Optimum Health Resource Laboratories?

[chewymom]

I got an email from Scott at Gluten Free advertising finger-prick blood tests that you can receive by mail from Optimum Health Resource Laboratories. One of them claims to test IgA/IgG/IgM Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG). Is that all that needs to be tested? Does anyone know if this test is legit? If so, why haven't I seen it mentioned before??

[LKelly8]

Wow, I heard something like that was in the works but I didn't know it was out already. I hope it's for real, that would be great - especially for kids.

I'm off to google!

. . . and I'm back! It's the same company as York allergy testing. I can't open their website for some reason (yorkallergyusa.com) maybe they're merging under the new name. ( ?)

$99 for the ttg stick. They're HONcode members in good standing. The legal disclaimer at the bottom of the page is disheartening. I have no idea how accurate this test is compared to a standard blood test. The ttg standard blood test is considered the most sensitive for celiac.

If this is for real (". . for really real" as my 5 year old neice would say ) I'm sure many gastro docs will still insist on bloodwork, endoscopy and biopsy.

[ArtGirl]

My question exactly. I've already done the Enterolab testing so don't need to run the test for celiac, but I was wondering about the 96 food allergy test. I had that done (regular blood draw from a lab) several years ago and was wanting to get it done again. The doctor I saw last week doesn't even know about food allergy testing (IgG) and so he is useless - also says celiac is rare

So, if anyone has done this type of finger-prick blood test for the food allergy panel, I'd be interested in knowing what they thought of it. I have read that none of these blood tests are 100% accurate. I did a google search looking for these tests (to tell the doctor about) and discovered a report on some research that sent several samples of the same blood draw to a number of labs, and the results were different for each sample (even though they were the same blood).

[Mayflowers]

I'll tell you what is accurate. The Enterolab looking at your DNA, that is accurate. How much more accurate do you want? I have the celiac gene AND the gluten intolerance gene. Don't need an iffy blood test to tell me anything about that.

I'm thinking about getting the A.L.C.A.T. blood test for food allergies/intolerances. Something like 150 foods are tested with a vial of blood. I had a lot of allergies growing up and Enterolab only does gluten, milk, soy, yeast and eggs. They have a nutritionist there that you can consult for help in incorporating the new diet. It's also recommended for losing weight. It costs about $400 and you need someone to draw the blood for you.

[kimjoy24]

I recently did the 96-food panel test with Optimum. I reported in another thread about my disappointment in how long it took to get my test results. They advertise 4-6 weeks, but it actually took 12 weeks to get my test results, after numerous emails, phone calls, and one nasty fax letter.

So I finally get the test results, and the food item that I scored most allergic to (a high-moderate reaction): eggs.

I eat eggs on a weekly basis and do not have any of the classic reaction symptoms, nor did I have an egg allergy as a kid. I'm not saying the results are inaccurate....I'm just saying I want a second opinion.

[Mayflowers]

I recently did the 96-food panel test with Optimum. I reported in another thread about my disappointment in how long it took to get my test results. They advertise 4-6 weeks, but it actually took 12 weeks to get my test results, after numerous emails, phone calls, and one nasty fax letter.

So I finally get the test results, and the food item that I scored most allergic to (a high-moderate reaction): eggs.

I eat eggs on a weekly basis and do not have any of the classic reaction symptoms, nor did I have an egg allergy as a kid. I'm not saying the results are inaccurate....I'm just saying I want a second opinion.

I think Enterolab testing is more accurate. I waited 2 weeks for my results. A gluten test is $99 and you can also test for eggs, soy, and yeast for $199.

However, I'd like to get the A.L.C.A.T. test to see if the same intolerances are there.

[whoknows]

I am new to this forum as far as posting but have been reading for awhile. I felt compelled to write a post in response to my experience with Optimum Health Resource Laboratories formally know as York Nutritional Labs. I ordered a celiac disease scan kit on July 6 that I never received until Sat. Sept 9. I spent time with many phone calls that I would have to leave a message because they are never available to answer their phone. I had to threaten that I would call my credit card company and finally got a call back. I was told that they had sent my kit by mail two different times. I never received it and was told they would FEDEX it to me that day and refund my money. Well....that FEDEX either was never shipped or never made it to me. That was maybe around the middle of August. I gave up hope that I would never receive the kit and felt comfortable with the fact that my credit card had been refunded. I did not care at that point if I ever received the kit and I decided it was not worth the wait and hassel and that the integrity of the company was that of someone I did not want to do business with. When I received the kit on Sept 9 you can understand how surprised I was after such a long time---over two months since my original order and no communication from the Lab that they were sending a kit by Priority Mail. Again the integrity of this company is still questionable no matter what type of credentials they may appear to have or say they have. I have no intention of using my kit as I am unsure of the integrity of the results as well as the company itself. My opinion is that after reading post's from others about Optimum Health Resource Labs along with my own experience is that they are lacking in Customer Service and may not be operating on the Up and Up. I was very disappointed in my experience with OHRL and am saddened that I am no closer to finding some kind of result for my health issues.

