Verbatim response from Claude
Legitimate Food Sensitivity Testing Options
This is a great question because many food sensitivity tests are indeed questionable. Here's an honest breakdown:
Most Credible Options
Mediator Release Test (MRT) by Oxford Biomedical
- Measures immune reactions more comprehensively than standard IgG tests
- Used by registered dietitians
- More scientifically grounded than most consumer options
Cyrex Laboratories (Array 3, 4, or 10)
- Requires a doctor's order
- Well-regarded in functional medicine
- More rigorous methodology
Important Honest Caveats
- Standard IgG food sensitivity tests (like Everlywell) are not well-validated by mainstream medicine - elevated IgG can simply mean exposure, not intolerance
- Major organizations like the American Academy of Allergy question most at-home sensitivity panels
- True food allergies should be tested by an allergist using IgE testing
Better Alternatives
- Elimination diet supervised by a registered dietitian - this is genuinely the gold standard for identifying food intolerances
- GI Map stool testing if digestive issues are the concern
My Recommendation
Work with a registered dietitian who can guide an elimination/reintroduction protocol - it costs less and has stronger evidence than most panels.
Would you like more detail on any of these?