Rough Pigweed W14 IgG Biomarker Testing
It measures IgG antibodies to rough pigweed to support allergy context, not diagnosis, with easy ordering and Quest-based lab access via Vitals Vault.
With Vitals Vault, you have access to a comprehensive range of biomarker tests.
Rough Pigweed W14 IgG is a blood test that looks for IgG antibodies your immune system has made in response to rough pigweed (a common weed pollen). Your result can add context when you are trying to connect symptoms with exposures, especially when the story is not a classic “immediate allergy” pattern.
IgG results are easy to misread. A positive IgG does not automatically mean rough pigweed is “causing” your symptoms, and a negative result does not rule out allergy. The value is in using the number alongside your timing of symptoms, your environment, and—when appropriate—other allergy tests such as allergen-specific IgE.
If you already have a result in hand, this page will help you interpret low, in-range, and high findings in plain language and decide what to do next with your clinician.
Do I need a Rough Pigweed W14 IgG test?
You might consider Rough Pigweed W14 IgG testing if you are tracking recurring symptoms that seem linked to outdoor exposure—such as congestion, post-nasal drip, cough, itchy eyes, or flares of eczema-like skin irritation—but the timing is inconsistent or delayed. Some people also use IgG testing when they are building a broader “exposure map” and want another data point to discuss with their clinician.
This test can also be useful if you are comparing patterns across multiple allergens. For example, if you have several weed pollens that come back elevated on IgG, it may support a conversation about seasonal exposure, home filtration, or whether IgE testing would better match your symptom pattern.
You may not need this test if you have clear immediate reactions (hives, wheeze, throat tightness) after exposure. In those cases, allergen-specific IgE testing and/or clinician-directed allergy evaluation is usually more directly actionable.
Testing is most helpful when it supports clinician-guided care and symptom tracking rather than self-diagnosis. Bring your result, your symptom timeline, and any medications you use (especially antihistamines, steroids, or immunotherapy) into the same conversation.
This is a laboratory-developed test performed in a CLIA-certified lab; results should be interpreted in clinical context and are not a standalone diagnosis of allergy or intolerance.
Lab testing
Order labs to measure Rough Pigweed (w14) IgG
from $105.19 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 Rough Pigweed W14 IgG testing without needing a separate doctor’s visit just to generate a lab requisition. You choose the test, complete checkout, and then visit a participating lab location for a simple blood draw.
Once your results are ready, you can use PocketMD to review what the number may (and may not) mean for your symptoms, and to plan smart follow-ups—like whether an IgE test, a broader allergy panel, or a retest during a different season would better answer your question.
If you are already working with a clinician, Vitals Vault can still help by making it easier to gather consistent data over time and share a clean lab report for interpretation.
- Order online and complete testing with a standard blood draw
- PocketMD helps you turn results into next-step questions
- Designed for trending and follow-up, not one-off guesswork
Key benefits of Rough Pigweed W14 IgG testing
- Adds an objective data point about immune recognition of rough pigweed exposure.
- Helps you compare weed-pollen patterns across multiple allergens when symptoms are seasonal.
- Supports a clearer discussion of IgG versus IgE testing based on how fast your symptoms appear.
- Can be used alongside a symptom diary to see whether delayed flares track with outdoor exposure.
- May help prioritize which allergens to explore further with targeted IgE testing or clinical evaluation.
- Useful for retesting strategy when you change environments, filtration, or exposure habits.
- Pairs well with PocketMD guidance so you can interpret results without over-calling a “positive” as a diagnosis.
What is Rough Pigweed W14 IgG?
Rough pigweed is a weed whose pollen can be present in the air during parts of the growing season, depending on where you live. The “W14” label is a lab coding convention used to identify the specific allergen extract being tested.
This test measures IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies in your blood that bind to rough pigweed allergen components. IgG antibodies often reflect exposure and immune recognition. They do not behave the same way as IgE (immunoglobulin E), which is the antibody class most associated with immediate-type allergic reactions such as hives, wheezing, or rapid-onset nasal symptoms.
