Food Intolerance Test
*US dollars are an estimate only, subject to current exchange rate based on British pounds sterling.
Introduction
Food Intolerance is a delayed reaction that is generally not life-threatening. If someone eats a food for which they are intolerant, however, it could make them feel ill, perpetually unwell or affect their long-term health by triggering certain symptoms. Food intolerance can affect people in different ways with different symptoms such as bloating, headaches, fatigue and a host of other symptoms.
We can offer two Food Intolerance Tests for you:
(a) The Initial Test; and
(b) The Comprehensive Food Intolerance Test.
The Initial Test and the Comprehensive Food Intolerance Test are both finger prick mail-order services with the added benefit of clinical laboratory analysis. These tests will not hurt. You feel almost nothing. And they can both be done in the privacy of your own home.
Designed as a two step process: Step One is the Initial Test to determine if you may have food intolerances (£20.00/$35.00*). If you test positive in Step One for the Initial Test, you then take Step Two which is the Comprehensive Food Intolerance Test to check for 113 commonly eaten foods. This Comprehensive Test helps you to identify the foods that may be contributing to your symptoms by checking for delayed food-specific reactions in your body or what is called IgG antibody reactions. In addition to your results, the service also includes nutritional support and advice on managing your diet.
What is the difference between allergies and intolerances?
Allergies and intolerances are both types of adverse reactions to food. The major differences between them are the speed and the severity of that reaction.
A classical allergy will cause an immediate reaction after contact with an allergen. You will generally know straight away if you are allergic to something, because the swiftness of the reaction allows you to identify the link between cause and effect.
An intolerance or sensitivity, on the other hand, causes reactions that can occur between 1 hour and up to 48 hours later. So the reaction time is generally slower.
Intolerances and sensitivities are much harder to identify – if something you ate at lunchtime causes you to be tired in the afternoon, or a sandwich gives you a headache two days after you ate it because you have wheat intolerance, then you are unlikely to link the two events without careful and in-depth investigation.
Should I consider a Food Intolerance test?
There are many reasons for you to investigate food intolerances or sensitivities. The list below covers just some of the symptoms associated with food intolerance.
If you regularly experience any of the following symptoms, you may wish to test:
- Abdominal pain
- Acne
- Anxiety
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Depression
- Diarrhoea
- Eczema
- Fatigue
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Itching
- Fluid Retention
- Headaches
- Hyperactivity
- Migraine
- Nausea
- Rashes
- Rhinitis
- Tiredness
Which foods do you test for?
The Comprehensive Food Intolerance Test helps identify your food intolerances by testing for delayed food-specific reactions in your body (IgG antibody reactions) and tests for 113 foods including meat, fish, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, herbs and spices.
To see a list of the foods which are tested in the non-vegetarian, click here.
Dairy
Fish
Fruit
Herbs/Spices
Meats
Nuts
Grains
Vegetables
Other
*Please note: A positive (IgG reaction) to Gluten is not diagnostic of Coeliac Disease.
To see a list of foods tested in the vegetarian diet, click here.
Grains
Fruit
Vegetables
Dairy
Nuts
Herbs/Spices
Other
Please be aware you should not take any of the food intolerance tests if you suffer from a blood borne disease such as hepatitis or HIV, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This test is unsuitable for children under the age of two years old. Always consult with your medical doctor if you have any concerns.
Food intolerance can aggravate your symptoms and cause you to feel generally unwell. A quick and easy to use food intolerance test can help you to discover the exact foods that you are intolerant or sensitive to.
The Initial Food Intolerance Test (£20.00/$35.00*) confirms your suspicion of food intolerance or sensitivity by providing you with a “positive” or “negative” test result, giving you peace of mind and the opportunity for you to go on to the next step and discover the exact foods for which you are sensitive.
When you order your Initial Food Intolerance Test, a kit is sent to you in the post which contains all the necessary items for you to collect your blood sample (we only need 2-3 drops of blood). Once the blood sample is collected, it is posted back to the laboratory for analysis using the prepaid envelope provided. Your results will then be sent to you within ten working days.
Why take an Initial Food Intolerance Test?
- Easy to use, finger prick blood test
- Mail order service available worldwide
- Clinically validated food intolerance test
- The only food intolerance testing service to be endorsed by leading Allergy charity, Allergy UK
- Can be delivered to the USA and Canada or worldwide and easily posted back to the laboratory using your national postal service
- The test will provide you with a “positive” or “negative” result confirming your suspicions of food intolerance
- Competitively priced (£20.00 / $35.00*)
If the results of your Initial Food Intolerance Test are positive, a Comprehensive Food Intolerance Test can be purchased to identify your exact problem foods. For further information regarding the test click here
*US dollars are an estimate only, subject to current exchange rate based on British pounds sterling.
Two Free Nutritional Telephone consultations Included
It is estimated that up to 45% of the population suffers from unsuspected food reactions, or ‘intolerances’ that can cause a wide range of health problems. Symptoms can be wide ranging with intolerances to different foods contributing to complaints ranging from arthritis to eczema and migraines.
Or to put it another way: Is what you are eating making you ill?
