Premium Food Sensitivity Test

If you want to know what might be causing symptoms such as IBS, headaches, bloating or tiredness, then a food sensitivity test could help. Food intolerances can develop at any time – Dr. Gill Hart explains more about how people develop food sensitivities in our blog.

At YorkTest, we define food sensitivity, and food intolerance testing, as looking for any food-specific IgG reactions in the body. IgG is an antibody called Immunoglobulin G.

It’s a little bit different from food allergy testing, which searches for a different antibody response that causes an allergic reaction.

Our at home food sensitivity tests check to see how your immune system reacts to different food groups, looking for those IgG reactions.

Every test is different but at YorkTest, we analyze IgG reactions to 200 food and drink ingredients. With so much data, you might be surprised to learn which foods trigger your immune system’s response – while groups such as dairy and wheat are commonly known, the foods you react to could be fruit, fish, or even that herb that you can’t resist adding to every dish.

Once you’ve taken a food sensitivity test, you’ll be able to understand which types of food cause your body to have an adverse immune response, triggering uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea or gas.

We send out a kit to collect your sample, before running tests in our laboratory to get the results.

It’s easy to take the test. Once you place your order, we’ll mail a kit out to your address, along with its instructions. We’ll aim to mail the kit  either the same day or the next working day.

In each kit, you’ll find a cleansing wipe for your finger, two lancets (single-use), an absorbent wand, a secure container for the wand. Use the kit to gently prick your finger to collect a blood sample – the process is little more than a scratch, we promise!

Your sample can be registered on our Wellness Hub, and just send it back to us in the mail.

When we receive your test, we get to analyzing and processing it in our laboratories. As part of our food intolerance testing, we search for any food-specific IgG reactions in the body – IgG is an antibody called Immunoglobulin G, and it can show when your body is responding adversely to a substance, which can result in uncomfortable symptoms.

Your results will be available through our Wellness Hub, along with guidance to help you take back control of your health and wellbeing. You will then be able to book a consultation with a qualified Nutritional Therapist.

At YorkTest, we define food sensitivity, and food intolerance testing, as looking for any food-specific IgG reactions in the body. IgG is an antibody called Immunoglobulin G. After collecting your sample, we run tests in our laboratory to see which foods are causing any IgG reactions.

The reproducibility rate of our tests is over 98%. This means that when we take the same person’s sample and run the same tests, the results will correlate with each other more than 98% of the time.

We test for all four subtypes of IgG, analyzing your sample for reactions to 200 food and drink ingredients. This reduces the risk of any reaction being missed.

As well as being highly accurate, you can have peace of mind when reading the results of your food sensitivity test, knowing that so many foods have been tested.

Depending on your personal food fingerprint, you could be sensitive to pretty much anything from chickpeas to beef – this is why taking a food sensitivity test is so important to help you identify the cause and help reduce the symptoms. However, there are certain products that are more common on the results of our food intolerance test reports for our customers. You can view the full range of what we test for in the section above.

According to Very Well Health, here are a number of commonly-identified food sensitivities:

Gluten: Used in many baked goods, and is also in lots of sauces and gravies. Being sensitive to gluten is different to having celiac disease, which is a lifelong autoimmune condition. Learn more about what gluten is and why it is bad for some people over on our blog.

Nuts: Being sensitive to nuts doesn’t necessarily mean you are allergic to them. Allergies can often cause very severe reactions so it’s important to take a specific food allergy test to identify any risk.

Nut sensitivity symptoms can still be uncomfortable, and according to our research, can also take up to 72 hours to show. Lots of people experience peanut sensitivities specifically – which are technically classified as legumes or tree nuts – but you could have an intolerance to nuts as well.

Dairy: Symptoms can flare when the body doesn’t have enough lactase (an enzyme) to digest the sugar from lactose found in dairy products. The food-specific IgG test does not test for lactose intolerance, but it does test for reactions to a product called casein also makes dairy hard to digest and can lead to food sensitivity symptoms.

