Question 1

What is Food Intolerance?

Accepted Answer

Food intolerance is a non-allergic adverse reaction to certain foods that causes uncomfortable digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. It is caused by the immune system producing IgG antibodies in response to specific food proteins, triggering delayed inflammatory reactions in the digestive tract. The IgG4 Food Panel IV is the most important test for diagnosis because it measures immune responses to multiple foods simultaneously.

Question 2

What causes food intolerance?

Accepted Answer

Food intolerance is caused by your immune system producing IgG antibodies in response to specific food proteins, creating delayed inflammatory reactions in your digestive system. Unlike food allergies that trigger immediate IgE responses, food intolerances involve a slower immune reaction that can take hours or even days to appear. Common culprits include dairy products, gluten-containing grains, legumes, FODMAPs (fermentable carbohydrates found in foods like cauliflower and sweet potatoes), and certain vegetables like beets and beans.

Question 3

What is the best test for food intolerance?

Accepted Answer

The IgG4 Food Panel IV is the most important test for food intolerance because it measures IgG4 antibodies against multiple foods simultaneously, including common triggers like FODMAPs, vegetables, and legumes that cause digestive symptoms. This comprehensive panel identifies which specific foods your immune system is reacting to, helping you pinpoint the exact culprits behind your bloating, gas, and stomach pain. If you suspect a specific food, individual Food Specific IgG tests for items like beet root, buckwheat, lima beans, or green beans can provide targeted insights into whether that particular food is causing your symptoms.

Question 4

When should I get tested for food intolerance?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you experience persistent bloating, gas, abdominal pain, or diarrhea after eating, especially when these symptoms appear hours or days after meals rather than immediately. Testing is especially valuable if you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), chronic digestive discomfort that affects your daily life, or if elimination diets haven't given you clear answers. Getting tested before making drastic dietary changes can save you months of trial and error and help you create a personalized eating plan based on your body's actual immune responses.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of food intolerance?

Accepted Answer

Food intolerance symptoms include bloating, excessive gas, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and general digestive discomfort that typically appears several hours to days after eating the trigger food. Unlike food allergies, you won't experience immediate life-threatening reactions like difficulty breathing or throat swelling. Some people also notice fatigue, headaches, brain fog, or joint pain after consuming foods they're intolerant to, making the connection between food and symptoms harder to identify without proper testing.

Question 6

Who is at risk for food intolerance?

Accepted Answer

Anyone can develop food intolerance, but you're at higher risk if you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease, digestive disorders, or a family history of food sensitivities. People who have made significant dietary changes, experienced gut infections, or taken multiple courses of antibiotics are also more susceptible because these factors can alter gut bacteria and immune responses. Stress, age, and certain medications can also affect your digestive system's ability to process specific foods properly.

Question 7

What happens if food intolerance is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated food intolerance leads to chronic inflammation in your digestive system, causing ongoing discomfort that significantly impacts your quality of life and nutritional absorption. Continuing to eat foods your body can't tolerate properly may contribute to worsening IBS symptoms, nutrient deficiencies from poor absorption, chronic fatigue, and persistent digestive issues that interfere with work and social activities. While not life-threatening like food allergies, ignoring food intolerance means living with unnecessary pain and missing out on feeling your best every day.

Question 8

Can food intolerance be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, food intolerance can be effectively assessed with blood tests that measure IgG antibodies to specific foods. These tests identify which foods trigger delayed immune responses in your body, providing objective data to guide your dietary choices. While elimination diets combined with symptom tracking remain the gold standard for diagnosis, IgG blood testing offers a faster, more comprehensive approach that can test dozens of foods at once and give you a clear starting point for modifying your diet.

Question 9

How is food intolerance treated?

Accepted Answer

Food intolerance is treated primarily through elimination diets, where you remove trigger foods identified by testing or symptom tracking for several weeks, then gradually reintroduce them to confirm which ones cause problems. Working with a healthcare provider or nutritionist helps you create a balanced diet that avoids your trigger foods while ensuring you get all necessary nutrients. Some people find that digestive enzymes, probiotics, and gut-healing protocols can improve tolerance over time, allowing them to eventually reintroduce some previously problematic foods in small amounts.

Question 10

How can I prevent food intolerance?

Accepted Answer

While you can't always prevent food intolerance from developing, maintaining a healthy gut through diverse fiber-rich foods, probiotics, and fermented foods supports better digestive function and immune balance. Avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use, managing stress, eating a varied diet rather than consuming the same foods daily, and addressing digestive issues promptly can help protect your gut health. If you notice early signs of food sensitivity, identifying and temporarily avoiding trigger foods can prevent more severe intolerances from developing.

Question 11

What natural remedies help with food intolerance?

Accepted Answer

Natural remedies that support digestive health include probiotics to restore healthy gut bacteria, digestive enzymes taken with meals to help break down problematic foods, and bone broth or L-glutamine supplements to heal gut lining. Ginger and peppermint tea can soothe digestive discomfort, while anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, omega-3 fatty acids, and leafy greens may reduce gut inflammation. Keeping a detailed food diary, eating slowly, managing stress through meditation or yoga, and staying well-hydrated all support better digestion and can minimize symptoms while you work on identifying and eliminating trigger foods.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
                Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
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Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
            support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update.
            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
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            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Food Intolerance Blood Test

What is Food Intolerance?

What causes food intolerance?

What is the best test for food intolerance?

When should I get tested for food intolerance?

References

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