Do At Home Food Sensitivity Tests Really Work

  references
  
      AAAI: "Food Intolerance Defined"
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "Food Intolerance"
    
      National Library of Medicine: "Immunoglobulin Blood Test"
    
      AAAI: "Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Defined"
    
      Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Digestive Enzymes and Digestive Enzyme Supplements"
    
      NEDA: "Contact the Helpline"
    
      NEDA: "Orthorexia"
    
      American Medical Association's Journal of Ethics: "Ethical Considerations about EHR-Mediated Results Disclosure and Pathology Information Presented via Patient Portals"
    
      St. Luke's Health: "Do Special Diets Put You at Risk of Nutritional Deficiencies?"
    
      University of Michigan Health: "Hydrogen Breath Test"

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

At-home food sensitivity tests are different from the allergy tests offered by your doctor.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative

What Is a Food Sensitivity?
Benefits
Risks
Treatment
Do They Work?

If you experience adverse reactions to eating a particular food, such as digestive issues, rash, swelling or anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction that can include swelling of the throat), call your doctor immediately or visit the nearest emergency room.

There are some at-home IgE tests, but Dr. Vuu does not recommend them because the results are difficult to read on your own. “If you are not trained as an MD, you may get false positives,” he says.

If you believe you have disordered eating tendencies or orthorexia, a type of eating disorder characterized by obsessing over “clean” or nutritious eating, talk with your doctor or visit the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) helpline.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative

Always try an elimination diet under a doctor or registered dietitian’s guidance. They can give you suggestions on what to cut out and when to reintroduce items.

Not everyone needs to take digestive enzymes, per Johns Hopkins. Additionally, digestive enzymes are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Always talk to a registered dietitian or doctor prior to starting any new supplements.

      AAAI: "Food Intolerance Defined"
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "Food Intolerance"
    
      National Library of Medicine: "Immunoglobulin Blood Test"
    
      AAAI: "Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Defined"
    
      Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Digestive Enzymes and Digestive Enzyme Supplements"
    
      NEDA: "Contact the Helpline"
    
      NEDA: "Orthorexia"
    
      American Medical Association's Journal of Ethics: "Ethical Considerations about EHR-Mediated Results Disclosure and Pathology Information Presented via Patient Portals"
    
      St. Luke's Health: "Do Special Diets Put You at Risk of Nutritional Deficiencies?"
    
      University of Michigan Health: "Hydrogen Breath Test"