ARUP

Short answer: there is no single reliable consumer “food sensitivity” test sold direct-to-consumer. The only evidence‑based testing depends on what problem you actually have — immediate (IgE) food allergy, celiac disease, or an intolerance — and should be done by a clinician using validated assays and/or supervised food challenge. What to use, by problem (with brand/lab names): Suspected immediate (IgE) food allergy (hives, swelling, anaphylaxis, wheeze, vomiting soon after eating) Best approach: evaluation by a board‑certified allergist who will do skin prick testing and/or serum specific IgE testing and, if needed, a supervised oral food challenge (the gold standard). Serum test: ImmunoCAP (Thermo Fisher/Phadia) is the widely used, validated sIgE assay used by major labs (Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, ARUP). These are clinically meaningful when interpreted by an allergist. Suspected celiac disease (diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, etc., or family history) Best tests: tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG‑IgA) plus total IgA; if IgA deficient, deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) IgG. Reputable labs: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, ARUP — ask for standard tTG/DGP assays. Don’t start a gluten‑free diet before testing. Suspected carbohydrate intolerance (lactose, fructose, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) Best test: hydrogen (and methane) breath test, performed by a GI clinic using clinical equipment (QuinTron is a commonly used clinical system). Some reliable GI labs/centers do these in‑clinic. Non‑celiac gluten sensitivity, histamine intolerance, or vague “food sensitivity” There is no validated laboratory test. Diagnosis is by careful elimination diet and symptom re‑challenge under medical/dietitian supervision. What to avoid (scams or low‑value tests) IgG or IgG4 food panels sold direct‑to‑consumer (Everlywell, YorkTest, Pinnertest, many others) or proprietary tests such as ALCAT, Mediator Release Test (MRT)/LEAP are not supported by allergy and gastroenterology societies for diagnosing food intolerance or sensitivity. IgG often simply reflects exposure and does not predict harmful reactions — acting on these results can lead to unnecessary and nutritionally harmful diets. Practical recommendation If you have concerning symptoms (hives, breathing problems, GI distress, weight loss, anemia), see an allergist or gastroenterologist. Ask for ImmunoCAP/skin testing for allergy, tTG/DGP for celiac, or a clinician‑supervised hydrogen breath test for suspected lactose/SIBO issues. If you want, tell me your symptoms and I can recommend the most appropriate test and how to find a local specialist or lab.

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