You may be looking to determine if you have a food allergy or food sensitivity/intolerance to certain foods on your health journey. I can tell you firsthand that it is definitely worth the price and knowledge of finding out what has been causing you discomfort.
There are many options to choose from online these days. Services that send you an at-home prick test, you collect your sample on a card, then mail it back in for the lab to test. You’ll wait a few weeks, and your results will be emailed. You get your allergy and intolerance info at your fingertips.
It is that easy.
Why Do a Food Allergy or Intolerance Test?
If you’re like me, you may be having some reactions, whether congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, brain fog, wheezing, stomach pain, or other such reactions after eating. Or perhaps it may be outdoor allergies, or so you thought. I know I did. Or maybe you’ve done an elimination diet and still need help determining what’s ailing you.
It could be food-based allergies or intolerances that are the root cause.
How Else to Know for Sure if You Have an Intolerance or Allergy?
You can always do an elimination diet if you think you have a possible food allergy or intolerance.
I did this on several occasions, which led me to believe that I have a food intolerance. I’ve also done it with my two girls and realized they reacted to cow’s milk. Later, I find out I have a high intolerance, too, mother-like daughter.
I’ve used two at-home testing companies. I find they are both excellent with slight variations and give you the results in about the same time frame.
EverlyWell Food Sensitivity Test
You may have heard of this one before. They offer more than just food allergy testing. They offer your basic lipid panel testing, women’s hormone testing (I’ve also done this one), thyroid, heart health, etc.
This test checks how your body responds to 96 different foods.
Type of Testing?
IgG antibody reactivity only.
What Does That Mean?
This means they are testing only for food intolerances, not allergies.
The test covers the common food sensitivities such as milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, etc. Learn more about the difference between food allergy, food intolerance, and food sensitivity.
Test/Supplies
The test comes nicely packaged with simple instructions. The kit includes everything you need for the home prick test. You will prick your finger with the included lancet and place your sample on the enclosed card. You’ll register your sample on the website before returning. This allows for tracking of your sample and test results.
I recommend taking a picture of your test card and the information you return before shipping. This helped me when I had to track my sample as it was taking an unexpected delay.
Ensure you write down all the necessary info on the card, such as collection date and time or kit ID.
Once you’ve collected your sample, you’ll return the card in the included paid-for envelope/box.
Results
After the lab receives your sample, it will take a few weeks to process your results. Your results are emailed to you, and you can also access them on their website.
The results are easy to understand, and you can print or send them to your doctor’s office.
The results can be eye-opening if you have never had this type of testing before. I’ve had this test a few times over the last year to see if my sensitivities have changed.
I enjoy using this company as their testing is straightforward, easy to understand, and administered at home. Their results took about two weeks for me to receive and one of the test results took slightly longer as there was an issue with my kit not containing the necessary information.
This is a great place to start if you are looking for information on your health journey. Again EverlyWell offers several types of at-home testing.
Cost
The sensitivity kit was $159 at the time of this post. They also offer a more comprehensive food sensitivity test for $259, checking 108 more foods.
Test My Allergy
Test My Allergy Voted Best Overall Blood Allergy Test by Verywell Health.
After some research, I’m not convinced that I had figured out what all my sensitivities were. I need more testing or different types to see if something else is underlying.
I’m still having reactions after eating. I had been avoiding the sensitive foods listed on the EverlyWell results but was still reacting to something.
Test My Allergy
This at-home tests for food allergies and intolerances. It tests for 70 key items, including food and external allergens like ragweed, pet dander, etc.
Type of Testing?
IgE for allergies
IgG4 for intolerances. IgG4 is a subclass of IgG.
Test My Allergy – Combined Allergy & Intolerance test for allergy and intolerance.
EverlyWell food sensitivity checks for only food sensitivity or intolerances. Test My Allergy tests for food and external items.
Test My Allergy also offers a Food Intolerance test only. It uses the IgG4 food reaction test for 80 different food intolerances and is more comparable to the EverlyWell Food sensitivity test. However, I have not used this test.
Test/Supplies
Utilizes the same prick test as in the EverlyWell test kit. You receive everything you need to do the test at home. While the packaging is less aesthetically pleasing, it gets the job done.
You’ll prick your finger with the lancet and place your sample on the enclosed card. Fill in all your information, and once finished, you’ll mail the envelope back. However, it is not prepaid, which was disappointing. I had to go to the post office to mail it out because I never use stamps. So that part was inconvenient.
Their site clearly states you get your results within seven working days of receipt of your labs. I found this to be true. I mailed it Tuesday morning and had my results in my inbox the following Friday morning.
Results
The results are emailed to you, or you can access them through an app on your phone. The results are easy to read, and food recommendations are listed at the report’s end.
Cost
The combined allergy & intolerance test is $169 at the time of this post, and the food intolerance test is $139. As with all of these companies, these are out-of-pocket costs, and insurance will not cover them. If you need insurance to cover it, you’ll need to go through your doctor’s office and get the lab order.
Overall
I found that both of these at-home testing kits are easy to use. Both delivered results within two weeks directly to your inbox.
I like using EverlyWell as its overall presentation and ease of use are excellent. However, you may need to find another company when you start wanting more specific testing, such as the IgE. In doing so, you’ll find other companies may lack the esthetic presentation of EverlyWell but offer more in their testing. Of course, the testing is the bottom line, but you do notice the difference.
Both are great to use and offer you more information without going to the doctor’s office for an office visit, to get the doctor’s order to get labs, then go to the lab and have blood drawn, then wait for your doctor to call you back or the lab to send the results.
Not for the Squeamish
If you do not handle seeing blood well, then this type of self-administered testing may not be for you. It’s a prick test that feels like a quick sting, and then you press your blood sample onto a card. You will have to do this several times to complete the card.
It would be best if you were very comfortable seeing blood and collecting your sample. I suppose you could have someone help you, but that seems extreme in my opinion. Also, your finger may be sore for a day so use your non-dominant hand.
Be sure to follow the instructions of warming your hand to be pricked, run under warm water, and drink water to be hydrated. All of these things help with making collecting the sample easier.
Try Test My Allergy Here or EverlyWell Here.
At-home testing has brought the ability to manage your health more easily from the comfort of your own home: no doctor orders or lab visits. They are worth a try. These tests allow you to be more proactive in your health and wellness journey.
I wish you peace and guidance on your journey.
