Before I pay a fortune tomorrow, do allergy tests work?

[BottySpottom]

I am seriously considering paying for some private tests to find out what food allergies or intolerances I have. I am fed up with being so bloated etc.

I know the tests whereby a probe is put on a finger tip were scorned by the medical profession years ago, but is this still the case?

Many thanks

It is generally thought that the iGg tests aren't reliable, but there's been some fairly good research recently to show that the level of the reading could indicate an intolerance - ie the higher the reading the more likely you have an intolerance.

There is a big difference between an iGg and iGE reaction BTW. IgE is more an indication of an anaphylactic type reaction than an intolerance.

The only true way to tell if you have an intolerance is to do an elimination / rechallenge diet, but they're bloody hard work and quite demotivating.

in a rush - short answer is not that type. Post symptoms here and get free advice that is probably just as good.

Thank you all very much. I had read in the past that they were generally scorned by medics, but a my son's teacher has had great success with a local lady that does them.

I know I 'should' do an elimination diet and I think I may have wheat intollerance, but then we have a breadmaker and it all goes pear shaped.

Thank you again ... you've probably saved me a lot of money!

Sorry, Puffy - I'm afraid I'm not familiar with iGg and IgE tests - are these the sort where they use a probe agains a finger?

bottyspottom

no!

IGg and IgE tests, are blood tests.

the probe tests are well in the realms of quackery , dont spend money on this.

May I just point out that "allergy" and "intolerance" are two very different things. And that if you are bloated, then you don't have allergies but might be intolerant to something you eat.

Thanks CoteDAzur - I think I have both actually. I get localised itching when I eat some foods and bloating discomfort for others.

Have a proper test done with a medical practitioner.
I foolishly paid £20 once to have a "test" done and it involved me lifting up my arm, whilst the "practisioner" held a vial in one hand and with the other she would push my arm and check the "resistance"
It was totally rubbish, but i did get £10 back as i stopped half-way through her "consultation".
I thought it would have been pin-prick test or similar.

Ripeberry

Who did you go to? A voodoo priest?

No, one of those "phychic fairs" Don't worry i've learnt my lesson.

You may want to see if there is a pharmacist near you for this test, which I believe is an IgE blood test. www.allergyuk.org/news_pharmacyfaq.aspx

However if you're worried about wheat it is probably not going to help as it sounds more intolerance than allergy. I think some pharmacies may also offer a coeliac screen (blood test) and that would possibly be more use. You could also try the digestive enzymes that help with gluten - either Biocare Glutenzyme Plus (possibly in health food stores, about 9 pounds) or Peptizyde (probably better but internet only and twice the price).

If allergy testing was as easy as health food stores and psychic fairs tell you it is, then conventional doctors would do it that way too.

Don't pay money. If you suspect that a particular food is disagreeing with you, then stop eating it. Job done.

A fab place to go to buy crystals, incense and t shirts with pictures of First Nation Americans on, A very bad place indeed to seek advice about emotional or physical health. There are people who will photograph your aura then tell you that your chakras are unbalanced but don't worry the practicioner can rebalance them for you for a down payment of £50 and easy installments of £20 a week for the necessary herbs.

If bloating is your main issue then you could be reacting to wheat, yeast or gluten. For a gluten free elimination, take out wheat oats and rye but keep in yeast (ie in stock cubes and stuff). for wheat, eliminate wheat but keep in oats and yeast. For yeast, check packets & eliminate all breads with yeast. But do each one at a time so you can tell which one is causing an issue.

There are some good stool analysis tests available now which will tell you if there is a likelihood of leaky gut / gluten sensitivity / low acidopilus levels / candida overgrowth - I can direct you to a site if you want. You pay for the test then a stool sample is sent for analysis.

sounds like ripeberry had kinesiology which hasn't been scientifically proved either - and the finger probe tests are the vega / best machines = not scientifically proven and regularly rubbished !

I spoke to the lady recommended to me as she called me back today. She didn't sound too sharp (apparently her probe has a little computer in it!!).

Thanks Puffy - how long would you each of those phases for?

I have a strang reaction to sugar sometimes - esp when breastfeeding for some strange reason. Do people have intollerances to sugar?

1-2 weeks for each.. then when you rechallenge eat 3 portions of something on day 1, then wait another 2 days to watch for a reaction without reintroducing anything new. IYCWIM

ie cut out wheat for 1-2 weeks. rechallenege by having 3 portions of pasta / shredded wheat in the same day. Give it 2-3 days to see if you react.

I bet you're reacting to yeast if sugar also causes an issue. Have a look on line at candida overgrowth
HTH

Thanks Puffy

Puffy, are there any websites that you know of that will give me more advice of what contains gluten etc (never sure whether things like oats contain gluten for example).

Thanks.

Puffy can you also please point me to the site that does stool tests?

Botty, the Coeliac Society do a booklet which has info on what foods are gluten-free, I think.

Thanks Meg

Hi Botty
Gluten foods are all wheat, oats, rye and I think there's some question over barley..

the site that offers stool testing is www.candidatest.co.uk, you can get a variety of tests done from one sample ie a test to indicate if there are food intolerances (but not what they are) as well as bacteria / parasites.

Hope that helps