I have never had a blood test for food allergies. I am seeing my doc on Monday and would like to request this, does anyone know what it is and what it's called?
And does any lab to this test, or does it need to be spent somewhere if so where?
Posts: 374 | From NJ | Registered: Aug 2006
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Beverly
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 1271
Here is some information about food allergies. This is older post by Tincup, so I don't know if the pricing is the same on the test or not?
"Thanks to my chiropractor, I was recently tested for food allergies. I never even considered this ?might? be a problem because I have always had a ?rock gut? and could eat just about anything with no problems. Luckily, with his help, I have discovered that I am actually allergic to many of the foods I am eating on a regular basis. FIFTY EIGHT different foods! YIKES!
I am so thrilled at the difference in how I feel now, that I am writing this paper, in my own words, FOR YOU, to let you know that this may be something you want to consider. I ?went along? with the Chiropractor when he decided to do the test because I already had other blood work to do that day.. and I thought it was ?cute? that he was concerned. I said, what the hey... I may have an allergy or two and it wouldn?t hurt to find out. I will go along with the guy cause he has been so helpful in many other ways. NEVER did I expect to get back the results that I received.
I have tried to explain this in terms I understand and it is my first attempt to try and do this.. so excuse the roughness. I would ?polish? it up.. but I want you all to have this information as soon as possible. If you have any questions... please let me know. Here is what happens with those with Lyme and other folks:
You take antibiotics. As you know, that kills the ?good bacteria? in the gut, as well as some of the bad germs. Over time, the lining of the gut gets so much abuse that it starts to wear thin because it does not have the normal flora there to protect it and aid in the daily digestion of foods.
In addition, the yeast takes over and affects your system from your area of first contact with the food (mouth), through the entire system, and eventually down through the elimination process. When this happens, food particles can?t be broken down as well and the weakened gut lining can?t prevent food particles from permeating the walls of the intestines and entering the blood stream.
With the ?leaky gut? that develops, the body is introduced to these ?foreign invaders? (the foods you eat) which it MUST attack. Your body then starts fighting the foods that you normally eat and your immune system is kicked into gear each time you have a meal.
With Lyme and other illnesses, especially chronic ones, we often can?t eat or chew properly due to jaw pain, swallowing problems, upset stomach, acid reflux, and indigestion. We are already at a disadvantage in that respect. We need to add supplements to our every day routine because the nutrients from our diets don?t get absorbed properly and we become deficient in the necessary vitamins and minerals.
We also have a more limited diet now because we are often too tired to fix properly balanced meals and do much cooking. We also must take food at odd times of the day due to our medication schedules. As a matter of fact,
many of us have come to look at food as something we ?must do? in order to coat the stomach before dumping in our drugs. Our diets are further compromised and remain constantly ?abnormal? due to sugar problems, yeast problems, weight problems, money problems, etc. It becomes easier to get the same foods.. the ?easy stuff?.. at the store when we shop.
Trying new foods and cooking methods are not high on our priority list when we are ill. Food allergies can develop and often go undetected because the reaction could take hours, or even days, to surface. Some allergies cause immediate problems and leave the ?victim? wondering if the food they just consumed is bad. We normally try to avoid those foods if the problem happens on a regular basis, but, we don?t know what the other foods may be, that are causing problems, because we don?t have an immediate response.
I HIGHLY recommend all people with chronic illness (especially those on antibiotics) have this test. I was shocked to learn of the 58 food allergies I have. I am allergic to the foods I have come to like the most and actually crave. They are NOT the typical food allergies like milk, peanuts, etc.
They are things I continued to eat because they are ?good for me?! It is still hard to believe that lettuce, carrots, honey, garlic, blueberries, apples, wild rice, spinach, wheat bran, oranges, etc are now NOT good for me. Never in a million years would I have even suspected those foods were causing me problems. But... Now I know. Now I can deal with it. Now I feel better.
Since I have eliminated the offending foods, I have seen a dramatic improvement in a very short time in many symptoms. Less nasal sinus congestion, much more energy, less fogginess, less ?flu-like? symptoms, less muscle pain, better digestion, less depression, less stomach problems, etc. It still amazes me how much better I feel with some simple dietary changes. And a bonus.. Once the tests are done... the cure is free!!!
You say... I can?t think of giving up the foods I love? Not to worry. The Lab has developed a plan that will eliminate the offending foods for a time and they can be slowly reintroduced later. Many people who follow this plan can return the foods to their regular diet and do just fine. The lab sends a color coded, VERY easy to read print out of the individual tests and results. They also include information on how to deal with the allergies and read the reports.
I only wish I would have had this test MUCH sooner. I could have avoided many sick days and would have been much happier for it. I contacted the nice folks at the Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab where my tests were done. The tests ARE covered by some insurance companies. Medicare pays approximately half of the charges. They suggest you contact your own insurance company for information and approval.
If you do not have insurance and/or want to pay ?up front?, the prices are posted below for you. The Food Antibody Test and Vegetarian Add-on Test included 88 different foods. In my opinion, if you are going to do the Food Antibody test.. go ahead and do the vegetarian add on.
If you are going to do this.. do it right. Food Antibody Assessment Test- $144.00 The Vegetarian Add-On- $31.50 They also have a test for ?spices? that includes things like cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, etc. I didn?t do this test but am considering doing it now. $72.00
There is another test for 36 inhalants, such as pollen, molds, flowers, weeds, etc. That test is $126.00 up front. I did not get that one done cause I didn't know about it at the time. They will send you or your doctor a ?kit? and information. If you want to get the kit yourself you must get a doctor to fax them a prescription first or you can send a copy of the prescription to them.
I do hope you all will consider this test. It has really helped me feel better... or I wouldn?t recommend it. You KNOW I wouldn?t! "
hugsss .... Posts: 6641 | From Michigan | Registered: Jun 2001
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
mine were sent to MERIDIAN LAB last year and cost was $95; $1 for EACH food tested!
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
I had the ALCAT bloodtest. I too was allergic to good foods like lettuce (I didn't know anyone could be allergic to lettuce), egg whites, halibut, lobster and red pepper. There went my tabasco sauce!
Eliminating the foods caused a pretty severe skin allergy rash that was kin to a very bad case of poison ivy and popped out at various places on me for a week. After that I leveled out.
Luvs
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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