Because IgG can rise with exposure even in people who do not have symptoms, the most reliable way to use this test is as part of a bigger picture: your symptom timing, your environment, and other labs when needed.
What do my Rough Pigweed W14 IgG results mean?
Low Rough Pigweed W14 IgG
A low result generally means the lab did not detect a meaningful IgG antibody response to rough pigweed, or that your level is below the assay’s reporting threshold. This can happen if you have had limited exposure, if your immune system simply has not produced measurable IgG to this allergen, or if the timing of testing does not match your exposure season. A low IgG result does not rule out an IgE-mediated allergy, so it should not be used to “clear” rough pigweed if your symptoms strongly suggest pollen allergy.
In-range (or expected) Rough Pigweed W14 IgG
Many labs report IgG on a scale where a mid-range value can be interpreted as consistent with some degree of exposure and immune recognition. In practice, an “in-range” IgG level is often neutral: it may not explain symptoms on its own, but it can still be useful when compared with other allergens and with your seasonal pattern. If your symptoms are clearly seasonal and outdoors-related, an allergen-specific IgE test may provide more actionable information than repeating IgG alone.
High Rough Pigweed W14 IgG
A high result means you have a stronger measured IgG antibody response to rough pigweed. This most often indicates that your immune system has seen this allergen and produced antibodies, which can occur with regular exposure. It does not prove that rough pigweed is the cause of your symptoms, and it does not predict severity of reactions. A high IgG becomes more meaningful when it lines up with your symptom timing (for example, flares during weed pollen season) and when IgE testing and clinical history support an allergic pattern.
Factors that influence Rough Pigweed W14 IgG
Your geography and season matter because pollen exposure varies widely by region and time of year. Immune-modifying treatments (such as allergy immunotherapy) and anti-inflammatory medications (including systemic steroids) can change antibody patterns over time. Cross-reactivity is also possible: some weed pollens share similar proteins, which can make multiple related allergens appear elevated. Finally, different labs and methods can use different reference ranges, so your result should be interpreted using the ranges shown on your report.
What’s included
- Rough Pigweed (W14) Igg
Similar tests to consider
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rough Pigweed W14 IgG an allergy test?
It is an immune-response test that measures IgG antibodies to rough pigweed. It can add context about exposure, but it is not the same as allergen-specific IgE testing, which is more directly tied to immediate-type allergic reactions.
What is the difference between IgG and IgE for environmental allergies?
IgE is the antibody class most associated with classic allergy symptoms that happen quickly after exposure. IgG more often reflects immune recognition and exposure history, and it can be elevated even when you do not have symptoms. That is why IgG results usually need more context to interpret.
Do I need to fast for a Rough Pigweed IgG blood test?
Fasting is not typically required for allergen-specific IgG testing because the measurement is not strongly affected by recent meals. If you are combining this with other labs that do require fasting, follow the instructions for the full set of tests you ordered.
Can antihistamines affect Rough Pigweed W14 IgG results?
Antihistamines generally do not change IgG antibody levels in the short term because they mainly block histamine effects rather than changing antibody production. However, systemic steroids or other immune-modifying treatments can influence immune markers over time, so list all medications when reviewing results.
If my Rough Pigweed W14 IgG is high, should I avoid going outside?
A high IgG alone is not a reason to avoid outdoor activity. If your symptoms reliably flare with outdoor exposure during weed pollen season, practical steps like checking pollen counts, showering after being outside, and improving indoor filtration may help. For diagnosis and treatment planning, discuss whether IgE testing or an allergy evaluation fits your symptom pattern.
When should I retest Rough Pigweed W14 IgG?
Retesting is most useful when something meaningful changes, such as moving to a new region, changing exposure patterns, or tracking a seasonal pattern across years. Because antibodies change gradually, retesting is usually considered over months rather than days or weeks, unless your clinician recommends a specific schedule.