Epicoccum Purpurascens (M14) IgE Biomarker Testing
It measures IgE sensitization to Epicoccum mold to help explain allergy symptoms, with easy ordering and Quest lab access through Vitals Vault.
With Vitals Vault, you have access to a comprehensive range of biomarker tests.
Epicoccum purpurascens is a common outdoor mold found on plants, soil, and decaying vegetation. If your symptoms flare in damp, leafy, or windy environments, your clinician may consider mold sensitization as one possible contributor.
The Epicoccum Purpurascens (M14) IgE test is a blood test that looks for allergen-specific IgE antibodies to this mold. It does not prove “toxic mold exposure,” but it can help clarify whether your immune system is reacting to Epicoccum.
Your result is most useful when it is interpreted alongside your symptoms, seasonality, and other allergy testing. It can also help you decide what to focus on next, such as broader mold panels, environmental steps, or symptom-directed treatment with your clinician.
Do I need a Epicoccum Purpurascens M14 IgE test?
You may consider this test if you have allergy-type symptoms that seem tied to outdoor exposure, especially in late summer and fall when molds can be higher. Common patterns include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, post-nasal drip, itchy or watery eyes, cough, throat clearing, or asthma symptoms that worsen with yard work, hiking, or time around damp leaves and compost.
This test can also be helpful if you have persistent symptoms that do not match a clear pollen trigger, or if you are trying to separate “mold” from other causes such as dust mites, pets, or seasonal pollens. If you have eczema or chronic sinus issues, mold sensitization can be one piece of the puzzle, but it is rarely the only factor.
You do not usually need Epicoccum-specific IgE testing for vague fatigue, brain fog, or nonspecific symptoms without an allergic pattern. If you have severe reactions, uncontrolled asthma, or symptoms of anaphylaxis, you should seek urgent medical care and work with an allergy specialist.
Testing supports clinician-directed care and planning. Your IgE result is one data point that should be interpreted in context rather than used for self-diagnosis.
This is typically a CLIA-performed allergen-specific IgE blood assay; results indicate sensitization and are not a standalone diagnosis of allergy or exposure severity.
Lab testing
Order labs to measure Epicoccum purpurascens (m14) IgE
from $23.99 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
If you want a clear, documented Epicoccum (M14) IgE result without a long wait for an appointment, you can order the test through Vitals Vault and complete your blood draw at a participating lab location.
Once your results are back, you can use PocketMD to review what “sensitization” means, how IgE categories are commonly reported, and which follow-up tests tend to add the most value based on your symptom pattern. This is especially useful when you are deciding whether to broaden to a mold mix, add other environmental allergens, or retest after a season change.
If you are already working with a clinician, you can share the lab report directly so your care plan stays coordinated. If you are not, PocketMD can help you prepare focused questions for your next visit so you spend less time guessing and more time acting on the right next step.
- Order online and complete your draw at a participating lab location
- Clear, shareable lab report you can bring to your clinician
- PocketMD guidance for next steps and retest timing
Key benefits of Epicoccum Purpurascens M14 IgE testing
- Helps identify whether Epicoccum mold is a plausible trigger for your nasal, eye, or asthma symptoms.
- Supports targeted next-step testing when “mold allergy” is suspected but the trigger is unclear.
- Can guide practical exposure reduction efforts toward outdoor mold sources (leaves, compost, yard work).
- Helps differentiate mold sensitization from other common triggers like dust mites, pets, and pollens.
- Provides a baseline you can compare over time if symptoms change by season or after environmental changes.
- Improves interpretation when paired with total IgE and other allergen-specific IgE results.
- Gives you a lab-verified result you can review in PocketMD and share with your clinician for planning.
What is Epicoccum Purpurascens M14 IgE?
Epicoccum Purpurascens (also called Epicoccum nigrum in some references) is a mold commonly found outdoors on plants and decaying vegetation. The “M14” label refers to the specific allergen extract used in many laboratory allergen panels.
This test measures allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood that recognize Epicoccum proteins. If you are sensitized, your immune system has made IgE that can contribute to allergy symptoms when you inhale spores or fragments.