[Mayflowers]

I, and many others will say the same thing. I am very happy with Enterolab's service, shipping and speedy delivery of my kit. Why don't you try them? I know for the first time that I'm gluten intolerant, along with egg, soy and cow dairy intolerant also. I also know that I carry the celiac gene and gluten intolerance gene. No one in my family ever knew this, thanks to Dr. Fine and Enterolab. I feel SSSSSOOOOOOO good! I've been off gluten since August 15th and I'm finally noticing the benefits, one important one is my depression is going away YEAH! My attitude is much more cheerful now!

[alex36]

Our family has used the Optimum Health Resource company a couple of times over the years and have had really good results. I'm sorry to hear you didn't have as good of an experience as we did. We will definitely used them again.

[Cottage-Soul]

I'm not a celiac disease sufferer, but joined so I could post my experience with OHRL. On August 1st I ordered the finger-prick 96 food panel test, $379. was charged to my credit card. I received the blood test kit on the 15th, took my blood (not easy to get enough blood from just 1 finger prick!) and mailed my kit back within a day. On Sept. 17, I emailed the company to see if they had recieved my kit. No response. Waited a few days and emailed again to another of their email addresses. No response again. A week later I call the company, get the accountant who says everyone is out at lunch (this is like at 3 pm) and she will have someone call me back. No surprise, I didn't hear from anyone. Called again the next day and left a message. Once again, no reply. 2nd of October, I contacted the BBB of FL and filed a complaint. Still waiting on what they have to say, but from what I can see looking at my complaint page, they aren't having any luck either. Tomorrow I plan on contacting my credit card to see if it is too late to get my money back, then I am off to file a fraud complaint.

I'm imagining that OHRL is run from someone's basement and they let their pet monkey decide what we are allergic to.

I have never had such awful customer service in my life. IF I ever get my money back I'll look into the other company that someone else mentioned.

[happygirl]

From what I understand, Optimum Health used to be called York Labs and they were around for a long time...have been advertised on this site for as long as I can remember.

here are some links on celiac.com about it:

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodi...-30106230005.1e

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodi...-30106230005.1e

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodi...-30106230005.1e

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodi...-30106230005.1e

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodi...-30106230005.1e

kimjoy-I have numerous food intolerances/issues. I tested positive for eggs and was told by an RN who is actually knowledegable about food intolerances (i know!!!!) that many people do not have overt or noticeable reactions to eggs...I was shocked when mine came back positive (I don't know why I was, given the fact that I react to everything, ha!). But, I just was interested when she said that-and she said they didn't know why-but I wanted to share that.

[Cottage-Soul]

I wanted to give an update on this. After writing the above message I did file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, I wrote a letter to OHRL, I tried calling them again to no avail. I had pretty much given up hope of ever getting my money back and had decided if I did get the results I wouldn't trust them.

A week ago I decided to call OHRL again for the heck of it, so I called and left a message and they rattled off a website that I thought was different than their old one...so later on I called back to get the website address and got a actual real human being! (The website was the same old one.) So this guy promises me that my results will be shipped the very next day and he seems to not understand why I have waited so long (since August). I'm thinking I'll never see anything and am so shocked to be talking to anyone I forget to tell him I just want my money back.

The next day, the results are emailed to me. I don't want to think they are accurate, but I think they are. Foods I am intolerant of are Dairy (cow), wheat, spelt and gluten. Because of past diets I've been on and seeing that I was unable to lose weight on the Atkins diet (high dairy) and that I've always felt wheat was a problem for me (causes pain in the joints) and I ate Spelt for over a year while on the Fat Flush diet - I think the results are correct.

The next day I received some printed material and 2 books (for my trouble) via FedEx. The results had been dated back in October and it is beyond me why no one mailed them to me for over almost 3 months despite the phone calls, letters, complaints.

The results might be accurate, can't be sure yet as I haven't started the diet yet. But I can not recommend this company to others. Its a shame because I think they could offer a valuable service.

[Gentleheart]

I did business with them in 2006 and thankfully got my results reasonably on time. But I agree that it took lots of unanswered phone calls and patience. They also boldly promised a year of phone nutritional counseling service which was quite worthless, in my opinion. It's possible that they actually DO produce reliable results, but just have horrible customer service. But it amazes me that they wouldn't correct that, as professionals. And it's a real shame that their reputation is taking such a royal beating because of it. I am also confused because the notable Dr. Braly who co-authored Dangerous Grains is in some way afflilitated with them. I tried contacting him once, but found it impossible as well. It's a puzzle.

