Full Version: Food Allergy Testing
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I want to be tested for food allergy's. What company do you recommend I go to? Since my DR doesnt believe in testing food allergys, I need to do this on my own.What foods should I get tested for? What company will provide testing on a larger number of possible food allergys? Thank you
QUOTE (kathy1 @ Feb 13 2008, 11:33 AM) 
I want to be tested for food allergy's. What company do you recommend I go to? Since my DR doesnt believe in testing food allergys, I need to do this on my own.What foods should I get tested for? What company will provide testing on a larger number of possible food allergys? Thank you
Just a thought -- one of my allergists didn't believe in food allergy testing either. He ended up being one of my best allergists for dealing with my "food" allergies.
Many food "allergies" are actually cross reactions to tree/grass/shrub/...pollens. That means the true issue is a pollen but you react when you eat a food. Ragweed tends to go with melons. Birch tends to go with pitted fruits. There are complete lists out there is you sense a "pattern". There are a few stray items this doesn't cover but for the most part it did very well.
Ok, warning, this is a sensitive subject for me right now 
First I took the A.L.C.A.T sensitivity test. I chose it because it tests the largest number of foods. Its kinda pricey and totally out of pocket. I reacted to at least a third of the 175 foods they tested me for. So, i'm looking at a huge food challenge test, because they are known for false positives. (note, if you leave the dots out of the name of that test on this board, it gets changed).
Well, just to cover my bases, I also went to an allergist who specailizes in food allergies. Since id never had allergy tests, he did a ton on me. Afterwards, he looked at me and said, well, you are allergic to your world. He did 2 levels - first the scratch, then, if i didnt react, he did an injection. I reacted to every tree, weed, mold and animal he tested me for. I reacted to all but 6 foods he tested me for.
So, i'm kinda starting from scratch anyways . . . trying to eliminate everything that showed up on either test and has never given me obvious problems would give me a break down. I could basically eat soy and seeds, potatoes and a few fruits and veggies. So i have to start somewhere with some sort of elimination diet. I was hoping the testing would give me a better place to start, but this didnt do much for me.
Other people swear the enterolab tests are more accurate, they just dont test for quite as many things.
Good luck figuring out your health issues, I know i'll need a lot of it.
First I took the A.L.C.A.T sensitivity test. I chose it because it tests the largest number of foods. Its kinda pricey and totally out of pocket. I reacted to at least a third of the 175 foods they tested me for. So, i'm looking at a huge food challenge test, because they are known for false positives. (note, if you leave the dots out of the name of that test on this board, it gets changed).
Well, just to cover my bases, I also went to an allergist who specailizes in food allergies. Since id never had allergy tests, he did a ton on me. Afterwards, he looked at me and said, well, you are allergic to your world. He did 2 levels - first the scratch, then, if i didnt react, he did an injection. I reacted to every tree, weed, mold and animal he tested me for. I reacted to all but 6 foods he tested me for.
So, i'm kinda starting from scratch anyways . . . trying to eliminate everything that showed up on either test and has never given me obvious problems would give me a break down. I could basically eat soy and seeds, potatoes and a few fruits and veggies. So i have to start somewhere with some sort of elimination diet. I was hoping the testing would give me a better place to start, but this didnt do much for me.
Other people swear the enterolab tests are more accurate, they just dont test for quite as many things.
Good luck figuring out your health issues, I know i'll need a lot of it.
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