Food Intolerance Testing

[tiggerblue10]

I did a York Test food intolerance test a couple of weeks ago and the results have come back with a positive indicator. This initial test cost me £15 but they called and advised that it would cost £250 or more to have full tests done to find out what I'm intolerant to.

I know that my health is more important than the money but is there a cheaper way of getting the individual tests done?

In the past I have noticed that when I don't eat any carbs I feel fine but would like to know exactly what I need to avoid or find alternatives for. Will also start keeping a food diary.

[Tilly2]

The food diary will help you to indicate your intolerance. Save yourself, £250.00 and do it yourself, Tigger.

[gingejbee]

I seem to remember Which? being very sceptical about these tests being performed on a commercial basis...test results were very variable from several different "labs". I seem to remember "money-spinning nonsense" being used to describe actual results.

[tiggerblue10]

Keeping a food diary is good and I have done it before but I usually find it difficult to determine what is causing my symptoms. I was hoping to get some definitive answers as to it could be.

[tiggerblue10]

That's what I was thinking Gingejbee.

Is it worth asking my GP or would they just tell me to sort it out myself?

[ummmm]

I'd go to the GP.

[tiggerblue10]

I think I will go Ummmm.

That'll be my 3rd visit since the beginning of 2017!!

[rosyposy]

Some help in related questions underneath replies, nhs site mentioned on dickythecooks reply, sorry don't know how to post a link :0(

[ubasses]

I was officially diagnosed with Food Intolerance 30 years ago. To get to that I had some tests first to rule out anything untoward and then was offered the option of doing an exclusion diet and experimenting under my own steam or the help of a dietician. So you really need see your GP to ensure it is nothing more serious.

[Sqad]

Allergy tests for food intolerance are a waste of time and money.
Elimination tests as suggested by ubasses at 20.00 yesterday is the route to follow.

[NoMercy]

What specific symptoms are you getting and is there any diurnal variation (different symptoms at different times of the day)?

[Buenchico]

While there are tests for food allergies, there's no such thing as a test for food intolerances (which are completely different).

That's not just a random opinion of mine. It's what the NHS says!
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-intolerance/pages/introduction.aspx

[Sqad]

Buenchico.....we are getting much too clever here on AB not necesarrily to the advantage of the OPers.
To the majority of folks....the vast majority...Intolerance and Allergy to food are the same thing. Only the medics, pedantics and nutritionists would know the difference.
I disagree with your post and also the opinion of the NHS website.....there are NO allergy tests for food.
There is a test for food intolerance......and that is elimination tests.

[murraymints]

I'd try eliminating food groups one at a time..no dairy for a week, no carbs another week keep a diary...I found my migraine was due to chocolate!

[Buenchico]

>>> there are NO allergy tests for food

That's odd then, Sqad, because I know of lots of people who've had skin-prick testing, as described here:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/food-allergy/Pages/diagnosis.aspx

However, since food allergies and food intolerance are completely different things, those sort of tests would clearly be inappropriate for Tiggerblue10 (even though it appears that what she's been offered by a commercial company may well be something very similar).

Whether elimination trials can really be regarded as a 'test' is purely a matter of semantics. You say it's the only way forward, I agree and so does the NHS website, so I can't see that there's really any disagreement about what actually matters.

[Sqad]

Buenchico

\\\\That's odd then, Sqad, because I know of lots of people who've had skin-prick testing, as described here:\\\\

By no skin fests for food allergy, I mean, MEANINGFUL tests.
One can have tests for Coeliac disease, but as this is not an allergy or intolerance it is an autoimmuine disease and IGA is tested (immunoglobulin A). When testing for an allergy IgE is tested and i repeat there are NO blood tests for food allergies and the only test for food intolerance is an elimination test.

[tiggerblue10]

Thanks all, I've booked an appointment with my GP.

Had problems again today. I ate a tin of minestrone soup and it just bloated me out. Have had cramping most of the day as well. I'm going to cut out carbs and processed foods for a week and see how I feel.

What with my appointment at the rheumatology dept. for stiff joints in March and now this I'm feeling a bit pants! :o(

[NoMercy]

Tiggs, sometimes people who experience GI symptoms will also experience arthritic type pains too.

It sounds like your immune system is out of kilter.

I would seriously consider eliminating ALL processed foods, dairy and wheat products.

Try to stick to lean grass-fed meats, fish, fruit and vegetables.

Various grains can causing inflammatory response so exclude those from your diet too.

Keep us updated x

[tiggerblue10]

Thanks NoM, several months ago I gave up carbs and ate loads of fresh foods and I felt great apart from the body stiffness etc. Lost loads of weight too. Also switched to almond milk (don't like soya) as well.

I've been shopping and stuck to non-processed foods so fingers crossed. I would like a medical opinion so have booked an appt. with GP.

[BarbaraPearcy]

Yes, health should be the first preference for any individual, if an individual is not healthy, he would not be able to do his daily activities properly. There are certain food items that don't suit an individual and can even cause serious effects after their consumption. I have also suffered this at a great level. Then I got to know about the Food Intolerance test. I took that test and came to know that the food causing trouble for me were the peanuts. If you also wish to figure out the food items that are responsible for your symptoms, you can visit intolerancelab.co.uk/intolerance-2.