Intolerance Vs Allergy

[jenvan]

Hey all! I was wondering, what is the difference for a food intolerance vs. a food allergy? I wanted to get tested for additional intolerances, but my doc did an allergy test. The results came back negative. I want to make sure I have actually been tested for INTOLERANCES, not a classic allergies. How do you test for those-what are indicators? What's the difference? Thanks!!

[kabowman]

According to York labs

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an intolerance is a different "level" of allergy but an intolerance won't show up with traditional allergy testing. None of my docs will support the findings saying they are too broad but I know almost everyone on these boards swear by them.

[jenvan]

Thanks Kate! I see you definitely have additional intolerances. Aside from improvements at removing gluten, have you been able to notice an improvement from removing your other intolerances?

[tarnalberry]

The way the terminology is used, an allergy means a response by your immune system that is IgE based (one of the immunoglobulins) whereas an intolerance is IgG based (a different immunoglobulin). Celiac disease happens to add an additional factor that it is an autoimmune disease where the consequences of the IgG response to wheat proteins additionally involves damage to the intestines. Not all intolerances cause this damage.