Food Intolerance Test
Food Intolerance and Food Intolerance Tests
Symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain or diarrhoea after meals may be related to food. However, these symptoms do not always indicate food intolerance. A proper assessment involves reviewing the characteristics of the symptoms, the foods consumed and the person's medical history together.
What is food intolerance?
Food intolerance refers to adverse reactions that occur after consuming a food or food component and are not explained by allergic mechanisms. An inability to digest or absorb certain food components may cause these reactions. For example, in lactose intolerance, digestive symptoms may develop due to a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar.
Symptoms may vary depending on the amount consumed. A person may tolerate small amounts of a food but experience discomfort when consuming more.
What is a food intolerance test?
Various tests are offered under the name “food intolerance test”. Some comprehensive blood panels measure IgG antibodies produced against various foods.
However, detecting IgG against a food does not prove that the food causes symptoms. These antibodies may also be present in healthy individuals as a natural result of exposure to food. Therefore, IgG panels are not tests that definitively identify which foods you are intolerant to. Professional allergy organisations do not recommend using these panels to diagnose food allergy or intolerance.
Test options available at Wellcare
At Wellcare Laboratories, two different panels are offered through our partner reference laboratories:
| Panel | Testing laboratory | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 216-parameter food IgG panel | Düzen Laboratories Group - Ankara | IgG assessment for 216 foods |
| Nutritol – 287-parameter food IgG panel | Eurofins Biomnis - France | IgG assessment for 287 foods and additives |
The number of parameters refers to the number of items assessed in the panel. A higher number of parameters does not mean that the test is more accurate or more useful in diagnosing intolerance. These panels do not replace food-specific IgE allergy tests, investigations for coeliac disease or assessments for lactose intolerance.
Who should be tested?
There is no patient group for whom routine food IgG panel testing is recommended. In particular, proceeding directly to a broad IgG panel solely because of bloating, fatigue or difficulty losing weight is not an appropriate first step.
For people with recurring symptoms after eating certain foods, a medical assessment is recommended first. A food and symptom diary may help clarify the relationship between symptoms and diet. Where necessary, investigations for lactose intolerance, coeliac disease, food allergy or other digestive system disorders are planned.
What is the difference between food intolerance and food allergy?
| Feature | Food intolerance | Food allergy |
|---|---|---|
| Underlying mechanism | Non-allergic mechanisms, such as problems with digestion or absorption | The immune system's reaction to a food |
| Symptoms | Often bloating, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhoea | Hives, itching, swelling, vomiting or respiratory symptoms; delayed digestive symptoms in some types |
| Amount of food | Symptoms are usually related to the amount consumed | Even very small amounts may cause a reaction |
| Severe reaction | Does not cause anaphylaxis | Some allergies may lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis |
| Assessment | Medical history and investigations directed at the suspected cause | Medical history and, where necessary, skin testing, food-specific IgE and an oral food challenge under specialist supervision |
Should I stop eating foods based on the test result?
You should not eliminate foods from your diet based solely on an IgG result. Unnecessary and extensive restrictions may lead to nutritional deficiencies. Dietary changes should be planned based on a clinical assessment, with support from a doctor and dietitian.
Information and enquiries in Nicosia and Kyrenia
You can obtain information about the scope of the tests and the sample collection process from our branches at Wellcare Health Clinic and Miracle Hospital in Nicosia, and our branch at Medicalport Tunççevik Hospital in Kyrenia.
Food intolerance test options
Food intolerance 216 panelDüzen Laboratory
- IgG assessment for 216 foods
- Testing is performed at Düzen Laboratory in Turkey
Food intolerance 287 panelBiomnis Laboratory
- IgG assessment for 287 foods and additives
- Testing is performed at Biomnis Laboratory in France
About Food Intolerance Tests
Frequently Asked Questions
What is food intolerance?
Food intolerance refers to adverse reactions that develop after consuming certain foods or food components and arise from causes other than allergic mechanisms. It can cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Inadequate digestion of lactose is one example.
What is the difference between food intolerance and food allergy?
Food allergy is an immune system reaction to a food and can cause severe, life-threatening symptoms in some people. Food intolerance, on the other hand, usually presents with digestive symptoms and may be related to the amount consumed. Intolerance does not cause anaphylaxis, also known as allergic shock.
What does a food intolerance test measure?
Comprehensive blood panels offered as “food intolerance tests” may measure IgG antibodies to various foods. However, detecting IgG does not indicate that the food causes intolerance or allergy in that person. These antibodies can also be found in healthy people who consume these foods without any problems.
Which food intolerance panels are available at Wellcare?
At Wellcare Laboratories, two options are available through our reference laboratory partnerships:
1) Düzen Laboratuvarlar Grubu: a 216-parameter food IgG panel.
2) Eurofins Biomnis: a 287-parameter Nutritol food IgG panel.
The results of these panels should be interpreted with their clinical limitations in mind; their use to diagnose intolerance or allergy is not recommended.
What is the difference between the 216- and 287-parameter panels?
The main difference is the range of foods and components assessed. The panel contents may not be identical. A larger number of parameters does not mean that the test is more accurate in diagnosing intolerance. You can contact our laboratory for up-to-date lists of panel contents.
Who should have a food intolerance test?
Food-specific IgG panels are not routinely recommended for investigating intolerance or allergy. People who experience recurrent bloating, gas, abdominal pain or diarrhoea after meals should first be assessed by a doctor. Investigations are planned according to symptoms to identify possible causes such as lactose intolerance, coeliac disease or food allergy.
Can a food intolerance panel detect food allergy or coeliac disease?
No. Food IgG panels do not replace food-specific IgE or skin tests used to assess allergies. Investigating coeliac disease also requires different, disease-specific tests. The appropriate investigation is determined based on symptoms and a doctor's assessment.
Should I eliminate foods with high test results from my diet?
You should not eliminate foods from your diet based solely on an IgG result. A high result does not prove that the food is causing your symptoms. Unnecessary dietary restrictions can lead to nutritional deficiencies, particularly in children and pregnant women. Dietary changes should be planned with the support of a doctor and a dietitian.
Does a food intolerance test help with weight loss?
Food IgG panels are not weight-loss tests. Eliminating foods based on the results has not been shown to achieve lasting, healthy weight loss. Weight management should involve a combined assessment of eating habits, physical activity, sleep and any coexisting health conditions.
Where can I get information about these tests in Northern Cyprus?
You can obtain information about panel contents, fees, sample collection requirements and turnaround times from our Wellcare Health Clinic and Miracle Hospital branches in Nicosia, and our Medicalport Tunççevik Hospital branch in Kyrenia. Before testing, you are advised to consult your doctor for an assessment appropriate to your symptoms.