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Food Allergy and Sensitivity Testing

Advanced IgE and Food Sensitivity Testing in Huntington Beach, CA

Food allergies and sensitivities can be difficult to recognize, particularly when symptoms don't appear consistently or the connection to a specific food isn't obvious.

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At Redefine Health and Wellness, we provide food allergy and sensitivity testing to help investigate potential food-related immune responses. Testing may help evaluate foods you already suspect while also bringing attention to potential reactions you may not have previously considered.

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Using a personalized approach to care, we consider testing results alongside your symptoms, health history, and dietary patterns to help determine appropriate next steps.

What Is Food Allergy and Sensitivity Testing?

Food allergy and sensitivity testing evaluates different types of immune responses to foods.

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Food allergies are typically associated with IgE-mediated immune responses and may cause symptoms shortly after exposure. Food sensitivity testing evaluates other immune responses that may be considered when investigating less immediate or less obvious food-related patterns.

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Whether testing is appropriate is determined based on your symptoms, health history, dietary patterns, and other clinical considerations.

Food Allergies vs Food Sensitivities vs Food Intolerances

Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they describe different types of reactions to food.

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Food Allergies

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Food allergies are typically associated with an IgE-mediated immune response. Reactions may occur quickly after exposure and can include symptoms such as hives, swelling, itching, or potentially severe allergic reactions.

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Food Sensitivities

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Food sensitivities involve different immune responses than IgE-mediated food allergies. Symptoms attributed to food sensitivities may be less immediate or more difficult to associate with a particular food.

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Food Intolerances

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Food intolerances are generally not immune-mediated. Instead, they may involve difficulty digesting or processing a particular food. Lactose intolerance is one common example.

Symptoms and Patterns That May Lead to Testing

Food-related reactions can vary considerably from person to person. Some occur soon after eating a particular food, while other patterns may be less obvious.

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Testing may be considered when someone experiences recurring symptoms or notices a possible relationship between certain foods and how they feel.

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Digestive Concerns

  • Bloating or gas

  • Abdominal discomfort

  • Nausea

  • Changes in bowel habits

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Skin and Allergy-Related Concerns

  • Hives

  • Itching

  • Rashes or recurring skin irritation

  • Other suspected reactions after eating

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Other Recurring Concerns

  • Headaches

  • Fatigue or brain fog

  • Sinus symptoms

  • Difficulty identifying possible dietary triggers

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Because these symptoms can have many potential causes, testing results should be considered within the broader context of your symptoms and health history.

Common Foods Evaluated During Testing

Our food allergy and sensitivity panel evaluates immune responses to a predetermined selection of commonly consumed foods.

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Foods Evaluated Include:

 

The panel evaluates additional foods beyond those listed above.

A Functional Medicine Approach to Food Reactions

Food allergy and sensitivity testing is one source of information and should not be considered in isolation.

 

At Redefine Health and Wellness, results are considered alongside your symptoms, health history, dietary patterns, and other relevant factors. This broader functional medicine approach can help determine which findings may be relevant and what next steps may be appropriate.

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Depending on your individual needs, recommendations may include dietary considerations, lifestyle changes, symptom monitoring, or additional evaluation.

What to Expect

Step 1: Review Symptoms and Health History

 

We discuss your symptoms, dietary patterns, previous food reactions, and relevant health history.

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Step 2: Determine Appropriate Testing

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Based on your evaluation, we determine whether food allergy and sensitivity testing may be appropriate.

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Step 3: Review Your Results

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Once testing is completed, we review your results alongside your symptoms and health history. Results may provide useful information about potential food reactions, including findings you may not have previously considered.

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Our guide to understanding food allergy and sensitivity test results explains some of the questions that can come up when reviewing these findings.

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Step 4: Determine Next Steps

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Depending on your results and clinical history, next steps may include dietary considerations, symptom monitoring, additional evaluation, or other recommendations based on your individual needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can food allergy or sensitivity testing help explain fatigue or brain fog?

 

Fatigue and brain fog can have many potential causes. If symptoms appear to follow certain foods or occur alongside other suspected food reactions, testing may provide additional information to consider as part of a broader evaluation.

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What is the difference between IgE food allergies and food sensitivities?

 

IgE food allergies involve a specific type of immune response and may cause symptoms soon after exposure. Food sensitivity testing evaluates different immune responses that may be considered when investigating less immediate or less obvious food-related patterns.

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Does a positive allergy result tell me how severe a reaction could be?

 

No. An IgE test result does not predict exactly how severe a future allergic reaction may be. Results should be interpreted alongside previous reactions and clinical history.

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Can food allergy and sensitivity testing detect every reaction to food?

 

No single test can capture every possible reaction to food. Test results are one source of information and should be considered alongside symptoms, previous reactions, and health history.

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Is food sensitivity testing the same as intolerance testing?

 

No. Food sensitivities involve immune-related findings, while food intolerances generally involve other mechanisms, such as difficulty digesting a particular food.

Food Allergy and Sensitivity Testing in Huntington Beach

Food allergy and sensitivity testing can provide additional information when food-related reactions are suspected or difficult to identify.

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At Redefine Health and Wellness, we offer testing in Huntington Beach and review results within the context of each patient's symptoms, health history, and dietary patterns to help determine appropriate next steps.

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Schedule a complimentary consultation to learn whether food allergy and sensitivity testing may be appropriate for you.

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