Food Sensitivity Test?

[Guest kivmom3]

I have my first official appointment with a celiac doctor in Chicago and was wondering if anyone has had a food sensitivity test for other "bad food" to stay away from. Is there such a test? I asked my primary doctor and she thought I was nuts. Do I just have to "test" other foods to see if I can tolerate them? I'd rather not do that. I did that with soy and was VERY sick for a week!!

Any info would help me out! I just want to be fully prepared to get all my questions and ailments answered at the appointment .

thanks!

Gg

[burdee]

I have my first official appointment with a celiac doctor in Chicago and was wondering if anyone has had a food sensitivity test for other "bad food" to stay away from. Is there such a test? I asked my primary doctor and she thought I was nuts. Do I just have to "test" other foods to see if I can tolerate them? I'd rather not do that. I did that with soy and was VERY sick for a week!!

Any info would help me out! I just want to be fully prepared to get all my questions and ailments answered at the appointment .

thanks!

Gg

I'm sorry your doctor was not very knowledgable about tests for food allergies. There are several different tests for IgG (delayed reaction) and IgE (immediate reaction) allergies to foods. I recommend blood tests or stool sample tests for food sensitivities, rather than skin tests, because skin tests aren't very accurate for food reactions, especially delayed reactions.

I have taken 3 versions (different foods) of the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) blood test for food allergies. My naturopath sent me to a lab for a blood draw which was sent to a local lab, US BioTek which tested the blood for reactions to proteins of over 100 different foods. I recently took another ELISA test for sensitivity to herbs and spices. US BioTek, the lab used by my doc's Treatment Center to test for food allergies, recently received a national Excellence Award for Quality Laboratory Services. However other labs can also perform the ELISA test.

I also took Enterolab's stool test for sensitivity to milk, soy, egg and yeast. Their test looks at IgA antibody (most present in stool) reactions to foods. Whereas the ELISA test looks at IgG antibody (most present in blood) reactions to foods. Some people may have no IgG reaction, but have an IgA reaction to certain food proteins. I had an IgG reaction to egg, but no IgA reaction. However I had an IgA reaction to soy, but not IgG. With the IgG tests (ELISA and others) you need to be actively eating the foods you want to test. With the IgA test (Enterolab stool test), you don't have to be currently eating the food, but should have eaten it regularly within the last several months.

If you eliminate all the gluten from your diet and still have uncomfortable symptoms, you might want to consider other food allergies or sensitivites. Most celiacs have initial lactose intolerance (milk sugar sensitivity). However many celiacs actually have a casein (milk protein) allergy. Allergy tests will show you which foods cause the symptoms which continue for months after you eliminate gluten.

I agree that I would rather test for food allergies, rather than just endure painful symptoms and try to figure out which food caused the problems. Unless I only eat one food per day, I wouldn't know which food to blame. Even the so-called 'safe' foods which are recommended for elimination (allergy detection) diets can cause allergic reactions for some people.

BURDEE

[happygirl]

Quest runs IgG food intolerance testing via bloodwork.

However, many have found its more accurate to see how you react rather than base it on lab tests alone.

Do you have reason to suspect your have multiple food intolerances?

[Guest kivmom3]

thanks for the info

Yes, i think i may have a few more food intolerances in addition to the gluten and soy. Soy I found out the hard way and got real sick after drinking it along with drinking ensure. The dietician recommended I load up on soymilk and ensure for the calories. That was a HUGE mistake! I had a few pieces (3) of Hershey's chocolate bar a few weeks back and got sick from it, cramping and going to the bathroom, so I'm wondering, casein? I haven't tried any milk since i got diagnosed, afraid to for now. I may have gotten sick from rice but at that time I was also drinking soy and ensure so I'm not positively sure, but I'm afraid to try it again for now.

Thanks for the information, I didn't think I was that nuts. I hope the celiac doctor is well versed in these food allergy/sensitivity tests .

Gg

[Josina]

I was told that for food allergies there are test, but intolerances you must do the elimination game.

I was fooled by a person saying she was a Holostic doctor and claims that she can cure Celiac Disease. She told me that it was all in my head and that if you believe you are Celiac then you can fool yourself into believing that.

I think I will stick with my medical doctor. I am just so afraid that someone might actually believe her in the future. She told me that my body told her that I was not????

I think there are alot of people out there who will try to get rich on other people's illnesses. I just recommend, if you are going to be tested for intolerances etc. please research before you spend any of your money and time.

[happygirl]

delayed food allergy = intolerance = IgG (or, can be IgA)

IgE is immediate "traditional" food allergy

So yes, IgG CAN be tested for. However, the elimination diet is often more reliable.