Food intolerance in children and adults appears to be increasing. This is not the same as Food Allergy, which produces a very marked and typical pattern of symptoms. Food intolerances can be caused by enzyme deficiency or chemical sensitivities, but many are caused by an immune response to particular proteins. Food intolerance can produce very vague and wide ranging symptoms - abdominal pain, headaches, skin rashes, constipation, diarrhoea, poor sleep, migraine, water retention, bloating and depression are commonly reported. Food intolerance is not life threatening but it can be unpleasant. The symptoms can be delayed for hours or even several days after the problem food has been eaten, which often makes the food hard to identify.
At Private GP Services we offer finger prick blood testing to look for food intolerance caused by immune response to proteins. It is possible to test for up to 200 different food intolerances in one finger prick test. The test is suitable for children and adults.
The usual lab fee for the initial screening finger prick test is £19.50. This initial test is a screening test to determine whether or not antibodies to common food stuffs are present in the blood - this is called a Food Print Screen and will be reported as Positive or Negative. In the event of the Food Print being negative, there is no need to spend money on more detailed testing. Whatever is causing the symptoms, it is not food intolerance, but because you have had a proper consultation with one of our doctors, other diagnoses will be considered. If this Food Print screen is positive, then any number from 40 to 200 food intolerances can be tested on the initial sample. No further blood sample is needed. The costs of these tests vary depending on the number performed.
These tests are suitable for all age groups but a test will always be negative if a child has never tasted the food concerned. It is not possible to predict food intolerance in advance.
Having food intolerance does not mean that that food must be excluded from the diet forever! Foods for which there is a high antibody level in the blood need to be excluded for 3 months and then can be gradually re-introduced. Children with multiple food intolerances will need the help of a qualified Paediatric Nutritionist to ensure a well balanced and healthy diet.
If you think food intolerance may be causing your health problems or the health problems of your child, please call us on 01245 234134 to arrange an appointment for a consultation.
Judith Pluck