Food intolerance can weaken your body’s resistance to common ailments and other conditions, leading to you feeling generally unwell without any really obvious cause. Once you can get to the bottom of food intolerances, you can make a massive positive difference to your life.
The Comprehensive Food Intolerance Test measures your IgG reaction to 113 different foods. The Comprehensive Food Intolerance Test is a finger prick blood test that can be taken from the comfort of home. Once you place your order a test kit is sent to you in the post, which contains everything you will need to collect your blood sample, you simply take your sample and post it back to the laboratory for analysis.
Your results will be sent out to you within 10-12 working days. Results are in a clear and easy to understand colour coded format. Any reactive foods are graded on a scale of 0-4 with 4 being the highest reaction.
Alongside your results, you will receive a guidebook and food diary which provides you with step by step advice to help you make necessary changes. You also get ongoing support and advice through two free telephone consultations with BANT qualified nutritionists.
The Comprehensive Food Intolerance Test is the only testing service to be endorsed by leading medical charity Allergy UK
Other tests are available. Please click here for full list of tests.
Comprehensive Food Intolerance Test
Availability: In Stock
Price: £265.00/$445.00*
*US dollars are an estimate only, subject to current exchange rate based on British pounds sterling.
Test FAQ
Will the test detect an intolerance to foods I have not eaten for a few weeks?
If you have not eaten a particular food for some weeks, the levels of reaction to that food will be reduced, and you may not get a true picture of your intolerances from our results. They will either display a weaker reaction or sometimes show no reaction at all. We recommend you keep your eating habits as normal as possible prior to taking the test. If you already know from previous experience that the eliminated food is something that triggers your symptoms, do not start eating it again.
How long after I eliminate my problem foods can I expect to see an improvement in my symptoms?
Many people find that they start to see an improvement in their health after around three weeks of changing their eating habits, "however this varies from person to person"
Does my GP or Medical doctor need to know?
We strongly recommend that you consult your GP or healthcare practitioner with your test results. The advice we give is not intended to replace any recommendations offered by your doctor, since they will have the full details of your medical history.
How long will it take to receive my results?
Once we receive your blood sample, within 10 working days you’ll know which of the 113 foods may be contributing to your symptoms. But more than this, we’ll:
What will my test results look like?
Your results will be clearly laid out and easy to understand. To see a sample of the Initial Food Intolerance Test results click here or to see an example of the Comprehensive Food Intolerance test results click here
What does the test kit include?
The contents of the test kit will be sent in a strong, secure box. This box will contain:
What are you expecting me to provide you with?
You’ll need to use the finger prick lancet to prick your finger or thumb tip with, so that you can put a few drops of blood onto the collection stick. When the wand is completely full, push it back into the tube it came in, and put it, together with the used lancet into the box. Complete the form with your details and send that, together with the box containing your sample, back to us in the reply-paid envelope.
How do I complete the test kit?
Full, illustrated instructions are enclosed with your test kit. To see what those instructions look like, click here.
What can I eat or drink before the test?
There is no restriction on eating or drinking before taking your Food Intolerance test, and doing so will not affect your results. You must not take a Food Intolerance Test if you are:
Is it safe to post back my sample?
The box containing your kit, and in which you will return your sample, is very strong – the laboratory have never had any problems in all their years of operating. Follow the instructions for returning your sample, and it will be completely safe.
How do I post back my sample?
Just pop the box containing your sample and any returned items (such as the lancet), plus your completed form, into the reply-paid envelope, and post it as normal within the UK. If you are overseas then return your sample, plus your form to the laboratory using your National postal service.
If I am taking medication or nutritional supplements can I still do the test?
If you are taking steroids, immunosuppressants or are pregnant or breast feeding you cannot take any of our tests.
Does the laboratory provide everything needed to do the test?
Yes it does. Everything you need is included in the kit, complete with full instructions. If you have any problems with the contents of the kit, or with understanding the procedure, simply call the Customer Care Line number, which is clearly printed on the instructions.
How quickly do I have to return my blood sample?
Your sample must be returned within two days of taking it.
Do the finger prick blood tests hurt?
All our tests have been designed with your comfort and convenience in mind. YorkTest’s finger prick blood sampling is much less painful than taking a full blood draw and full instructions are provided to ensure sample taking is as quick and convenient as possible. However if you are concerned a member of the YorkTest Customer Care team will be happy to advise on the best way to take your sample.
Where do you conduct the analysis?
YorkTest operates a state of the art laboratory, which utilises the very latest biotechnology testing facilities.
What is the best technique for taking a good blood sample?
Before taking your sample run warm water over your hand to encourage blood flow, please ensure you dry your hands before taking your sample. Use your index finger, stand upright and press your finger to apply pressure.
My child is taking the test and I am struggling to take a sample – what can you recommend?
With children it can sometimes be easier and more comfortable taking the sample from the heel of their foot if it is difficult to use their index finger.
What do you do with my blood sample after it has been used?
All samples are destroyed after testing.
Can the lancet be used on parts of the body other than my index finger?
Although the index finger is recommended, it can also be used on the heel of your foot.
Do I have to visit my GP or medical doctor to take the blood sample?
No, our test samples can be completed by yourself in the comfort of your own home.