If you love coffee but have a dairy intolerance, there are lots of dairy-free alternatives to milk to choose from. However, many people also are sensitive to the proteins in the caffeinated drink, so it’s good to take a test before eliminating anything from your diet.

High FODMAP foods: FODMAPs are a group of carbohydrates: fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols.

High FODMAP foods can be harder for your body to digest, which can lead to discomfort such as bloating. Research has shown that eliminating triggering FODMAPs from your diet can help with alleviating IBS symptoms.

We listed some high FODMAP foods and low FODMAP alternatives on our blog.

Food sensitivities can cause a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms.

Because food intolerances are linked to your gut health, many people know that if they’re suffering from digestive complaints or even nausea then they might be sensitive to certain foods. However, the list of symptoms is much longer.

Lots of people will experience joint pain due to their lifestyle or simply growing older. But it could also be due to a food sensitivity, exacerbated by your body’s immune system targeting your joints and causing them to swell.

Other aches and pains such as regular migraines or headaches could also be triggered by specific foods – as well as food intolerance testing, it’s important to seek advice from your medical practitioner to rule out any underlying conditions.

Fatigue and tiredness could also be caused by dips in energy levels caused by specific foods. Food intolerances can sometimes make it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight too

Conditions such as eczema and asthma are caused by an overactive immune system. Identifying your specific food triggers using a food sensitivity test could help to manage the immune response and reduce the symptoms. Even if you have less severe skin irritation or respiratory problems, knowing the food triggers can help you to avoid them.

Anxiety and depression are complex mental health conditions and you should always seek help from a medical practitioner. As part of your treatment, understanding what foods cause uncomfortable symptoms could impact your daily wellbeing. We explain more about the science of the role diet has on mood in our blog post.

If you regularly experience symptoms such as stomach cramps, headaches, nausea, tiredness or uncomfortable, itchy skin, then a food trigger could be the cause.

Anyone suffering from any of these complaints can take this at home food sensitivity test. It’s a simple way to try and identify which types of food could be linked to your body’s reactions.

Our test analyzes IgG reactions to 200 food and drink ingredients. With this information, you can start to eliminate those foods from your diet to try and reduce the risk of discomfort.

All of our customers receive a 30-minute consultation with one of our nutritionists after receiving the results so that they can discuss the best way to refine their diet using their specific food fingerprint.

Our main food sensitivity test is designed for individuals aged 18 and over. However, we do have a wider range of food intolerance testing for children aged 2-17 years old, and offer a parent and child testing package to help your whole family.

Severe food sensitivity symptoms can also be due to underlying medical conditions – so always consult with your medical practitioner. Our information is intended to provide nutritional advice for dietary optimization.

We don’t advise anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding to take a test and then embark on a restricted diet, due to the specific nutritional needs of your body at this time.

Restricted dieting to eliminate food sensitivity triggers could increase the risk of developing or worsening disordered eating behavior. If you’re suffering or recovering from any kind of eating disorder, our test might not be suitable. Always consult with your medical practitioner before taking a test.

It’s important to remember that a food allergy and a food sensitivity are different things. At YorkTest, we also refer to a food sensitivity as a food intolerance.

To identify food intolerances, our food sensitivity tests analyze each sample for any food-specific IgG reactions in the body. IgG is an antibody called Immunoglobulin G. Food allergies, on the other hand, are caused by IgE, or Immunoglobulin E reactions

Food allergies are more rare than food sensitivities – less than 10% of adults and children have a food allergy, but it is estimated that 45% of the population have some kind of food sensitivity.

However, allergic symptoms are also often much more severe. Once the body has been exposed to food it’s allergic to, reactions can happen immediately. Food sensitivity reactions tend to take place up to 72 hours after consumption.

If you want to learn more about whether you might have a food allergy or food sensitivity, read our advice chart.

