Food Intolerance Profile

Food is important for our health, but sometimes certain foods may not suit everyone.

When the body reacts badly after eating a food, it is called an adverse food reaction. These reactions can happen for different reasons, such as food allergy, food intolerance, or even a dislike of food based on past experiences.

Food intolerance is the most common type that affects up to 20% of the population. It happens when the body finds it hard to digest certain foods, like milk (lactose) or some grains. Unlike food allergies, food intolerance does not involve the immune system. The symptoms are usually mild but uncomfortable and may not even appear immediately. This can make it difficult to know which food is causing the problem.

This is where a Food Intolerance Profile test becomes useful. Doctors may suggest this test to see how your body reacts to different foods. It helps find out which foods may be causing discomfort, so you can choose the right foods and feel better.

You may consider taking the Food Intolerance Profile test if you:

• Often feel bloating, gas, stomach pain, or diarrhoea after eating.
• Have frequent headaches, tiredness, or low energy without a clear reason.
• Have digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Have recurrent symptoms, and you are not sure which food is causing them.
• Want to identify trigger foods and improve your diet.

This test can help both adults and children who experience ongoing, unexplained discomfort after eating. The frequency of testing is shown in the table below: 

Note: This food allergy panel test is not required as part of regular health check-ups unless your doctor specifically advises it or you observe reactions after eating specific food items.

A food intolerance test helps identify foods that your body may not tolerate well. It does not diagnose diseases directly but can point to food-related triggers linked to certain conditions, such as:

• Digestive issues: Bloating, gas, stomach pain, diarrhoea, constipation. 
• Lactose intolerance: Difficulty digesting milk and dairy products. 
• Gluten sensitivity (non-celiac): Discomfort after eating wheat or gluten-containing foods. 
• IBS: Food-triggered gut symptoms. 
• Food additive sensitivity: Reactions to preservatives, colours, or flavour enhancers. 

It may also be helpful in understanding triggers for:

• Headaches or migraines: Linked to certain foods. 
• Fatigue or low energy: Due to food-related discomfort. 

Note: This test is mainly used to identify food intolerances, not food allergies. If a food allergy is suspected, separate allergy testing is needed.

What to Expect Before the Food Intolerance Profile Test

No fasting is required for a standalone Food Intolerance Profile test. You can eat and drink normally. However, if it is part of a broader package that includes fasting tests, your doctor may advise an 8 to 12 hour fast.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection

A phlebotomist cleans the skin with an antiseptic, then places an elastic band around your upper arm to make the veins easier to access. A small needle is inserted into the vein - you may feel a brief pinch. Blood is collected into a labelled tube in under a minute.

What to Expect After the Food Intolerance Profile Test

A small cotton swab and bandage are placed over the site to stop any minor bleeding. You can return to normal activities immediately. Minor bruising is normal and disappears quickly. If dizzy, sit and rest for a few minutes.

This package includes testing across multiple food groups to help identify possible food intolerances. It has a total of 212 parameters: 

Vegetables (38 items)

Amaranth, Artichoke, Asparagus, Broad Bean, Green Bean, White Haricot Bean, Red Kidney Bean, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprout, Cabbage, Red Cabbage, Caper, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Chickpea, Chicory, Cucumber, Fennel (leaf), Gourd (squash), Leek, Lentil, Lettuce, Marrow, Onion, Pea, Potato, Radish, Rocket, Shallot, Soybean, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Turnip, Watercress, Yuca 

Dairy (9 items)

Egg White, Casein, Sheep Milk, Goat Milk, Egg Yolk, Buffalo Milk, Alpha-Lactalbumin, Cow’s Milk, Beta-Lactoglobulin 

Fish & Seafood (36 items)

Alga Espaguette, Spirulina, Anchovy, Barnacle, Bass, Carp, Caviar, Razor Clam, Cockle, Cod, Crab, Cuttlefish, Dorado, Sea Bream, Eel, Haddock, Hake, Herring, Lobster, Mackerel, Monkfish, Mussel, Octopus, Oyster, Perch, Pike, Plaice, Salmon, Sardine, Scallop, Sole, Squid, Swordfish, Trout, Tuna, Turbot, Winkle, Wakame 

Fruits (38 items)

Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Banana, Blackberry, Blackcurrant, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Date, Fig, Grape, Grapefruit, Guava, Kiwi, Lemon, Lime, Lychee, Mango, Melon (Honeydew), Mulberry, Nectarine, Olive, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Plum, Pomegranate, Raisin, Raspberry, Redcurrant, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Tangerine, Tomato, Watermelon 

Meat (16 items)

Beef, Goat, Chicken, Duck, Horse, Lamb, Ostrich, Ox, Partridge, Pork, Quail, Rabbit, Turkey, Veal, Venison, Wild Boar 

Cereals & Grains (18 items)

Buckwheat, Couscous, Durum Wheat, Flax Seed, Millet, Oat, Polenta, Quinoa, Rice, Rye Flour, Spelt, Transglutaminase, Wheat Bran, Barley, Corn (Maize), Gliadin, Malt, Wheat 

Nuts (11 items)

Almond, Cashew Nut, Brazil Nut, Coconut, Hazelnut, Macadamia Nut, Peanut, Pine Nut, Pistachio, Tiger Nut, Walnut 

Spices & Herbs (29 items)

Aniseed, Basil, Bay Leaf, Chamomile, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander Leaf, Cumin, Ginger, Aloe Vera, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Hops, Liquorice, Marjoram, Mint, Mustard Seed, Nettle, Nutmeg, Parsley, Peppermint, Red Chilli, Rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Tarragon, Thyme, Vanilla 

Miscellaneous (17 items)

Agar, Cane Sugar, Carob, Chestnut, Cocoa Bean, Coffee, Cola Nut, Melon (Honeydew), Mushroom, Rapeseed, Sesame Seed, Sunflower Seed, Tapioca, Black Tea, Green Tea, Baker’s Yeast, Brewer’s Yeast.

Unlike many blood tests, a Food Intolerance Profile may not have a single ‘normal range.’ Results are usually reported based on how strongly your body reacts to different foods. 

Important Note:

• Results may vary depending on laboratory methods and recent food intake. 
• This test does not confirm a diagnosis on its own. 
• Results should always be interpreted by a qualified doctor along with symptoms and medical history. 
• For the food intolerance test price, please contact your local diagnostic centre or check online healthcare platforms.

The results of a Food Intolerance Profile help understand how your body responds to different foods.

Note: Results should always be interpreted along with your symptoms and medical history.

Testing is generally safe. However, possible risks and limitations include: 

Potential Risks and Complications:

• A slight pinch or sting when the needle is inserted. 
• A small bruise may appear at the injection site. 

Note: These effects are usually mild and go away quickly. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a doctor.

Food Intolerance Profile Test Limitations:

• This at-home food intolerance test alone cannot confirm food intolerance. Results must be matched with symptoms. 
• Some foods may show a reaction even if they do not cause real symptoms. 
• It cannot identify serious allergic reactions (IgE-mediated), which require separate testing. 
• Results can differ based on lab methods, recent food intake, and individual factors. 

Depending on your symptoms and results of the food intolerance blood test, your doctor may recommend additional tests to better understand your condition: 

• Food allergy test (IgE test)
• Complete blood count (CBC) 
• Lactose intolerance test 
• Celiac disease test