What is a Food Intolerance Test?

Last Updated: 10th November 2022 · Written by Donna Mastriani

An intolerance test is an examination of a given sample (such as hair or blood) to check if the body has heightened levels of antibodies in reaction to certain foods. The test itself is easy, fast, and painless. It’s suitable for everyone from babies to pensioners.

This blogpost will discuss how it works, why you should get a food intolerance test and where to get one from.

How Does Food Intolerance Testing Work?

If you aren’t informed on it, food intolerance testing can feel more like a mystic art than a science. After all, it’s an impressive feat of science that with such a small sample size (just a few hairs or drops of blood) we can deduce how you’ll respond to an abundance of different foods. But how does it all work?

Despite what some may think, intolerance testing has been carefully refined and is highly scientific. Food intolerances can be related to enzyme issues, chemicals, histamines, and even toxins. We use these triggers to identify your problem foods or ingredients so that you know which ones to avoid.

You can expect the results that you’ll get from intolerance testing to be detailed, helpful, and supportive in making your food-focused life better than ever. Once you’re no longer battling with breakfast lunch and dinner, your relationship with food is greatly improved.

Intolerance Test Analysis

Once we receive your sample, you’ll be notified, so you know it won’t be too long before your results are ready.

First, all test samples are sorted, based on where they’ve come from, which test the customer is having, etc. Then, samples are taken through to the lab, where they are tested. Here’s how the process looks for blood samples:

“Your blood sample is turned into plasma (the liquid component of blood), and our lab technicians then analyse the immune-mediated intolerances, which produce IgG4 antibodies against 40 foods to generate a report. The report is then uploaded to your secure customer area for you to download.”

– Lifelab Testing

Your report indicates the severity of any reactions your sample indicated. It’s quite common for intolerance results to highlight foods you’ve regularly been eating – you might just need to vary your diet a little more.

Why Should I Get an Intolerance Test?

If you’re struggling with annoying symptoms not attributable to an underlying health issue, intolerance testing could help. Not only will it clear the fog and help you see which foods your body doesn’t cope with, but it could also help you get rid of those symptoms altogether (at the very least, you’ll be able to rule out your whether your diet is the perpetrator).

If you have an unaddressed food intolerance for too long, it will prevent you from performing at your best. if your body is too busy fending off against intolerance or allergy, it’s running itself down. There’s not enough energy left over to make you feel or act at your best. Here are a few reasons in favour of getting tested for intolerances:

• It’s simple and fast: Firstly, an intolerance test is fast and easy to complete. The results don’t demand a painful sacrifice of time or a large amount of soft tissue. You’ll get concrete results that are clear and concise.
• Understand your weird symptoms: Food intolerances can be difficult to figure out, especially since the symptoms are similar to many other conditions. An intolerance test takes the guessing out and lets you know what foods are causing what symptoms.
• Helps you get a full picture of your health: Understanding your food intolerances means understanding yourself that little bit better. It’ll help you manage your health more effectively and help make life more enjoyable for yourself and those around you.

Where to Get a Food Intolerance Testing Kit

At Lifelab Testing, we offer intolerance testing kits that contain everything you need to take a small blood sample in the comfort of your home. Learn more about our simple test kits below.

Basic Food Intolerance Test Home Kit

Do you suspect you know what’s to blame for your symptoms? If you’ve noticed that you consistently feel discomfort a couple of hours after eating a potential allergen (for example, gluten, dairy or milk), our basic intolerance testing kit is for you.

The basic kit can test for 40 common food and drink intolerances, is easy-to-use and delivered directly to your door. All you need to do is follow the instructions to take a quick skin-prick blood test at home, before sending it back to our scientists using the prepaid packaging provided.

Our team will analyse your sample, searching for an antibody known as IgG4. This is produced by your immune system every time you eat something that sparks your intolerance. A high presence of IgG4 will help us identify the substance that’s causing your problems.

Complete Food Intolerance Home Test Kit

Alternatively, you may have no idea what’s causing your symptoms. Almost anything can spark a food intolerance, so don’t give up if you’ve ruled out the common antigens such as gluten and lactose.

Our complete intolerance testing kit can identify 160 key food and drink intolerances in just one sample. This makes it a lot quicker and easier than other methods of diagnosis, such as the elimination method. Imagine trying to cut out 160 different foods in turn!

Once you’ve taken your test and received your results, our complete test also gives you access to a free 30-minute consultation with a qualified nutritionist. They will be able to guide you through the results of your test and advise you on any dietary steps to take in the future.

Order Your Food Intolerance Test Kit

Depending on whether you’ve opted for a blood or hair test, you’ll either print out a form or receive a kit in the post. The former is exclusively for hair tests and the latter – you guessed it – for blood only.

The reason for this is because of the ease with which hair samples can be obtained, compared to blood samples, which require the use of sterilised tools to help you safely pull out your blood.

For blood testers, this is the slightly uncomfortable part. But don’t worry, it’s not nearly as bad as a blood test at the hospital or having an injection. You’ll have to prick your finger using a lancet supplied in the testing kit and encourage your blood to flow out so you can send us your sample. Full instructions will be provided in the leaflet in the kit.

Hair testers have a better time with this, as they only need to supply a few relatively new hairs, which naturally fall out throughout the day anyway. Provided you don’t share a brush; you can take a few hairs from it and send them in.

Overall, intolerance testing is ideal for anyone who’s struggling with strange symptoms, and it’ll make everything better. You’ll have a better understanding of your body and be able to work with it instead of against it. Our certified team promise 100% accurate results or your money back. So, what are you waiting for? Order your intolerance test from Lifelab Testing today or take our quiz to find out which test is best suited to you.