Verbatim response from Claude
Legitimate Food Sensitivity Testing Options
This is a great question because many food sensitivity tests are indeed unreliable or misleading.
Most Reliable Options
For true food allergies (IgE-mediated):
- See an allergist for skin prick testing or specific IgE blood tests - This is the gold standard. Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp run these through doctors.
For food intolerances with scientific backing:
- Lactose intolerance breath test - Available through gastroenterologists, highly accurate
- Celiac disease testing - Blood test (tTG-IgA) plus possible biopsy through your doctor
Why Most At-Home Tests Are Problematic
Tests like Everlywell's food sensitivity test measure IgG antibodies, which most immunologists say simply indicates food exposure, not intolerance. Major allergy organizations including the AAAI explicitly recommend against IgG testing.
Best Practical Approach
- Talk to a gastroenterologist or allergist - most accurate path
- Elimination diet guided by a registered dietitian - actually considered the most reliable method for identifying food sensitivities
- Look into working with a registered dietitian who specializes in food intolerances
Bottom Line
Skip the mail-in IgG tests. A doctor referral + elimination diet with an RD is the most evidence-based approach.