Food allergy/intolerance test? NHS?

terra_ferma

trolleyrun wrote: »

My IBS is definitely triggered by food allergies/intolerance. Any time I (accidentally) eat gluten or wheat products, my IBS kicks off big time. It takes a few days to get back to "normal". I suspect I'm coeliac, but I can't bear the pain to do the test. I won't get tested until a new test is developed - if that ever happens. I know quite a few of my colleagues also have similar issues with various foods triggering their IBS. So as far as I'm concerned, they're allergic/intolerant to these foods. Then again, I'm not a doctor or healthcare professional.

I do find it interesting how many people I meet who have IBS but just take medication without trying to find out what triggers it in the first place. It's like anything that isn't well with the body. I want to find out what causes any discomfort. Doctors aren't always very good at diagnosing gastro problems, but it's important to go see your GP regardless. You know your body - listen to it

it's a common misconception, food allergies and food intolerances are totally different problems, and are tested/treated very differently
http://www.allergyuk.org/food-intolerance/allergy-or-intolerance

GwylimT

trolleyrun wrote: »

My IBS is definitely triggered by food allergies/intolerance. Any time I (accidentally) eat gluten or wheat products, my IBS kicks off big time. It takes a few days to get back to "normal". I suspect I'm coeliac, but I can't bear the pain to do the test. I won't get tested until a new test is developed - if that ever happens. I know quite a few of my colleagues also have similar issues with various foods triggering their IBS. So as far as I'm concerned, they're allergic/intolerant to these foods. Then again, I'm not a doctor or healthcare professional.

I do find it interesting how many people I meet who have IBS but just take medication without trying to find out what triggers it in the first place. It's like anything that isn't well with the body. I want to find out what causes any discomfort. Doctors aren't always very good at diagnosing gastro problems, but it's important to go see your GP regardless. You know your body - listen to it

It's just a blood test and a tiny tube down your nostril, none of which are painful.

emmafifema

Thanks everyone, I do have benenden cover which from what I can see would cover these tests IF I were referred by a GP.....I am speaking with my GP in the morning.

IBS runs in my family and I am aware that allergies and intolerances are different, my sister is wheat intolerant.

Hopefully GP will help

trolleyrun

GwylimT wrote: »

It's just a blood test and a tiny tube down your nostril, none of which are painful.

It's not that. It's the having to eat gluten in two meals a day for 6 weeks I can't handle (which is what my GP said was necessary for the test). I wish I'd insisted on the test before I did the elimination diet.

claire1a

Hi, As a sufferer from IBS myself I understand your pain on confusion on what you can get tested for.

Firstly I would ask your GP to refer you to a Gastroenterologist who should be trained in IBS and stomch complaints. I had to have a colonoscopy which ruled out infection and nasty bugs and was advised to take some very hardcore probiotics which has cleared up the majority of the issue. However as I still suffer from extreme bloating, this has lead to my consultant suggesting I try out the Low fodmap diet (it's a pain to get your head around but it is working). Basicially you have to cut out all foods that ferment (casuing sugers to be broken down and gas released) and then slowely introduce one food at a time over a period of what I imagine is going to be years. This should hopefully identify which foods are my tiggers.

I have also had blood allergy tests done and show up as having an allergy to wheat (this triggers my IBS) so yes you can have these test done on the NHS but they will only do them if you show allergy symptoms to certain types of food. There are 1000s of things you can be tested for and they definatly won't test you for all!

I have also been tested for Nut allergies, coming up negative, however I get a swollen tongue and itchy throat after eating peanuts... So I'd class that as an allergy!

As stated previously by other posters, intolerances (leading to IBS) and allergies are two different things.

It's definatly worth speaking with your GP about your concerns and asking to get referred.

GwylimT

trolleyrun wrote: »

It's not that. It's the having to eat gluten in two meals a day for 6 weeks I can't handle (which is what my GP said was necessary for the test). I wish I'd insisted on the test before I did the elimination diet.

As a coeliac, you don't have to do that, you can also been given a small tablet to swallow which is actually a camera, it highlights areas of bowel damage, yet another way to identify coeliacs disease.

Amica_2

Most GP will not offer tests like this unless they suspect something more serious than IBS. You can see a nutritional therapist - it will cost you a fee, but often they can help to find out the reason of your problem without tests, create a diet to suit you (based on your history and symptoms) or find test options to suit your budget. Allergy/intolerance way isn't always a good idea because you may end up giving up on too many food groups, so it's often either digestion or stress. Keep a food diary and note everything you eat and drink, where you have your meals, how you feel emotionally during that period, and symptoms whenever they appear.

Toothsmith

Be very aware that a 'Nutritional Therapist' is NOT a qualification or a profession.

Anyone can call themself a 'Nutritional Therapist' and pedal all sorts of quackary with no comeback at all from anywhere.

This useful publication explains the differences between a Dietician (The only proper recognised profession in this area) A Nutritionist, and a Nutritional Therapist.

https://www.bda.uk.com/publications/dietitian_nutritionist

Well worth a read.

There probably are some well meaning, well read Nutritional Therapists out there who know what they're talking about and can provide good advice. But it IS NOT a profession, there is NO recognised qualification, it is NOT a protected title, and there is NO regulation.

theoretica

The York Test people claim to have success with helping IBS - but you can't get the test on the NHS. My reading of the reviews are that it helps some people but not everyone. I personally found it useful in confirming suspicions and suggesting a food I hadn't even considered.