Food intolerance tests

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vanillaswirl

Member
I think most likely a waste of money, personal experience of having symptoms of IBS/intolerances..I saw a dietician, who advised to follow a Low FODMAP 'diet', which eliminates 'trigger' foods and you slowly reintroduce which identifies your triggers. I'd say if you have the money available a dietician could be money better spent compared to those tests.
 
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mcfeez

VIP Member
Not recommended. If you are concerned about stuff like this, see a doctor. One of the most accurate ways for tracking intolerances or 'flares' is via food journal and logging symptoms. Doctors can also refer you for tests if they suspect you have actual allergy.
 
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On A Roll

On A Roll

Well-known member
Rose18778 said:
I paid £170 for one a few months back and wasn’t overly impressed! I was getting really bad gas and stomach pains after eating anything tomato based but it didn’t show up with anything linked to tomatoes. Apparently I have borderline intolerances to nutmeg, pineapple and chamomile! None of these I have very often! Very random!

However the pains have gone now so perhaps I just don’t have any intolerances 🤷🏻‍♀️ Worth a try if you can get a good deal, I feel like I wasted £170!
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thank you! That’s what I’m worried about - thinking I have intolerances to something, paying a lot of money, then the test giving me no real answers 😂😂

so glad to hear the pains have gone now for you, I can imagine that was horrible 😩
 
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S

Sooverthat

Chatty Member
WhatABore said:
I presumed by op that they're talking about things like the hair tests if they were reading about them not being accurate online.

As I believe a blood test one would be through your GP?
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It was through a Nutritionist, along with stool sampling. Of which both highlighted issues related to my symptoms- which were relieved making dietary changes based on the test results.
 
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On A Roll

On A Roll

Well-known member
Anyone done one, would you recommend?

reading a lot online about how they aren’t accurate... but I still find myself drawn to them and wanting to take one
 
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Sooverthat

Chatty Member
WhatABore said:
They have no scientific basis at all as there is no way of showing what you're allergic/intolerant to through your hair.
If there was, doctors and everyone would be using it.
I was told this by several doctors.
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I had mine done through a blood test.
 
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Holidaybobs

VIP Member
Absolute waste of money. I always had digestion issues as a child and would regularly see a dietician. My professor didn’t believe in allergy tests so I never had them. Years later I was diagnosed with IBS and I’ve learnt to live with it and understand what causes it to flare up. Also, I have chronic eczema which is usually linked.

I seen the tests online and thought I would try it. The results came back and made no sense at all, it said I was intolerant to beef, tea, rats and latex. None of these things (not sure on the rats😂) have ever caused me an issue.

The best thing you can do is a process of elimination. I did this and I know if I drink Prosecco or gin then I am overwhelmed with nausea, migraines and a rash all over my neck and face. If I take an antihistamine then no issues so honestly, just eliminate things one at a time and reintroduce it and see if it works. All the best.
 
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Sooverthat

Chatty Member
I would recommend doing one through a nutritionist. As they can also offer plenty of advice and support around how to improve your diet and overall health. I found stool testing to be more helpful than intolerance testing as I was carrying a bug that explained alot of my symptoms. My intolerance test showed a sensitivity to Yeast, which I had been mistaking for an intolerance to wheat. So things added up as yeast is often in alot of food products which also contain wheat. I also found a sensitivity to caffeine and moreso coffee and I was drinking alot of both.
An elimination diet did help relieve some symptoms, but IBS was also playing a part, but again with dietary changes this improved.
I'd recommend doing it with a nutritionist you can speak to, who offers it as part of a service rather than doing a random rest with no one to follow it up with.
Bonus with a nutritionist is they can also suggest additional supplements to support symptoms and diet too.
I recommend Rosie Letts, if anyone wants to pursue. She offers online appointments.
 
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Rose18778

Active member
I paid £170 for one a few months back and wasn’t overly impressed! I was getting really bad gas and stomach pains after eating anything tomato based but it didn’t show up with anything linked to tomatoes. Apparently I have borderline intolerances to nutmeg, pineapple and chamomile! None of these I have very often! Very random!

However the pains have gone now so perhaps I just don’t have any intolerances 🤷🏻‍♀️ Worth a try if you can get a good deal, I feel like I wasted £170!
 
Rippedjeanmaybe

Rippedjeanmaybe

VIP Member
I really wouldn’t bother. I think if you think you’re having problems with a certain food, then you should speak to a doctor. I have coeliac disease and those tests don’t pick this up. Elimination doesn’t work either as you need gluten in your system to get a formal diagnosis. If you are having problems, then a food diary with symptoms is the best way forward and once you’ve got that then go from there.
 
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Rose18778

Active member
On A Roll said:
thank you! That’s what I’m worried about - thinking I have intolerances to something, paying a lot of money, then the test giving me no real answers 😂😂

so glad to hear the pains have gone now for you, I can imagine that was horrible 😩
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I was convinced it would come back with tomatoes or maybe something I hadn’t considered like bread or pasta or chocolate (heaven forbid 😂) so yeah feels a bit of wasted money and no real answers! But if you do have an intolerance hopefully it would show up 🤞🏼Let us know how you get on if you do take one!
 
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Lulu Goss

VIP Member
I was told by my doctor not to bother with one. I suffer with stomach problems which I’m sure if caused by food like onions, so was going to order one, but when I mentioned it to him he said they’re not very accurate so it’s unlikely it’d be helpful
 
margaretta

margaretta

VIP Member
i had one a few months ago and what a complete waste of money!
I’d wanted to have one for years, I knew from trial and error I had a few intolerances but was still eating these foods as and when. I wanted to see if they showed up on a test and if there were any more.

It basically came back clear, no intolerances.
This test included a follow up nutrition appointment and I felt like the nutritionist was clutching at straws trying to make suggestions which included taking a different type of £170 test. Sigh.

I’d save your money and if you can, report any food allergies or intolerances to your GP and see if you can get a referral to an allergy clinic. I’ve had one for environmental allergens but not for food and when covid is over, I’ll see if I can get a food test.
 
Rosie878

Rosie878

VIP Member
I wouldn’t recommend the test. I did one a month ago. I have a really bad dust and grass pollen allergy but the test didn’t bring them up. It told me I was intolerant to eggs and broccoli, two foods which are actually my go-tos to eat more of when I’m feeling a bit under par. 🤦🏼‍♀️
 
under the ivy

under the ivy

VIP Member
I have IBS (happens more when I’m stressed) and lactose intolerance - I still eat diary products though but not as much as I used to. There’s certain food I can’t eat such salt and vinegar Pringles as they weirdly have lactose in them. Mine got found out through numerous GP visits, where I had a blood test to check for glucose levels and cutting out all lactose products for nearly a fortnight. I wouldn’t pay for a private test, just try cutting out food what you think triggers you.