Food allergy tests

[MICWOOL]

Hi guys sorry to leave out all the americans but I have a question only the UK members could answer.

My question is is it possibe to get a food allergy test on the NHS by going to your doctor. I would like just a bit more insight into which foods I may not agree on.

 

[beth]

I don't know, my food allergy tests were done privately (the only that have been).

You should be aware that they don't tell the whole story... I don't tolerate a number of foods but the only one that came up as in any way "allergic" was tomato.

 

[NatalieMT]

I believe you can get certain food allergy tests on the NHS, I think the main ones are testing for lactose intolerance and coeliac disease. I found this information giving a few more details - http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Allergies/Pages/Whichallergytest.aspx.

I have had blood tests for various allergies performed by my doctor but underwent a more indepth analysis privately. But like Beth says it's not always particularly conclusive, a lot of my results said I was 'intolerant' to a number of foods but not actually allergic. I can eat a lot of things I supposedly have a bad reaction to without any problems. It was a useful and worthwhile tool however to gather some dietary advise to try and prevent certain Crohn's symptoms and discuss whether there was anything I should seriously avoid. I certainly don't regret spending the money on the appointment.

 

[MICWOOL]

Thanks so much guys for your information, and thank you natalie for that web page, it was very insightful im gonna talk to my doc next time I see him.
I hope your dizzy spells are improving 2?

 

[merrywidow]

they cn do blood test for "surrounding" allegerys. like dust mite, tht kind of stuff. but food allergies have to done as a in patient. in case you have a reaction.

 

[beth]

Mine weren't. Just take some blood and two weeks later back come the results.