Specialist food allergy testing can help to identify what your body is allergic to. For food intolerances, our at home food sensitivity test can show you which types of food might trigger a reaction, enabling you to adapt your diet and avoid the foods that trigger you.

Allergies are an autoimmune response to foods such as nuts, eggs, shellfish and dairy, and are life-threatening in severe cases. Even a small amount, or trace, can cause a reaction in some people.

The most common symptoms include itchiness, hives, stomach pain and vomiting. Suffers may also struggle to breathe or even pass out due to anaphylaxis.

It’s important to distinguish between allergies and food sensitivities or intolerances. A sudden onset of symptoms indicates an allergy, which may be mild enough to treat at home with antihistamines, or serious enough to require a shot of adrenaline from an epi-pen and hospitalization.

Food intolerances can be difficult to identify. You might experience pain, discomfort or bloating after meals, or persistent tiredness. Though not life-threatening, they still affect people’s quality of life.

Our Premium Food Sensitivity Test is not an allergy test – it tests for foods and drinks that you may be sensitive, but not necessarily allergic to.

You might have stomach pains, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, including IBS, immediately after eating, or headaches or migraines. Some people experience itchiness after eating foods such as dairy, or a flare-up of existing conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, while some suffer unexplained fatigue or low mood.

Symptoms usually occur not long after eating but their duration depends on a number of factors.

They may last a few hours then subside as long as you don’t eat any more of the food you’re intolerant to. However, symptoms can persist for weeks and even months if you continue to eat the food regularly and in larger quantities.

People with intolerances don’t always know exactly which ingredient(s) affect them so they might feel tired or bloated, or suffer from itchy skin all the time. They sometimes have a good idea of what’s causing their discomfort but a food sensitivity test provides greater certainty, enabling them to cut out foods that could cause an adverse reaction.

Food sensitivities can emerge in childhood and, as with adults, more usually cause stomach pain, bloating and diarrhea. They may grow out of their intolerances or it could be a life-long condition.

Growing numbers of adults today have a suspected or confirmed food intolerance. Some have had it their whole life but didn’t know the symptoms they were experiencing were caused by eating particular foods, while others developed digestive sensitivities later on.

Gluten (mainly wheat and barley) and lactose (milk) are often the cause of their sensitivity, and there are a number of theories behind this. It could be that, as we age, our bodies find it more difficult to produce the enzymes that enable us to break down proteins such as lactose. The food-specific IgG test will determine whether there is a sensitivity to dairy (milk) but will not show up reactions to milk sugar (lactose).

Modern food processing methods have been blamed too. For instance, people with a yeast intolerance may suffer a reaction to mass-produced baked goods containing baker’s yeast but are able to eat naturally-fermented sourdough with no ill effects.

While stress isn’t thought to cause food intolerances, it could be a trigger. Sensitivities you’ve had all your life may only become noticeable when experiencing stress later in life. Symptoms for stress and food intolerances can be similar – itchy skin, bloating, headaches and so on – so always speak to a medical practitioner if you’re concerned.

We aim to make the testing and results process as straightforward as possible, while still giving you all the information you need to take control of your health.

Once you’ve sent us your sample, our in-house team of experts will analyze and test it for intolerances. The results are sent to you securely so you receive them within seven days. Contained within your own Wellness Hub is an easy-to-understand explanation of your results, including a traffic light-style guide and specific reactivity values that represent the level of any intolerances. We also provide nutritional advice and insights to help you adapt your diet if needed.

An elimination diet is recommended for anyone with suspected food sensitivities – but identifying the proteins that cause an adverse reaction isn’t always easy. You may suffer bloating after eating bread for example, but is gluten or yeast to blame? Other less common triggers, such as carrots, lentils and almonds, can sometimes be missed too.

Elimination diets are hard to stick to, and you may end up unnecessarily cutting out nutrients that benefit your health, or foods that you enjoy.

It takes around three months to complete the elimination phase and then you have to introduce foods slowly, carefully noting down any reactions. But testing beforehand means you already have a good idea of what you’re sensitive to. Using our traffic light system, where red indicates high reactivity and green normal reactivity, you’ll be able to see which food to cut out and include first.

