Food allergy tests are likely more accurate than food sensitivity tests for determining which foods may be causing your symptoms. Here’s where to buy them online.
| Sample type | Tests for | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Everlywell Food Allergy Test | blood | at-home | almond, cow’s milk, egg white, egg yolk, peanut, shrimp, soy, tuna, wheat | $149 at Everlywell |
| Labcorp Food Allergy Test | blood | in person | egg white, milk, wheat, corn, codfish, clam, shrimp, scallop, walnut, peanut, soy, sesame seed | $199 at Labcorp |
| Quest Food Allergy Test | blood | in person | almond, cashew, codfish, cow’s milk, egg white, hazelnut, peanut, salmon, scallop, sesame seed, shrimp, soy tuna, walnut, wheat | $179 at Quest |
Want to learn more about a test? Read our product reviews.
Food intolerances, food sensitivities, and food allergies can all produce negative symptoms, ranging from undesirable to downright dangerous. Food intolerances can produce uncomfortable or inconvenient issues, while food sensitivities and food allergies trigger various immune system responses.
Figuring out which foods cause problematic symptoms is complicated. Food sensitivities aren’t well understood, and the tests for the antibody reactions they cause are unreliable.
Food allergy tests for antibody reactions they cause are typically more reliable, so allergy tests may provide information about foods that are potentially dangerous for you. You could determine food sensitivity or intolerance in this case by testing and excluding legitimate food allergies.
We’ll explain what we know about food sensitivities and why food allergies can be easier to diagnose. Plus, which tests are best for what.
The terms “food sensitivity,” “food allergy,” and “food intolerance” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Below are some key differences
Food
intolerance & sensitivity
- Intolerance: when your body lacks the necessary enzymes to break down a food
- Sensitivity: believed to result from an immune reaction from antibodies immunoglobulins G, M, and A (IgG, IgM, IgA)
- Intolerance: symptoms may include stomach upset or digestive problems
- Sensitivity: symptoms may include digestive distress, joint pain, brain fog, and migraine
Food
allergy
- severe immune response to food
- often caused by increased product of an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE)
- symptoms occur within 2 hours
symptoms may includeTrusted Source hives, tongue swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and dizziness- food allergies can be life threatening
A note for New York residents
At-home test kits are not available to ship to New York state because of state regulations around testing.
In short, no. There’s limited evidence to support using a food sensitivity test at home.
Yet
What’s more, many of the studies that companies cite to support using these tests are outdated or have been published in journals that aren’t considered reputable.
Some tests claim to help you understand how your body may respond to certain foods based on factors such as your genetic background. However, the
Multiple organizations, including the
Notably, food sensitivity tests aren’t a replacement for a personalized care plan from a doctor or registered dietitian.
David D. Clarke, a board certified gastroenterologist and president of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association, explains that many gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms incorrectly attributed to food sensitivity can be caused by conditions including:
If you experience symptoms, including hives, itching, and swelling after eating certain foods, it’s important to rule out food allergies, which can be quite serious. In some cases, food allergies may lead to anaphylaxis, which can be life threatening.
Doctors commonly use certain tests to diagnose food allergies:
- Skin test: This type of test involves pricking your skin with a probe that contains a small amount of food allergen and monitoring your reaction.
- Blood test: This test helps determine whether you’re allergic to specific foods by measuring the amounts of certain antibodies in your blood.
- Oral food challenge: This procedure involves consuming small amounts of a suspected allergen under a doctor’s supervision. They will keep emergency equipment and medication on hand in case of a severe reaction.
Learn more about food allergy testing.
A note on at-home food allergy tests
For people who suspect they may have food sensitivities or mild food allergies, an at-home food allergy test may be a first step in identifying potentially problematic foods.
The first step part is important. At-home food allergy tests aren’t as comprehensive or conclusive as food allergy tests administered by a medical professional. In particular, there are concerns about the high rate of false positives associated with them.
The AAAAI doesn’t currently endorse the use of at-home allergy testing. Additionally, at-home food allergy tests can’t officially diagnose a food allergy. At best, these tests may help reveal the potential for a food allergy, which can only be diagnosed by a doctor.
If your results suggest that you may have a potential allergy, make an appointment with an allergist to ensure accurate interpretation and establish a follow-up plan.
Note that these tests aren’t suitable for people with severe allergy symptoms.
According to Clarke, many conditions may cause symptoms that can be incorrectly attributed to food sensitivity, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, gallstones, and peptic ulcers.
Other potential culprits include:
- Stress: Feeling stressed can cause symptoms such as digestive issues, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
- Dehydration: In addition to dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue, not drinking enough water
can also leadTrusted Source to issues such as constipation. - Sleep deprivation: Getting poor or inadequate sleep
can causeTrusted Source brain fog, trouble focusing, and digestive symptoms. - Medications: Certain medications can cause side effects that may be similar to symptoms of a food sensitivity, including nausea, diarrhea, headaches, runny nose, and fatigue.
- Dietary habits: What you eat and drink can greatly affect your digestive system and may contribute to issues such as bloating. Some nutritional deficiencies can also
contributeTrusted Source to brain fog, fatigue, and depression. - Food intolerance: Food intolerances may result in GI-related symptoms if your body cannot digest certain foods. Common sources of food intolerance include lactose, caffeine, sulfites, certain food additives, and fructose, which is a type of sugar found in fruits.
- Start a food and symptom journal: This can help you notice patterns to determine whether certain ingredients may be causing digestive issues or other symptoms. If you prefer not to keep a written record, several apps can make logging more convenient.
- Make an appointment with a doctor or dietitian: A healthcare professional can help you rule out other potential causes of symptoms and determine whether you may have a food allergy or intolerance. They may also recommend an elimination diet to help identify potential trigger foods.
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, check out our FindCare tool.
It’s debatable. Food sensitivity tests measure the level of IgG antibodies in your blood after exposure to various food allergens. The higher the level of antibodies, the test companies say, the greater the chance of a food sensitivity.
But these tests are not widely accepted in the medical world. Many experts warn that the IgG measure is not an accurate or reliable marker of food sensitivity. There are also concerns about the high rate of false positives with the tests.
For example, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology advises against using them.
So far, no food sensitivity test has earned approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
At this time, no food sensitivity test has FDA approval . The best way to identify potential food sensitivities is by working closely with a registered dietitian or other qualified healthcare professional, who may recommend an elimination diet.
Except for lactose and fructose intolerances, which can be diagnosed using breath tests, there are currently no validated biomarkers to test for food intolerances. Instead, food intolerances are generally diagnosed through elimination diets.
The Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test uses IgG levels to determine potential food sensitivities. However, the presence of IgG has not been proven to be an accurate or reliable marker of food sensitivity.
Taking a food sensitivity test at home is not currently considered a reliable or accurate method of diagnosing food sensitivities.
A food allergy test may reveal a potential for a food allergy, but only a medical professional such a doctor can provide a true diagnosis.
If you experience symptoms after eating certain foods, it’s best to talk with a health professional. They can rule out other potential causes, determine the best course of treatment, and provide guidance on necessary dietary changes.
