Food Allergy Verses Food Intolerance

Food allergies are an immune system response generally characterized by hives, shortness of breath, upset stomach and in some cases anaphylaxis (a sudden severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction).  Statistics show that only about 4% of the U.S. population has a food allergy.

Food intolerance is much more common.  In fact, 70-80% of the U.S. population may have food intolerance.  Symptoms include digestive disorders, migraines, obesity, chronic fatigue, aching joints, skin disorders, and behavioral issues.

Our office now offers the ALCAT Food Intolerance Test.  After a 15 minute appointment with Dr. Laura Kemps, the proper level of testing will be determined.  Patients pick up a kit from our office, take it to their family physician for a blood draw, and then send the blood to ALCAT Lab for analysis.  ALCAT also offers a mobile draw services for $50.  The actual food intolerance testing ranges from $150 to $600 depending on the number of items tested.  Items that can be tested for include foods, functional foods and medicinal herbs, food additives and colorings, environmental chemicals, molds, and antibiotic/anti-inflammatory agents. The test cost is typically not covered by insurance, and patients will need to send payment information along with their blood test kit. If necessary, a retest of reactive foods can be done nine months or more after the initial test at a cost of $99.

Test results are available within 1-2 weeks once the blood is received by the ALCAT lab. Once your test results have been received, you can schedule an additional appointment with Dr. Kemps to determine how to proceed.  Recommendations may be limited to eliminating the offending food(s), or may include more comprehensive nutritional supplementation. 

To read about Ashley Zachor’s success with the food intolerance testing, see our blog post – Ashley Zachor’s Story