Allergy testing (Gluten & Dairy)

[Newmorningmercies]

Hello!Can anyone recommend how to go about being tested for gluten and dairy intolerance?

I live in Staffordshire...

Thank you 😊

[helvella Administrator]

Re gluten, I suggest you have a look at the Coeliac UK site:

coeliac.org.uk/information-...

[Newmorningmercies in reply to helvella]

Thank you 👍😊

[seveneleven]

Depends, as they are different. Allergy, yes - you can do IgE testing through a doctor or at home. Intolerance - nope. Currently no reliably accurate way of testing for intolerances other than eliminating one at a time and seeing how you feel/how antibodies respond if you have Hashimoto's and feel it may be a factor. Best steer clear of widely advertised IgG home intolerance tests - they have no basis in evidence and don't actually test what they imply unfortunately. Good luck!

[Newmorningmercies in reply to seveneleven]

Yes that's what I've always heard! Thank you for confirming. Can I ask what IgG means/stands for?Thank you 😊

[seveneleven in reply to Newmorningmercies]

So it stands for immunoglobulin G, certain antibodies that your body raises in response to all foods. It's thought to just be a marker of exposure to a particular food and doesn't actually indicate an intolerance. So wheat could come up, but you might just have eaten some wheat or had a food that came into contact with wheat at some point (e.g. packaged in the same factory). Whereas immunoglobulin E indicates an adverse response/allergy.

[Newmorningmercies in reply to seveneleven]

Thank you!

[helvella Administrator]

Also important to recognise that lactose intolerance is distinct from dairy intolerance/allergy.

Lactose intolerance occurs when you cannot produce the enzyme lactase which digests lactose.

Dairy intolerance/allergy is due to the proteins in milk.

You can have lactose intolerance, dairy intolerance/allergy, both - or neither!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

The absolute best test is to remove them one by one from your diet and see if your symptoms improve. There are several different reasons for gluten intolerance and some versions aren't easily tested for. Same with lactose/dairy.

[StanleyThyroid in reply to Jaydee1507]

That's absolutely correct! The other important thing is to be absolutely strict while you are doing it and check all the labels on what you eat. You cant say 1 bit of cake won't matter etc

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

Or the way Izabella Wentz suggests in her book, give up both for 6 weeks, introduce one for three days, note how you feel, introduce the other and again note anything. Not so easy as what Jaydee1507 suggests but an option. 🌱

[KBird01]

Just to reiterate the replies on here, please don't waste your money on intolerance tests. I naively took one earlier this year on recommendation from a well-meaning friend and it was worse than useless. At best it's quackery, but actually as in my case it was downright misleading to the point of harmful. Other than a proper coeliac test, I believe the best way to find out about intolerances is to go on an exclusion diet.

[CoeliacMum1]

If you’re symptomatic or have family members who have conditions that require elimination of dairy /gluten then NHS should do these tests, you shouldn’t have to pay in these cases.

As already mentioned regarding gluten read on Coeliac U.K. website there’s specific instructions before testing for gluten and what tests to have, as some aren’t as good depending on the individual…,it’s explained better on their website.

IgA deficiency can give false negative and if not eating enough gluten I wouldn’t exclude anything until tested as it’s required… you will have to go down the genetic route otherwise to see if you’re susceptible but will not say if it’s triggered and you have for example coeliac disease… also coeliac disease isn’t all digestive upset… constipation and nerve and skin problems are signs.

[Digger0]

Do not go to one of the health food type shops that offer " Free Testing" for everything. I had a patient who went for one and was told she could only eat potatoes!

[MaggieSylvie]

Alternative Clinics test for all sensitivities - not just gluten and dairy. I would Google it for your major town. Alternatively, remove one at a time from your diet and see if you feel better. Don't do them both at the same time or you won't know which one to ditch.

[Goldenbeads]

Hi there is a breath test I think for lactose intolerance. I cut it out and it made me feel better. If you want a coeliac test they do a blood test but you must be eating gluten still and as for an endoscopy too.