When you get your results, you can also book a consultation with one of our nutritionists who’ll help you to interpret them, advise on eating plans, offer alternatives to replace trigger foods and help ensure you’re still enjoying your food, even if you’re on an elimination diet.

Medical tests and treatments can add up, which is why many Americans have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) in place, allowing them to make pre-tax savings to put towards medical expenses.

Since YorkTest’s Premium Food Sensitivity Test is typically considered a qualified medical expense, it is covered under most plans so you should be able to use your savings as payment.

Food sensitivity tests help you to identify digestive problems that could be causing discomfort and pain and address them with dietary changes. A qualified medical expense is defined as the cost of a treatment, cure, diagnosis, mitigation or prevention of a disease, which is why our tests might be included. However, it’s always worth checking with your provider before making a purchase.

For more details, click here.

If you require more information on the HSA/FSA scheme, you can read the following article https://www.forbes.com/advisor/taxes/healthcare-fsa-vs-hsa/

With so many food sensitivity tests on the market, how do you choose the right one for you?

It goes without saying that accuracy is key, otherwise you may continue eating foods that cause symptom flare-ups or cut them out unnecessarily.

YorkTest has been supporting people for 40 years, and has stringent testing and quality control processes in place. Today, we have a more than 98% reproducibility rate, which means two different results of the same person’s sample will correlate with each other more than 98% of the time.

We use a unique wand system which ensures the sample is protected and stable during transit. Testing is carried out by trained, qualified scientists at our in-house laboratory, and every sample has a unique number allowing us to track it and ensure confidentiality.

All our equipment is fully maintained and calibrated to ensure the accuracy of your results, and we use the latest IT systems to manage our lab processes. Only when we’re completely satisfied with the results and process are they sent to you.

Our scientific expertise informs everything we do, from the design and manufacture of blood collection kits to the development, manufacturing and quality control of the food-specific IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests, and results approval.

Many companies claim they can identify food intolerances from a hair sample – however, their claims are unfounded by science.

Not only are ineffective hair tests a waste of money, a false positive might mean you cut out food that is nutritious and that you enjoy, while a false negative could lead you to continue eating food that causes pain and discomfort.

IgG is a type of antibody – immune response – sometimes formed when people react to certain foods. It’s a key indicator of sensitivity and is only found in blood, not hair samples.

Like all our home testing kits, the YorkTest Premium Food Sensitivity Test is easy-to-use and you’ll only feel a slight scratch or pinch when taking your sample, so don’t worry if you’re nervous about needles. All samples are processed by fully-trained and qualified scientists in our state-of-the-art labs, so you can be confident your result is highly accurate. This is what sets YorkTest apart from other home test providers, including some who test for IgG antibodies.

Our at home allergy test is easy-to-use and virtually painless. We’ll mail a kit out to your address within 1-3 business days, and inside you’ll find clear instructions on how to take your test. Once you receive your home test kit, simply register it at our secure Customer Wellness Hub by logging in or creating an account.

Every kit contains a cleansing wipe for your finger, two single-use lancets, a blood collection tube and case, labels and bandages. Use the lancet to carefully prick your finger and collect the blood sample, and then send it back to us in the mail. Our laboratory will process the sample and you’ll have the results of your at home food allergy test within 7 days.

Testing is carried out by qualified and trained scientists, who look at IgE reactions to 15 foods and 15 environmental allergens. Your body’s response to the antibody IgE, or immunoglobulin E, indicates that you may have an allergy to certain proteins.

Your personalized report containing the results will be sent to you via email, and our customer care team will help you interpret them and advise on your next steps.

Designed to accurately measure IgE – or antibody – responses in the body, our allergy test kits cover 15 important foods and 15 environmental allergens. They include some of the most common, like peanuts, soy, eggs and milk as well as certain types of fruit, fish and meat.

