Updated: August 2009
This allergy testing, the results and how to apply it to your child’s unique situation can be confusing. Here are some thoughts with you on testing, trouble shooting and tips that have helped my family.
How Accurate Are Allergy Tests?
Allergy tests can be totally hit or miss. Some allergy panels are more accurate than others. For some families, allergy panels have been extremely helpful in figuring things out, especially when starting to go GFCF. But for other families, some of the test results have been inaccurate or just plain confusing. Having several tests to compare against each other may be helpful in this case.
Best Allergy Testing Labs
Ask your doctor for their opinion about which lab you should order allergy tests from. A blood test for allergies is recommended to obtain the IgE and IgG allergy findings (both traditional allergies AND intolerances). Some labs only test for allergies, but not intolerances or vice versa. Recommended labs are Sage Laboratories, Genova Diagnostics (previously known as Great Smokies Labs; website still the same), and Great Plains Laboratory.
An important note: Skin prick testing for allergies has a larger failure rate versus blood testing.
Also–using EMLA cream (topical anesthetic cream) and obtaining a single blood test can be less traumatic then hundreds of pricks done for skin testing.
Doctors Preferences
Often, doctors have their preferences of one lab or another so ask the doctor as well. And yes, since it is a blood test–it requires an order from the doctor.
Test Results & How Often You Re-Test
Allergy results can be all over the place–in other words, inaccurate. But they can also be EXTREMELY HELPFUL. Allergies/food intolerances can also come and go. This seems to be a hallmark issue for children suffering regressive autism and gut issues.
Food Suspects
Be prepared to eliminate any food for a certain period of time. The most common allergies are: gluten/wheat, casein/dairy, soy, eggs, corn, and nut families. Generally, these SIX FOODS account for 90% of the allergies out there. You can even do a trial period without these foods to see if there is a negative or positive effect by removing them.
Reading the Test Results
When you get allergy test results back, each of the labs have different “counting” mechanisms to tell you what foods have had a negative response and which foods are okay. The counting mechanisms will tell you which foods to avoid PERMANENTLY (or until your next test) and/or which foods to avoid FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME. Usually, they recommend you remove an allergy response food for at minimum, 6 weeks. You can reintegrate foods that are not to be permanently avoided (i.e., highly allergic or highly intolerable foods) one at a time using a small amount of food each week. For example, the small amount could be one tablespoon of corn kernels to test your child’s tolerance of corn. But make sure the food to be tested does NOT contain other ingredients that show a negative allergy response on the test results. This will confuse you for sure! It is best to use the MAIN INGREDIENT you are testing by adding that back in alone if you can or mixed with foods you KNOW are 100% okay.
The Serious Nature of Allergies
Be very careful of allergies–some can be deadly–like the classic peanut allergy that requires immediate medical attention. In addition, allergies can often delay good results from a GFCFSF diet. It is extremely common for families to remove foods and go on a strict GFCFSF diet only to introduce a new food that the child is allergic to. It is very important to test for allergies. The results could save you time and frustration.
Food Cravings
It is interesting that most kids CRAVE the foods they are allergic to and also tend to self-limit themselves to eating only those foods.
Supplements & Allergies
It is important NOT to add supplements or make any other changes while you are adding foods back into the diet. It is extremely important to check supplement ingredient lists for allergens and diet offenders!
Documentation
Keeping a daily food and behaviors journal is recommended when you rotate foods out and back into your child’s diet.
Some Helpful Information to Tracking Down Allergy and Eating Issues
- Sample Daily Log
- What is It?
- Insurance Coverage for Biomedical & Traditional Treatments
- Since you may take away foods that your child loves, see Picky Kids, Eating & Autism
