Comprehensive Food Allergy Profile
From DoctorMyhill
| Test Details for Ordering | |
|---|---|
| Test | Comprehensive Food Allergy Profile |
| Laboratory | Genova Diagnostics |
| Price | £262.00 |
| Sample required | blood |
| To order this test, please, go to Ordering Tests. Please, make sure you have read When not to use this website to ascertain whether having this test is an appropriate and safe course of action for you. | |
DESCRIPTION
This profile consists of three parts. Part one (called Food Allergy Cellular Test or FACTest) measures the release of chemical mediators from white blood cells once they have been challenged with around 170 different foods, including common seasonings, colourings, additives and beverages. It is capable of detecting a much wider range of food intolerances and sensitivities than is possible by conventional means.
The second element of the profile is the IgE Food Panel measuring IgE mediated food allergy to around 40 foods; and the third is a marker called tissue transglutaminase (tTGA), which is highly specific at identifying untreated Coeliac Disease.
If the results show that you are reacting to one of the allergens only, and it is possible to eliminate it from your diet, then this should resolve the problem. If, however, the result shows that you are reacting multiply to the foods tested, then I would recommend that you consider desensitisation; see enzyme potentiated desensitisation.
This test has its limitations but may provide useful clues. It may also throw up false positives - i.e it may tell you are allergic to a food when in fact you can tolerate that food OK. I rarely do this test.
SAMPLE
This test is performed on a blood sample. This profile is done at Genova Diagnostics in the US. Transport of the sample is handled by Individual Wellbeing Diagnostic Laboratories Ltd in Surrey.
KIT
The kit for this test includes three serum blood tubes, three transfer tubes (for transferring spun serum if a centrifuge is available), a needle and a vacutainer holder, packaging for transporting the blood samples, a request form and a pre-paid envelope for sending the samples to the laboratory. It also contains advice about where you can have the blood taken.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Make arrangements to have a blood sample taken
- Make sure that your name, date of birth and date sample taken are correctly entered on the blood tube
- Make sure all the necessary details are correct on the laboratory request form.
- Post the samples in the packaging provided making sure that the laboratory request form is enclosed with the samples.
- Please note that there is an additional interpretation fee for my letter to your GP. See Ordering Tests for more details.
