Bumble Bee Venom (Bombus terrestris) i205 IgE Biomarker Testing
It measures IgE sensitization to bumble bee venom to help assess sting-allergy risk, with convenient ordering and clear results through Vitals Vault/Quest.
With Vitals Vault, you have access to a comprehensive range of biomarker tests.
This test measures whether your immune system has made IgE antibodies to bumble bee venom (Bombus terrestris), reported as “i205.” IgE is the allergy antibody that can trigger fast reactions after a sting.
A positive result does not automatically mean you will have anaphylaxis, and a negative result does not completely rule out sting allergy. The value is in combining the number with your sting history and, when needed, related venom tests.
If you are a beekeeper, work around pollinators, or had a concerning reaction after a sting, this blood test can help your clinician decide what follow-up makes sense, including avoidance planning, epinephrine readiness, or referral for venom allergy evaluation.
Do I need a Bumble Bee Venom (Bombus terrestris) i205 IgE test?
You may want this test if you had symptoms within minutes to a few hours after a sting that felt more than “local swelling.” Concerning patterns include widespread hives, facial or throat swelling, wheezing, chest tightness, dizziness, fainting, vomiting, or needing urgent care.
It can also be useful if you have frequent exposure risk (for example, beekeeping, greenhouse work, farming, landscaping, or outdoor field work) and you want a clearer picture of sensitization before the next sting. In some regions, bumble bees are used for commercial pollination, which can increase exposure.
This test is not meant to diagnose allergy on its own. Your clinician typically interprets it alongside your reaction history and, when appropriate, other venom-specific IgE tests or skin testing to guide a safe plan.
This is a laboratory-developed, CLIA-validated blood test for allergen-specific IgE; results support clinical decision-making but do not diagnose sting allergy by themselves.
Lab testing
Order labs to measure Bumble Bee Venom (Bombus terrestris) (i205) IgE
from $19.99 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 bumble bee venom (Bombus terrestris) i205 IgE testing without needing a separate lab visit planning process. You complete checkout, get routed to a local draw site, and then receive a clear lab report when results are ready.
If you are unsure how to interpret your number, PocketMD can help you turn the result into next steps to discuss with your clinician, such as whether to add related venom tests, how to think about reaction severity, and when retesting is reasonable.
This is especially helpful when you are comparing options (single allergen vs broader venom or allergy panels) and you want a plan that matches your exposure risk and symptoms rather than guessing.
- Order online and draw at a local lab location
- Results you can share directly with your clinician
- PocketMD guidance for follow-up questions and retest timing
Key benefits of Bumble Bee Venom (Bombus terrestris) i205 IgE testing
- Helps clarify whether you are sensitized to bumble bee venom after a sting reaction.
- Supports risk discussions about future stings when your exposure is ongoing (work or hobbies).
- Can help differentiate bumble bee sensitization from other Hymenoptera venoms when paired with related tests.
- Provides an objective data point when symptoms were unclear or happened alongside exercise, alcohol, or medications.
- Helps guide whether allergy specialist evaluation and additional testing may be worthwhile.
- Can be used as part of monitoring when you are undergoing venom immunotherapy, if your allergist orders it.
- Creates a baseline you can trend over time in the same lab system when your exposure or symptoms change.
What is Bumble Bee Venom (Bombus terrestris) i205 IgE?
Bumble Bee Venom (Bombus terrestris) i205 IgE is a blood test that measures allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) directed against proteins found in bumble bee venom. If your immune system has become sensitized, it may produce IgE that can bind to mast cells and basophils and trigger release of histamine and other mediators during a sting.
The result is typically reported as a concentration (often in kU/L) and sometimes grouped into “classes” by the lab. Higher values generally indicate stronger sensitization, but they do not perfectly predict how severe a reaction will be.
Because different stinging insects share some similar proteins, cross-reactivity can occur. That is why your history (what insect you were stung by, what happened, and how quickly) and companion testing often matter as much as the single number.
Sensitization vs allergy symptoms
Sensitization means your immune system has IgE that recognizes bumble bee venom. Allergy symptoms happen when that sensitization leads to a clinical reaction after a sting. You can be sensitized and never have a systemic reaction, and you can also have a reaction with low or even undetectable IgE if testing was done too early or the relevant allergen was not captured.
Why this test is species-specific
“Bombus terrestris” refers to a bumble bee species commonly used in commercial pollination. Species-specific IgE testing can be helpful when exposure is occupational or when the suspected insect is not a honeybee or wasp. Your clinician may still order a broader venom workup if the culprit insect is uncertain.
What do my Bumble Bee Venom (Bombus terrestris) i205 IgE results mean?
Low or undetectable i205 IgE
A low result suggests no measurable sensitization to Bombus terrestris venom at the time of testing. If you had a convincing systemic reaction, a low value does not fully rule out venom allergy, especially if the blood draw was soon after the sting or if a different insect was responsible. In that situation, your clinician may consider testing other venoms, repeating testing later, or referring for skin testing.
In-range (lab-reported negative) i205 IgE
Many labs report a reference range where values below a cutoff are considered negative. If your result falls in that range and your sting reaction was mild and local, this can be reassuring. If your history suggests a systemic reaction, the next step is usually not to ignore symptoms, but to broaden the evaluation to other venoms and review your emergency plan.
Elevated i205 IgE
An elevated result indicates sensitization to bumble bee venom and supports that a sting could trigger an IgE-mediated reaction. The number alone cannot predict severity, but higher levels can increase suspicion when your history includes rapid-onset hives, breathing symptoms, or low blood pressure symptoms. Your clinician may discuss avoidance, carrying epinephrine if appropriate, and whether an allergy specialist evaluation for venom immunotherapy is indicated.
Factors that influence i205 IgE results
Timing matters: IgE levels can change after a sting, and testing very soon after a reaction may miss sensitization in some people. Cross-reactivity with other stinging insects or shared carbohydrate structures can sometimes contribute to positive results that do not match your real-world reactions. Medications do not usually suppress blood IgE the way they can affect skin testing, but immune conditions and very high total IgE can complicate interpretation. Lab methods and cutoffs vary, so it helps to compare results within the same lab system when trending.
What’s included
- Bumble Bee Venom (I205) Ige
Similar or related tests
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fast for a bumble bee venom IgE blood test?
Fasting is not usually required for allergen-specific IgE testing. If you are combining this with other labs that do require fasting, follow the instructions for the full order.
What does i205 mean on my allergy test?
“i205” is the lab’s allergen code for bumble bee venom (Bombus terrestris) specific IgE. It identifies the exact allergen extract used for the measurement.
Can a positive bumble bee venom IgE predict anaphylaxis?
Not reliably. A positive result shows sensitization, but reaction severity depends on many factors, including your prior reaction pattern, dose of venom, and individual risk factors. Your clinician uses the result to support a risk plan rather than to predict a specific outcome.
How soon after a sting should I get tested?
If you are testing because of a systemic reaction, clinicians often consider timing because IgE results can vary after a sting. If an early test is negative but your history is strong, repeating later or adding other venom tests may be recommended.
Is this the same as honeybee venom IgE?
No. Bumble bee (Bombus) and honeybee (Apis) are different, and the venom proteins are not identical. Some cross-reactivity can occur, so broader venom testing may be useful when the culprit insect is uncertain.
Should I also test total IgE or other allergy markers?
Sometimes. Total IgE can provide context, and other tests may be more informative depending on your symptoms, such as additional venom-specific IgE tests or broader allergy panels. PocketMD can help you map which companion tests to discuss with your clinician.