I've gotten better through eating "cleaner" food with less additives and junk, but still, there are days I'll eat something pretty plain and get an attack.
I've never done the test for Celiac - I'm sensitive to wheat (but do fine with Einkorn ancient grain flour) but I don't know about other food sensitivity issues.
So when I read about a test I can take at home to measure my immune response to 96 common food triggers for less than $200 and no charge for a doctor's visit, I was in.
From the well-regarded folks at EveryWell, it's not a true allergy test (those are done through a doctor's office) but does measure your food sensitivities to craft an elimination diet with the least effort
The box arrived from EverlyWell pretty quickly and there were clear instructions as well as an online tutorial on their website where I first went to register my product. Everything you need is included, bandaids, gauze, alcohol swab (I would have preferred Bourbon) instructions, a biohazard mailer, the paper that collects your blood drips and the lancelets.
It required blood collection. I was hoping for spitting in a cup or something but the scientist part of me know there would be a blood stick. Users have said it's pain-free.
Remember I'm a redhead - redheads and pain are a whole 'nother animal, but it was only a very quick "poke", not one I'd volunteer for on a daily basis (as evidenced by how I sent their box back with my results) but worth it, if it means a calmer gut. For you non-redheads you will probably say "Boy is that L.B. a WIMP!"
But secretly I think the video provided, which shows a young lady picking up the lance, not actually poking her finger, then delicately letting the drops of blood fall to the paper editing out the "Son of a (*#)@*" scene that occurred at my house. Just saying.
But I'm a wimp.
One word of advice - they recommend running your finger under warm water 30 seconds then hold your hand down at your side shaking it a few times. Don't do it longer than that (don't ask me how I know). Still, they said I might have to "milk" my finger (by rubbing in a circular motion) to get a drop of blood.
Nope - in typical LB fashion, my very warm finger bled like nobody's business when meant I had to be FAST to get the drops collected, but I got it done with minimal mess and after the initial surprise of a poke, my finger didn't hurt at all.
It's all boxed up (they supply everything) and I will mail back to the lab first thing in the morning. I'm supposed to have the results by email in less than a week. I'll keep you posted. So far I'd recommend this as a product for being easy to use and understand! They literally walk you through it with online and paper tutorial.
From their website;
Our Food Sensitivity test measures your body's IgG immune response to 96 foods that are commonly found in western diets.
An improvement in food sensitivity symptoms after eliminating the triggering food source is always the best test. Rather than randomly eliminating foods over many months and assessing your change in symptoms, you can have a directed elimination plan. An antibody IgG immune response can offer guidance on what foods may be the best to eliminate. Note that this test is not a food allergy test, which measures severe allergies that can be life-threatening conditions. Food allergy tests measure IgE antibodies and can't be currently taken at home. This test also cannot diagnose Celiac Disease. Food can trigger an immune response which may manifest itself in physical symptoms such as: Dry and itchy skin Other miscellaneous skin problems Food intolerance Feeling bloated after eating Fatigue Joint pain Migraines Headaches Gastrointestinal (GI) distress Stomach pain
How interesting! This would be very good information to know! So far I don't have any problems. It's a curse and blessing lol!
ReplyDeleteC
That is good information. No problems here yet either.
ReplyDeleteDiana