Food Allergy Testing

10/9/15Rev.

On this page I will discuss testing, not elimination diets in which foods are temporarily not ingested.

Most individuals do not need food allergy testing. Through elimination, rotation and documentation they can find most of the culprits.

Food allergy testing can be complicated, and results can even be misleading.

In my experience, allergists usually test exclusively for levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE). Results usually show that patients do not have elevated levels, and are therefore pronounced not allergic.

Laboratories that I respect today, usually test for levels of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin A (IgA). Results from this testing appear to give more accurate and usable information.

Patients often think that food allergy testing will give them all the answers that they need and that their health problems will be over. Things are not that simple. Complete answers to health issues are rarely provided by even excellent food allergy testing.

Testing does have value for many patients.

If you have another doctor order food allergy testing for you, be sure to have a comprehensive conversation with her/him so that you will not waste your money and find yourself disappointed.

The medical laboratory that I am primarily using for food allergy testing currently is Cyrex Laboratories. Their Array 10 – Multiple Food Immune Reactivity Screen currently costs $580.00, which the patient pays directly to the lab. Our office makes no money from the test itself. I currently charge $50 to order the test and $95 for 30 minutes to go over the test for an existing patient.