FAQs
A Food intolerance and food allergy are not the same. Food intolerances are far more common, affecting a large proportion of the population, while food allergies are still relatively rare, affecting less than 5% of adults.
How can I distinguish between them?
Food allergy reactions are severe and immediate, often including symptoms like severe hives, swelling or shortness of breath, and in some cases even life-threatening anaphylaxis. Food intolerances however, show milder (though often unpleasant and recurring) symptoms like nausea, bloating, migraines, skin flare ups, or IBS, which can take up to 72 hours to appear.
Which test should I consider if I suspect an allergy or intolerance?
If you suspect an allergy, you should consider the Premium Allergy Test to ascertain if you have an IgE immune response to something. Otherwise, you would consider the Ultimate Intolerance Check to measure elevated antibodies to a particular food or substance.
If you suspect you have an allergy or intolerance, TESTme can help. Our comprehensive testing process can help identify potential allergens or intolerances.
A very good question, and an important one! Please click the links to find out…
Video 15 Ig Antibodies and Immunoglobulin Function
Video 16 Antibody Immunoglobulin Immune Function
Allergies can cause symptoms like severe hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and more.
Intolerances might lead to digestive discomfort, bloating, headaches, and other issues.
For a comprehensive list of symptoms click here
You may have noticed that allergies, IBS, chronic pain, anxiety, and autoimmune diseases are all on the rise. By adopting healthy habits into your lifestyle, you can reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions before they arise.
Exploring our site empowers you to choose tests tailored to your specific needs, helping you decide on foods and supplements that are best suited to you as an individual.
Research shows that most people today are living with increased inflammation levels, partly due to food intolerances whether they know it or not, so identifying and addressing food triggers is a crucial first step. If you’re already dealing with symptoms or a diagnosis, your body is already showing signs of distress.
The in clinic BER testing with Iona is from age 5 and up only.
Home blood test kits can be from any age.
This is a simple finger prick test that requires a small amount of blood for analysis. Please see the video here for further information. See blood draw video
We are working hard to provide an in-clinic service for those who don’t want or are unable to do the finger-prick blood draw at home. This may include those with young children. We will update the site as soon as we are in a position to offer this service.
Most of the larger Superdrug stores provide a phlebotomy service across the country. Alternatively, you can ask at your GP surgery; most are pretty accommodating, particularly if it involves children.
However, it must be said that the draw really isn’t difficult or painful, it just requires a little patience!
Our in-clinic service with Iona will give you immediate results and an information and elimination pack to take away with you. All allergy and intolerance blood tests are carried out at our laboratory and are typically available within 4 -7 days (often quicker). Other health, hormone and deficiency tests will usually be available after 2-3 working days from the time your sample is received at the lab.
When you order your allergy or intolerance test kit, you will be invited to create an account which will set up your own TESTme portal. You can immediately access this and download the TESTme Handbook. As soon as your results are available from the lab, we will send these to you via the email address you provided in your account. (Please be sure to check your junk folder in case one of our emails is directed there)!
All other health, hormone, and deficiency tests have a digital health dashboard, and your results will be posted there along with all the key information you need moving forward.
As soon as you create an account with your purchase, you will automatically be sent the digital TESTme handbook through your unique portal. This handbook has been created with intolerances in mind, and contains EVERYTHING you need to know to move forward. This is sent to you in advance of your test results which allows you time to review and consider the information, allowing you to jump straight in when your results arrive!
Yes! All our health, hormone and deficiency tests are posted on your own unique dashboard and provide all the information you need moving forward. Don’t worry, we don’t just provide your levels and leave you to it. We have our partner team of medical experts on standby to explain any out-of-range results, and provide information and advice specifically tailored to you.
We understand you have many choices when it comes to testing for food allergies and intolerances, so let’s set out a few fundamental differences for you to consider, so you can make an informed decision on what best suits your needs.. We have no distracting ‘gimmicks’ – just good old-fashioned common sense, coupled with the best science can offer, to direct you in the right direction for better health.
Comprehensive Testing: TESTme offers kits which simply outnumber the competition. We have worked hard to source a laboratory partner who could provide a finger prick test to cover the widest array of allergens on the market, making it both cost-effective and comprehensive. We provide the same ELISA testing as all our major competitors so there is no difference on that front. However, why settle for testing fifty allergens, or even a hundred when you can test for 300 in one go?” For every allergen untested, you risk missing the major trigger which is causing all your problems!
Unique follow-up support: Imagine having your very own digital reference library in your pocket. No rushing through a brief 30-minute consultation with a stranger, struggling to take it all in (or forgetting) all the important details. Our handbook is your constant companion, easily accessible whenever you need it, not only advising on dietary choices, but helping you confront all factors and elements for your symptoms. For more on the TESTme Handbook click here
And if that’s not enough, if you need further assistance, Iona is just an email away!
Firstly, it’s important to note, that it’s not all about elimination. Starting an action plan with TESTme is pretty straightforward. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can create a plan to help you stay organized, make informed choices, and increase your long-term success in achieving your goals.
The TESTme handbook is tailor-made for this purpose, providing comprehensive guidance in straightforward language. This digital resource serves as your pocket-sized reference library. It is a reliable and accessible companion to assist you in navigating this new, albeit exciting journey towards a much improved or symptom-free life, what could be more liberating!
A very good question and we’re glad you asked! Despite other website claims, it’s unusual for people to feel ‘significantly’ better in just a day or two! Let’s be honest – as remarkable as our bodies are, even they can take some time to adjust, and for us to feel notably better! Generally speaking, the younger you are, the quicker your body responds to changes, so often children will feel lots better within the week. However, the older we get and the longer these symptoms have been going on, it is likely going to take a little longer. However, that said – armed with the right information and ongoing support (not just a quick 30-minute phone consultation), you can turn things around pretty quickly. The important tools however lie in knowledge, education, and motivation to spur you on. Keeping you motivated and on track is vital to successfully achieve the goals the want. TESTme is committed to bringing it’s ‘in-person’ test experience directly to your phone or device with all the information you need to move forward with your health.
We use the same ELISA testing as other laboratories. The full title for this testing technique is enzyme-linked immunoassay. To understand what this means and how effective it is click here for a link to the Natural Medicine Journal.
Please email Iona at info@testmehealth.co.uk and she will be happy to help with any questions you may have.
At TESTme, we take your privacy seriously. Your personal and health information is securely stored and handled according to the highest data protection standards. To learn more, read our Privacy Policy
