Comprehensive Food Sensitivity Testing: Benefits, Comparison, and How to Choose the Best Test

Written By: Jillian Foglesong Stabile MD, FAAFP, DABOM

A food sensitivity, frequently called food intolerance, is a condition where your body has difficulty processing food. This can often result in discomfort and distress. [1] Food sensitivity testing is one way to help you determine whether your symptoms are due to specific foods. Food sensitivity testing comes in various levels. So, why should you choose a comprehensive food sensitivity test? We’ll discuss sensitivity testing options and why you might choose one test over another in this article.

What Is a Comprehensive Food Sensitivity Test?

A food sensitivity test looks for a type of immune response to different types of food. The testing specifically looks at the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) for certain foods. IgG represents a delayed response of the immune system as opposed to an immediate response (which you might see with a true food allergy). [2] An elevated IgG level to a specific food may indicate that your body views a food as a threat and is responding to it.

Benefits of Comprehensive Food Sensitivity Testing

Figuring out what foods you may be reacting to can be challenging. A comprehensive approach to food sensitivity testing can help you determine which foods may be the source of your gastrointestinal distress.

Food sensitivity testing is best used in combination with an elimination diet to determine whether your symptoms are indeed due to food. An elimination diet helps you determine how your body is responding to different foods. With an elimination diet, you remove the foods of concern from your diet for a few weeks to months and then gradually reintroduce them into your diet and monitor your symptoms to determine whether they are caused by that food. [3]

A comprehensive food sensitivity test or in-depth food sensitivity test can be used to streamline your elimination diet. It can give you an idea of which foods to try eliminating from your diet. Having a comprehensive approach gives you a broader view of foods that may be causing your symptoms.

Comprehensive vs Basic Food Sensitivity Tests: Key Differences

Comprehensive food sensitivity testing measures the IgG levels of more foods than standard food sensitivity testing. For example, the standard Food Sensitivity Test offered by Everlywell evaluates IgG levels for 96 foods, while the Food Sensitivity Comprehensive Test from Everlywell evaluates IgG levels for 204 different foods. Both tests can be performed on a finger prick sample of blood. When comparing comprehensive vs. basic food sensitivity tests, you should consider what foods about which you are concerned. For many people, more information is better.

It’s important to note that food sensitivity testing is different from food allergy testing. Food allergy testing measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Food allergies are more serious than food sensitivities and have the potential to be life-threatening. [4]

Who Should Consider Comprehensive Food Sensitivity Testing?

There are many potential symptoms of food sensitivities. Many people who choose food sensitivity testing are looking to determine a cause for their symptoms. The symptoms associated with food sensitivity aren’t universal, so they can vary between patients, and different foods can cause different symptoms. Some of the symptoms associated with food sensitivity include [1,5,6]:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Joint pain
• Brain fog
• Upper respiratory symptoms

Symptoms are usually proportional to the amount of food consumed. Small amounts of food may not cause symptoms. The symptoms usually start within a few hours of eating. Food sensitivities may be related to the specific food or to chemicals or additives in food. Some types of food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, are related to a lack of specific enzymes to break down types of food. [5,7]

If you’re experiencing GI symptoms or other concerning symptoms, then a comprehensive food sensitivity test may help you determine whether your symptoms are related to the foods you’re eating.

How Results From Comprehensive Tests Are Interpreted

The results of food sensitivity testing are usually reported as IgG levels graded based on the amount of IgG binding for each food. [2] The results may vary from no reactivity to high reactivity. The degree of IgG levels represents the amount of immune response to individual foods.

Regardless of how high the reactivity is, IgG levels do not necessarily correspond with the degree of symptoms you are experiencing. This is the reason why food sensitivity testing is only the first step in determining whether these foods are causing your symptoms. The next step in this process is an elimination diet. You can use your comprehensive food sensitivity test results to guide your elimination diet by temporarily removing the identified foods and then reintroducing them after a period of time.

Long-Term Benefits of Comprehensive Food Sensitivity Testing

Food sensitivities can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Learning which foods could be potentially causing your symptoms is an important step to taking control of your health. Food sensitivities have been associated with many symptoms, including headaches and GI distress. [9] Comprehensive food sensitivity testing can help decrease the time to relief by helping narrow down the foods that may be responsible for your symptoms.

The American College of Gastroenterology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology do not currently recommend IgG-based food sensitivity testing due to concerns about lack of data and scientific rigor supporting food sensitivity testing. [10,11] For this reason, many people choose to seek this type of testing from independent labs.

When to Seek Medical Care

Food sensitivities can have many symptoms, but some red flag signs should prompt you to seek immediate medical care. Some of these symptoms include [2] :

• Unexplained weight loss
• Bloody stool or vomit
• Severe diarrhea
• Severe abdominal pain
• Rashes, swelling, or difficulty breathing

These symptoms may indicate a more serious medical condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, or even colon cancer. If these symptoms develop, you should see your healthcare provider or consider an emergency evaluation.

How to Choose the Best Food Sensitivity Test for Your Needs

Food sensitivity can cause many symptoms that interfere with your quality of life. If you’re looking to learn more about your specific sensitivities, consider visiting us at Everlywell. We offer a range of lab tests and virtual care services that can help you understand your digestive health concerns.

Accreditation and reliability of the testing lab. If you’re concerned or curious about your food sensitivities, Everlywell offers a Food Sensitivity Comprehensive Test that evaluates 204 foods. For additional guidance, you can schedule an online visit with one of our certified healthcare professionals.

References

1. Cleveland Clinic. Food intolerance. Last reviewed August 11, 2021. Accessed December 16, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
2. Lavine E. Blood testing for sensitivity, allergy or intolerance to food. CMAJ. 2012;184(6):666-668. doi:10.1503/cmaj.110026
3. Cleveland Clinic. Why and how to start an elimination diet. Published April 12, 2022. Accessed December 17, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
4. NSW Food Authority. Allergy and intolerance. Accessed December 17, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
5. NHS UK. Food intolerance. Last reviewed November 25, 2022. Accessed December 17, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
6. Geiselman JF. The clinical use of igg food sensitivity testing with migraine headache patients: a literature review. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2019;23(11):79. doi:10.1007/s11916-019-0819-4
7. Tuck CJ, Biesiekierski JR, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Pohl D. Food intolerances. Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1684. doi:10.3390/nu11071684
8. Lomer MC. Review article: the aetiology, diagnosis, mechanisms and clinical evidence for food intolerance. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015;41(3):262-275. doi:10.1111/apt.13041
9. Deardorff J. Doubts cast on food intolerance testing. Chicago Tribune. Updated November 3, 2021. Accessed December 17, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
10. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. The myth of IgG food panel testing. Published January 10, 2024. Accessed December 17, 2024. Medical Citation URL.