A positive result does not automatically mean Epicoccum is the main cause of your symptoms. Many people have sensitization without major symptoms, and some people react to multiple molds or have cross-reactivity (your IgE reacts to similar proteins across different fungi). The most useful interpretation combines your result with timing (seasonality), exposure history, and other allergy testing.
Sensitization vs. clinical allergy
Sensitization means your immune system has IgE that recognizes the allergen. Clinical allergy means that exposure reliably triggers symptoms. You can be sensitized without noticeable symptoms, and you can have symptoms from non-allergic causes such as irritants, infections, or chronic inflammation.
How this differs from “mold toxicity” testing
Allergen-specific IgE testing evaluates an allergic pathway. It does not measure mycotoxins, indoor air quality, or the amount of mold in your home. If your concern is allergic symptoms, IgE testing is often the most directly relevant place to start.
What do my Epicoccum Purpurascens M14 IgE results mean?
Low or negative Epicoccum (M14) IgE
A low or negative result means the test did not detect meaningful Epicoccum-specific IgE at the lab’s threshold. This makes Epicoccum sensitization less likely, but it does not rule out other molds or non-IgE causes of symptoms. If your symptoms are strong and seasonal, your clinician may still consider a broader environmental allergy workup.
In-range results (when reported as “negative” or very low class)
For allergen-specific IgE, “optimal” usually means your result is negative or very low and does not strongly support Epicoccum as a trigger. If you feel better in some seasons or settings, it may be more useful to test other molds, pollens, dust mites, or pet dander rather than repeating this single marker. Your clinician may also interpret your result alongside total IgE and your overall allergic history.
High or positive Epicoccum (M14) IgE
A high or positive result suggests sensitization to Epicoccum mold. The higher the value or class, the more likely it is that exposure could contribute to symptoms, but the number alone does not predict severity. Your next step is usually to match the result to your real-world pattern, such as symptoms during yard work, damp outdoor conditions, or certain seasons, and to check for sensitization to other molds that often travel together.
Factors that influence Epicoccum-specific IgE
Timing matters because mold exposure can vary by season, weather, and local environment, which can change how relevant a positive result feels. Cross-reactivity between different fungi can also produce multiple positive mold IgE results even when one exposure is dominant. Medications like antihistamines generally do not affect blood IgE results, but immune-modulating therapies and certain medical conditions can influence your overall IgE profile. Finally, children and people with atopic conditions (eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis) are more likely to have multiple sensitizations, which can complicate interpretation.
What’s included
- Epicoccum Purpurascens (M14) Ige
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Epicoccum Purpurascens (M14) IgE test for?
It tests whether your blood contains IgE antibodies that recognize Epicoccum mold. This indicates sensitization, which can support an allergy diagnosis when it matches your symptoms and exposures.
Do I need to fast for an Epicoccum IgE blood test?
Fasting is not usually required for allergen-specific IgE testing. If you are combining it with other labs (like lipids or glucose), follow the instructions for the full set of tests you ordered.
Can antihistamines affect my IgE blood test result?
Antihistamines typically do not change allergen-specific IgE levels in the blood, so they usually do not affect this result. They can affect skin-prick testing, which is a different type of allergy test.
If my Epicoccum IgE is positive, does that mean mold in my home is making me sick?
Not necessarily. A positive result means sensitization to Epicoccum, which is commonly an outdoor mold. It does not measure mold levels in your home or prove that a specific building is the cause of symptoms. Your clinician may pair this with a broader allergy evaluation and an exposure history.
What is a “class” result on specific IgE testing?
Some labs convert the numeric IgE value into a class (for example, Class 0 to Class 6). Classes are a simplified way to group results, but they do not reliably predict how severe your symptoms will be. Your symptom pattern and co-sensitizations matter more than class alone.
When should I retest mold-specific IgE?
Retesting is usually most helpful when something meaningful has changed, such as a new symptom pattern, a different season, or a major environmental change. Many clinicians wait months rather than weeks, because IgE patterns do not typically shift quickly without a clear reason.