🧪 Food Intolerance Panel

A blood test that helps identify potential food intolerances that may be contributing to chronic symptoms.

🔍 What is it?
 

A Food Intolerance Panel measures IgG antibodies in your blood that may be produced in response to certain foods. Unlike food allergies (which involve a rapid immune reaction and IgE antibodies), food intolerances are usually delayed and can cause subtle, long-term symptoms such as bloating, headaches, fatigue, or skin problems.

This test is not diagnostic but may help guide an elimination diet and identify food triggers that could be affecting your wellbeing.

🧪 What does it measure?

• IgG antibodies to common foods (often 40–200+ types depending on the panel)
• Foods typically tested include:
  • Dairy (e.g. milk, cheese, yoghurt)
  • Grains (e.g. wheat, rye, barley)
  • Eggs
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meats and fish
  • Yeast and soy

⚠️ Note: IgG results indicate exposure and possible intolerance, not allergy. Clinical relevance should be evaluated with symptom correlation and medical advice.

❓ Why might I need it?

You may benefit from this test if you experience:

• 🤢 Persistent bloating, gas, or abdominal discomfort
• 😴 Fatigue, brain fog, or sluggishness
• 🧠 Headaches or migraines
• 🩹 Skin problems like eczema or acne
• ❗ Suspected food triggers without clear allergy results
• 🤷‍♂️ Chronic symptoms with no obvious cause
• 🧪 Want to guide a personalised elimination diet

🧬 Conditions it may help explore:

• Non-allergic food sensitivities or intolerances
• IBS-like symptoms
• Skin issues or chronic fatigue related to diet

• Support for functional or integrative medicine evaluations

   

🩺 How is it done?

• A small blood sample is taken from a vein or finger prick
• Lab analyses IgG response to tested foods
• Results are typically available within 5–10 working days
• Often presented as a reaction scale or “traffic light” system (green/yellow/red)

💷 Typical Private Cost in the UK:

£100–£300 depending on the number of foods tested
Often offered by private clinics, nutritional therapists, or functional medicine providers

✅ Commonly Combined With:

• Coeliac Screen – to rule out autoimmune gluten intolerance
• Stool analysis – to evaluate gut health or dysbiosis
• Nutrient tests – like Iron, B12, Vitamin D (common with digestive issues)
• Allergy testing (IgE) – to distinguish from true allergies

📚 References:

• NHS – Food Allergy vs Intolerance
• British Dietetic Association – Food Intolerance Factsheet
• NICE – Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Adults
• Allergy UK – Food Intolerance Testing