Allergy Testing and Food Intolerance - Which test is right for me?

Author: Sandra Tenge   Date Posted:4 April 2018 

There are a number of tests that can prove very useful in identifying food reactions. Here is a summary of those available.

True Allergy Testing – IgE

  • Tested by blood (RAST) test – similar to skin prick testing.
  • Identifies immediate immune system reactions. Minutes to hours after exposure.
  • Symptoms may include swelling of the tongue or mouth, itchy rashes, hives, difficulty breathing, hay fever, anaphylaxis.
  • Testing from 16 foods up to 96 foods, inhalants such as animal dander, dust, dust mite, pollens and grasses.

Food Intolerance Testing – IgG

  • Testing by finger prick blood sample or blood draw.
  • Identifies delayed immune system reactions. Hours to days after exposure.
  • Symptoms may include bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, pain, foggy thinking, fatigue, eczema, congestion, sinusitis, migraine, feeling generally unwell.
  • Testing of 50 or 96 foods. Can be combined with IgE testing.

FODMAP Testing – Fructose, Lactose, Sorbitol and SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) Testing

  • Testing by breath test.
  • Identifies malabsorption issues or SIBO
  • Symptoms may include bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, pain, wind, burping, reflux

Coeliac Screening or Non Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity

  • Tested by blood test or finger prick sample
  • Specifically tests for reactions to gluten in the diet.

Elimination Diets

  • Full elimination diet such as the RPAH Elimination diet
  • Customized elimination diets such as dairy, gluten, FODMAPs
  • Food chemical elimination diets – salicylates, amines, histamine, additive free
  • Guided challenges after elimination show which food group is a problem
  • Symptoms may include IBS type symptoms, migraine, rashes, restless leg, ticks, mood, behavioral, learning, sleep and energy disturbances.

Other Gut Tests

Parasite and microbiome testing, PCR

Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis CDSA

ALCAT – Intolerance / sensitivity to food, chemicals, additives, moulds, environmental chemicals and supplements.

Zonulin, leaky gut, intestinal permeability

Genetic testing

Digestive enzyme function

Helicobacter pylori test

Secretory IgA

Nutritional Analysis

Heavy Metals

Book a consultation today with Sandra who can help decipher which test is best suited to identify possible food reactions that you might be experiencing.

All testing and elimination diets come with individualized recipes tailored to your results. This easy to follow format will make the initial management of food reactions more streamlined.

Call the Sunnybrook store now to make a booking with Sandra on (03) 95786400. She can also be reached on her mobile 0408 277 359 or via email sandra.tenge@gmail.com

 


Leave a comment

Comments have to be approved before showing up