As well as identifying food allergies, the test covers environmental allergens, such as pet dander (skin flakes), tree pollens, molds, dust mites and more.

High IgE levels indicate that you might be allergic to the proteins found in one or more of the above. It happens when your body wrongly perceives something to be dangerous, which sparks an immune response and the symptoms we associate with allergies.

When people suffer an allergic reaction, they produce IgE antibodies almost immediately, as the body tries to fight off the perceived threat. We can measure these levels to identify potential allergic reactions.

The symptoms you experience – which can include swelling, vomiting and diarrhea, and even anaphylaxis – are your body’s response. For example, vomiting will cause you to expel the food, while swelling follows the release of histamine, used to fight the allergen.

Our at home allergy tests are accurate and have been developed to give you peace-of-mind when making health choices.

Thanks to our highly-skilled scientists and state-of-the-art labs our food and environmental-specific IgE antibody (allergy) blood tests are of the same standard used by health and allergy professionals.

We have stringent checks in place to prevent contamination and safeguard the security of your sample. Everything from ordering and dispatch to processing takes place at our laboratories. The blood collection kits also comply with national and international regulations. You can learn more about us and about the accuracy of our tests here.

You’ll have seen food allergens listed on products in shops and dishes in restaurants – it’s something businesses are legally obliged to do.

Some of the most common allergens are peanuts, milk, tree nuts (such as almonds and cashews), soy, wheat, milk, fish and crustaceans (including shellfish, like crab or shrimp). Under the Food Allergens Labeling and Consumer Protection Acts (FALCPA), all of these must be clearly labeled.

However, there are other common allergens which don’t need to be listed in the US, though you will see them on packages and menus in the EU and UK. They include celery and mustard, mollusks such as squid, and sesame seeds. Our at home allergy test covers a range of prevalent allergens, as well as less common ones.

As well as food, we also test for 15 environmental allergens. Some of the most common include pet dander (skin flakes), tree pollens, molds and house dust mites (D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae). Knowing what might cause an allergy to flare up is the first step towards a healthier and more enjoyable life.

You might see them used interchangeably but a food allergy is not the same as a food intolerance or sensitivity, as we explore in further detail in this article. Food intolerances are far more common than allergies – food allergies affect less than 10% of people whereas intolerances affect around 45%.

Food allergies are caused by IgE (immunoglobulin E) responses, whereas food intolerances are caused by IgG (immunoglobulin G) reactions.

They’re both types of antibodies, released when our body perceives a particular protein to be a threat. However, while an allergic (IgE) reaction to an allergen is almost immediate, it can take around 72 hours for food sensitivity symptoms to appear after eating. In addition to an allergy test, we also offer a food sensitivity test, which can help you identify intolerances to a wide range of ingredients found in food and drink.

Even if you’ve only had mild symptoms of an allergy – such as sneezing, itching, stomach pains and/or vomiting – it’s wise to get an at home allergy test. Since some allergies get worse over time, trying to identify them early on enables you to identify triggers and help towards preventing a reaction in future.

A severe allergic reaction – which may include difficulty breathing and swelling – requires urgent medical attention. People with known serious allergies often carry an epi-pen, which delivers a shot of adrenaline to prevent anaphylactic shock. Individuals who have used an epi-pen will need to attend the ER for observation.

Our IgE allergy test kit provides results for 15 food allergens (including peanuts and certain types of fish, meats and fruits) and 15 environmental allergens (including pollens, pet dander and dust mites).

They’re suitable for anyone above the age of four and who isn’t currently pregnant or breastfeeding. If you suspect you have an allergy, including one that’s appeared during pregnancy, speak to your medical practitioner. Due to the specific nutritional needs of your body at this time, we cannot offer advice or suggest lifestyle changes.

While you might have a good idea of what you’re allergic to, your results might highlight allergens you didn’t know about. Since some people find that allergies get worse over time, it’s worth knowing what they are even if you don’t have any obvious symptoms, so you can make informed choices.