[Rachel--24]

From what I understand, Optimum Health used to be called York Labs and they were around for a long time...have been advertised on this site for as long as I can remember.

People were posting about very poor service even when the lab was still York. I would not use them based on all that I've read from others here....this has been going on for quite some time.

I am thankful that I used Great Smokies for my IgG food testing and not York.

Both Enterolab and Great Smokies delivered the results as promised and with no hassle.

[Gentleheart]

Anybody know anything about Dr. Braly and why he would align himself with an organization with questionable integrity? Just curious.

[GlutenfreeinLA]

I also wanted to report on my bad experience with Optimum Health Resource Laboratories. I spent my three hundred seventy some dollars for the panel 96 food allergy test. I actually received the kit quickly. But it has been over 10 weeks and I have not received my results. The worst thing about the whole thing is they have NO customer service. There is nobody you can call and talk to. There information line is just a recording and they never call back. They also do not answer any e-mails. Now I am left wondering if I will ever see my results or if my money is gone.

I strongly recommend NOT using Optimum Health Laboratories.

jb

[slimsalmon]

I am also having a very bad experience with them.. Last November I ordered an at home test and the 96-allergy send off test. After not receiving or hearing anything for 3 weeks I sent an email and they claimed that my order was lost in the mail, but of course had no tracking number. The fact they weren't concerned about my mail delivery and didn't add a tracking number the second time, made be confident they were lying.

Despite the fact that it was 5 weeks before I even got the test strips for the send off test, and the at-home test was backorded and didn't arrive until mid-January, they still charged my credit card for the full amount the day I placed the order in November.

I got one email confirmation when they received my test strips saying that it would be 6 weeks before the lab work would be done. That was Dec 27th and it is now Feb 28th. They appear to have stop responding to all emails and I've never had anyone answer a phone there. I'm confident that this company is a scam and I'm going to file a fraud report with my credit card.

Maybe a number of us should get together and file an action in court to bring these jerks to justice. Considering the lack of scrupples that this company has demonstrated so far, I don't think I would have much confidence in the legitamacy of any test results if they were to suddenly arrive.

[dani847]

AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID

I am writing this review to WARN people about Optimum Health Resource Laboratories. STAY AWAY FROM THEM! I have been waiting for my results for ONE YEAR!

I purchased the test through BackUpMD.com. I don't have anything against them, because they were seemingly also victims of O.H.R.L. Most of the orders that BackUpMD sent to this lab were never processed and they had to cancel their partnership with them! I ordered my test in April of 2007 and sent them a blood sample. Several months after I was supposed to get the results, I was finally refunded from BackUpMD and the lab would not answer any calls or emails! FINALLY, I got a call from the lab. They told me that they wanted to make things right, and said they would email me my results immediately--YEAH RIGHT! I have been calling and emailing them and they won't respond. IT'S BEEN AN ENTIRE YEAR, and they claim they have my results but won't give them to me!

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

--> If they are reading this right now PLEASE give Danielle and Alexandra their results! It's been a YEAR, COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <--

:( :( :( :(

[GlutenfreeinLA]

I wanted to ad an update, I sent my results to them back in November and still haven't received anything from them.

I have called and e-mailed them so many times, and have never once gotten a reply. I just want my money back.

I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau but they still did not reply.

Please anyone with similar experience or advice on how to get my money back please contact me. I am not just going to let this go. Brownjillj@yahoo.com

Thank you.

[enorad]

To add to the chain of bad experiences I am responsible for making my mother loose $400.00 or whatever the cost of the 96 panel is. I had done this test with York labs in the past and the results helped me a lot. So I recommended it to my mother. By this time they became Optimum Health Labs, no longer affiliated with York. She ordered the test in November 07 and the rest is the same. Money taken, nothing in return. Lots of e-mail and phone messages, nothing returned. The funny thing (to me at least) is that John Kernohan the director of OHL also runs Broward Christian Homeschoolers, Inc. at least that is were my mom's money went. Kind of ironic, isn't it. We could not get a refund from the bank as the statue of limitations is 3 months. In case anyone wants that address and phone number it is 1215 Lincoln Street, Hollywood, Florida 33019. The phone number is 984-920-2530. I believe this is their home, that is what the answering machine seems to imply. Maybe it will be of help to someone.

