The vast majority of food intolerance tests are not reliable. Those that claim to measure allergy-like reactions by testing IgG antibodies are not recommended as a diagnostic tool for food intolerances.
Instead, they suggest following a temporary elimination diet under the guidance of a dietitian. This should be followed to the letter to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
What is an Intolerance Test?
A food intolerance test measures your IgG antibody responses to 96 different foods. These are the antibodies that your immune system creates to defend against viruses, bacteria and other foreign threats.
Food intolerance is a less severe reaction than a food allergy, which involves IgE antibodies and can be life-threatening. It causes symptoms like bloating, constipation and headaches, which can resolve when the offending food is avoided.
Many companies sell tests to assess if you have a food intolerance by measuring the level of IgG antibodies against individual foods and drinks. However, these tests are not recommended by the British Dietetics Association or NHS, and there is limited evidence that they are reliable. In fact, eliminating entire groups of foods may lead to nutritional deficiencies and worsen gastrointestinal symptoms. This is because the wrong diet can lead to a reduction in healthy gut bacteria and imbalances in hormone levels. Excluding certain foods could also lead to stress, anxiety and fear of eating.
Intolerance Test Cost
A food intolerance test is usually less expensive than allergy testing. For example, Personalabs offers a food sensitivity test for just one type of food at a time ($99), while the company’s blood allergy tests, which analyze immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to many different foods, cost $134.
While food intolerances may produce symptoms similar to allergies—like headache, tiredness, bloating, and constipation—they typically don’t cause an immediate reaction like hives or trouble breathing. Instead, the food triggers an immune response over time and can cause chronic health problems like irritable bowel syndrome.
The simplest way to diagnose food intolerance is by using an elimination diet. That involves removing suspect foods for a few weeks and then reintroducing them to see if your symptoms improve. This can be a lengthy process but it’s also the most reliable way to pinpoint problem foods. Other intolerance tests are based on blood samples, which require a doctor’s office visit and a prick of the finger.
Intolerance Test Results
These tests claim to identify the food or drinks that you are sensitive or intolerant to based on the level of IgG antibodies present in your blood. However, IgG antibodies to foods are present in all healthy people and there is no scientific evidence that they show an increased intolerance to specific foods.
Some food intolerance tests are fairly simple at-home finger prick tests (for those who aren’t squeamish) that can be ordered online. They involve pricking your finger and depositing blood onto a special test card, which is then sent off for analysis.
Other food intolerance tests use a hydrogen breath test or a specialised machine to measure your sensitivity to certain foods. These tests can detect a wide range of symptoms, from digestive issues like bloating and diarrhoea to less obvious symptoms like migraines, joint pain or brain fog. However, they do not accurately detect food allergies, which can be dangerous. They can also lead to unnecessary food restrictions, misdiagnosis of underlying conditions and nutritional deficiencies.
Intolerance Test Options
Some food intolerance tests claim to detect a person’s intolerances by analysing the blood for immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies to specific foods or drinks. The tests say that if these are elevated then the food or drink is likely to cause symptoms. However, there is little evidence that this kind of testing provides accurate results. Excluding multiple foods from your diet without a proper diagnosis can lead to nutritional inadequacies and stress and anxiety around eating.
A more reliable test is one that involves taking a blood sample and looking at your immune response to a wide range of food triggers. These comprehensive tests also assess your digestive health, hormonal imbalances, gut biome and metal sensitivities. To help you find the right intolerance test for you, check out our buyers’ guide. It covers 6 key tips to ensure you receive the best care and value when choosing a food intolerance test provider. This includes advice on how to swerve the dodgy providers and how to choose a testing company that will work round the clock to support you.