Our home allergy test is for anyone who wants to take control of their health and find out more.

Allergy symptoms are mild for many people, and amount to little more than itching, a rash and/or a runny nose.

Severe allergies, on the other hand, could cause life-threatening anaphylaxis – and signs to look out for include swelling of the mouth or throat and difficulty breathing, a rapid heartbeat and vomiting.

Anyone experiencing anaphylaxis requires urgent medical attention. People with known serious allergies often carry an epi-pen, which delivers a shot of adrenaline to prevent anaphylactic shock. Once an epi-pen has been used, the individual should go to the ER for further checks.

Mild allergies can be managed by avoiding food or environmental triggers, or with antihistamine tablets. Knowing what will cause an allergy to flare up enables you to take preventative measures – for example, carrying a pack of antihistamines if you’re visiting friends with pets.

By taking a food allergy test, you can identify foods that could cause an adverse reaction and make changes to your lifestyle.

For more information on allergies, please see https://www.aafa.org/

People with allergies manage rather than cure their condition – usually with medications such as antihistamines, and by trying to avoid anything that causes a reaction. In many cases, you don’t have to make drastic lifestyle changes. For example, you might choose a hypoallergenic dog breed or different plants for your garden.

Many children outgrow allergies, which are often to milk or eggs.

For severe allergies, which can’t be easily managed with medication and avoidance, a course of desensitization therapy may be recommended by a medical practitioner.

This involves exposing the sufferer to small quantities of the allergen in a controlled environment with medics on hand in case you suffer a reaction. The treatment is designed to train your immune system so it no longer reacts to it. Evidence suggests that people who undergo desensitization treatment aren’t cured completely but are less likely to suffer a serious reaction in future.

Most people with allergies have them as a baby or child – and many grow out of them as their body realizes the allergen isn’t harmful to them.

But some adults have reported allergies developing later in life, although the reasons behind this aren’t conclusive. It could be that they’ve always been allergic to something but never been exposed to it before, or in high quantities. Being immunocompromised due to illness or pregnancy can also cause people to develop allergies as an adult.

Our goal is to make the testing and results process as straightforward as possible, so you have all the information and advice you need to make positive decisions.

Once you’ve sent us your sample, our in-house team of experts will analyze and test it for IgE reactions. You’ll receive your results via email within 7 days. Along with your results, you’ll also find guidance on how to interpret them and an easy-to-understand traffic light system showing a score for your results.

People sometimes have mixed feelings when they receive their results of their at home allergy test. On the one hand you might feel relieved that you know what is causing an adverse reaction. But you may also be anxious about what this means – will you have to give up your favorite foods or even your pet or garden plants?

Like any condition, knowledge empowers you to make better health decisions. Of course, you should completely avoid anything that causes a serious reaction and puts your health at risk but for milder allergies, a few simple changes can make a big difference.

Encouraging your pet to spend more time outdoors could reduce the amount of dander in your home and alleviate your symptoms. You might ask someone to cut the lawn for you if it triggers hay fever, or choose plants that won’t make you sneeze. Your favorite foods can often be swapped out with alternatives that are just as tasty

With 40 years’ experience, we’re continually developing and refining our processes. This means our food and environmental-specific IgE antibody (allergy) blood tests are of the same standard used by health and allergy specialists.

Your sample is tested by trained and qualified scientists in our state-of-the-art lab, and is given a unique identifier so we can track it at every step and ensure confidentiality.

The equipment in our lab is fully-maintained and calibrated, and we use the latest IT systems to manage our lab processes – all of which ensures high levels of accuracy. The results are analyzed and when they’re completely satisfied, will be sent out to you.

Unlike some other at home allergy test services, our processes are firmly grounded in science. Our blood collection kits are industry-leading, as are the scientific processes we use to measure IgE antibodies in your blood. The service doesn’t end when you receive your results either – we offer tailored advice and after-care to help you manage your allergies.