a clinician-guided plan. Many people wait several weeks to months so that any change is more interpretable.
What other tests are commonly ordered with Alternaria IgG?
Common companions include Alternaria-specific IgE, broader mold IgE panels, total IgE, and—depending on symptoms—spirometry or other asthma evaluation. Your clinician may also consider testing for other common triggers like dust mites or pollens.