At any rate I filed a complaint for my mom with the BBB of Florida and the Attorney General. The Attorney General's response was pretty much that this has to be a pattern. So if enough people would file a complaint with the Attorney General, then they might do something about it. I encourage anyone who cares about their money to do so. They suggest another place where one should file complaints, I will just copy and paste the letter from the Attorney General, perhaps it would help.

"Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has received your email regarding your concerns with Optimum Health Resource Laboratories, Inc. Attorney General McCollum asked that I respond. Our office uses complaints such as yours to develop information about patterns of questionable business activities. If we discover a pattern, what originated as a private dispute between buyer and seller may become a matter of broad public interest and thus warrant the Attorney General's intervention under the state's consumer protection laws. We will keep your correspondence for future reference. Please note that our office does not mediate individual consumer complaints. I am forwarding your correspondence to the Attorney General's Economic Crime section for review. What action, if any, this office may take is unknown at this time. To file a complaint at the state level, please contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Consumer Services (DACS). DACS is the clearinghouse for consumer complaints and has a voluntary mediation program to assist individual consumers. You may contact DACS at: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Consumer Services 2005 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Telephone: (850) 488-2221 Toll-free within FL: (800) 435-7352 Website: Open Original Shared Link In addition, you may contact the following consumer agencies as you seek to resolve your individual complaint: Federal Trade Commission Toll-free: (877) 382-4357 Internet: Open Original Shared Link Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida (serving Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach areas) Phone: (561) 842-1918 Internet: Open Original Shared Link Broward County Consumer Protection Office Phone: (954) 357-5350 Internet: Open Original Shared Link Otherwise, please consult a private attorney for any legal guidance you may need. An attorney can give you the legal advice which our office is precluded by law from giving to private individuals. The Florida Bar offers a Lawyer Referral Service which you may contact toll-free at (800) 342-8060. I hope this proves helpful. Thank you for contacting Attorney General McCollum's Office. Sincerely, Samantha Santana Office of Citizen Services"

I know this is a lengthy message, but I am hoping it will help. I also help it will encourage people to do the right thing and file complaints wherever they can. Maybe we will suceed to put him out of business. Nora

[Amyand2girls]

Man, I wish I would have checked here before I ordered our tests from Optimum. They still haven't arrived. I got emails and even a tracking number, but that number didn't pan out with any postal service. To me, this is more than poor customer service. THIS IS A SCAM.

Do I contact the Better Business Bureau in MY state (Texas) or in the state where they supposedly have their offices? I will do everything I can to put these people out of business. My daughters have been eating gluten, waiting for this freaking test, and now it's clear it's never going to get here. I am so angry, there are no words.

[nora-n]

I am in europe, and have had no problems with yorktest. I tested high/medium for yeast and kiwi and low for a few other things like molluscs .

I had been gluten-free and milk-free for some time so wheat and gliadin IgG did not show up positive.

nora

[enorad]

That might be because York Laboratories in England is no longer associated with Optimum Health Laboratories which is now US based and no longer affiliated with York. Did you order your test from York or Optimum Health. I had a perfectly great experience with York Labs in England too before recommending their American spinoff to my mother and wasting her money.

I am in europe, and have had no problems with yorktest. I tested high/medium for yeast and kiwi and low for a few other things like molluscs .

I had been gluten-free and milk-free for some time so wheat and gliadin IgG did not show up positive.

nora

[Gentleheart]

You'll never guess who I got an email from today out of the blue after 3 years.......

Optimum Health Resource Laboratories!!!!!

Yes, it is a big long email holiday promotion. "Buy so many kits and get such and such free." It goes on and on.

Here's my question. If they are the scam it looks like they might be, how would they dare be sending out more emails? I would think they would be laying low for awhile at least.

As I said some time back in this thread, I used their services a long time ago and even though I had to call them A LOT, I still DID get my results. But from what the rest of you have said since, I have often wondered if they are the least bit accurate.

Isn't it a shame that such a potentially useful company has to mess up like this? If I ever do another ELISA type test, I plan to use Great Smokies or somebody like that, I guess. I don't know how a company like this will ever get their reputation back.

I know this thread has maybe served its purpose, but I thought it was particularly ironic and decidedly nervy for them to actually be sending out emails and doing promotions. Unless they are totally innocent and just terribly, terribly inept in their customer service, I can't imagine their nerve to be actually visibly advertising online at this time.

[harpoles97]

I wish so much that I had seen this before placing my order! I saw this and then went straight to paypal and filed a complaint. Right away OHL wrote back (which was annoying in a way because of all the emails and phone calls I had made to them that were unanswered) and said that he was fine about refunding my money because of the money back guarentee. So he sent a refund and paypal closed the claim. HE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY IN THE BANK! Just found that out today. TOTAL SCAM TOTAL RIP OFF.