You may be looking to find out if you have a Food allergy or food sensitivity/intolerance to certain foods on your health journey. I can tell you firsthand that it is definitely worth the price and knowledge of finding out what has been causing you discomfort.

There are many options to choose from online these days. Services that send you an at-home prick test, you collect your sample on a card, then mail it back in for the lab to test. You’ll wait a few weeks, and your results will be emailed. You get your allergy and intolerance info at your fingertips.
It really is that easy.

Why do a food allergy or intolerance test?

If you’re like me, you may be having some reactions, whether congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, brain fog, wheezing, stomach pain, or other such reactions after eating. Or perhaps it may be outdoor allergies, or so you thought. I know I did. Or maybe you’ve done an elimination diet and still need help determining what’s ailing you.

It could be food-based allergies or intolerances that are the root cause.

How else to know for sure if you have an intolerance or allergy?

You can always do an elimination diet if you think you have a possible food allergy or intolerance.

I did this on several occasions, which led me to believe that I have a food intolerance. I’ve also done it with my two girls and realized they reacted to cow’s milk. Later, I find out I have a high intolerance, too, mother-like daughter.

I’ve used two at-home Testing companies. I find they are both excellent with slight variations and give you the results in about the same time frame.

EverlyWell Food Sensitivity Test

You may have heard of this one before. They offer more than just food allergy testing. They offer your basic lipid panel testing, women’s hormone testing (I’ve also done this one), thyroid, heart health, etc.

This test checks how your body responds to 96 different foods.

Type of testing?

IgG antibody reactivity only.

What does that mean?

This means they are testing only for food intolerances, not allergies.
The test covers the common food sensitivities such as milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, etc. Learn more about the difference between food allergy, food intolerance, and food sensitivity.

Test/Supplies

The test comes nicely packaged with simple instructions. The kit includes everything you need for the home prick test. You will prick your finger with the included lancet and place your sample on the enclosed card. You’ll register your sample on the website before returning. This allows for tracking of your sample and test results.

I recommend taking a picture of your test card and the information you return before shipping. This helped me when I had to track my sample as it was taking an unexpected delay.

Ensure you write down all the necessary info on the card, such as collection date and time or kit ID.
Once you’ve collected your sample, you’ll return the card in the included paid-for envelope/box.

Results

After the lab receives your sample, it will take a few weeks to process your results. Your results are emailed to you, and you can also access them on their website.

The results are easy to understand, and you can print or send them to your doctor’s office.

The results can be eye-opening if you have never had this type of testing before. I’ve had this test a few times over the last year to see if my sensitivities have changed.

I enjoy using this company as their testing is straightforward, easy to understand and administer at home. Their results took about two weeks for me to receive and one of the test results took slightly longer as there was an issue with my kit not containing the necessary information.

This is a great place to start if you are looking for information on your health journey. Again they offer several types of at-home testing.

Cost

The sensitivity kit was $159 at the time of this post. They also offer a more comprehensive food sensitivity test for $259, checking 108 more foods.

Test My Allergy

Test My Allergy Voted Best Overall Blood Allergy Test by Verywell Health.

After some research, I’m not convinced that I had figured out what all my sensitivities were. I need more testing or different types to see if something else is underlying.

I’m still having reactions after eating, and according to the other test, I had been avoiding the sensitive foods listed on the EverlyWell results.

Test My Allergy

This at-home tests food allergies and intolerances. It tests for 70 key items, including food and external allergens like ragweed, pet dander, etc.

Type of testing?

IgE for allergies
IgG4 for intolerances. IgG4 is a subclass of IgG.

Test My Allergy – Combined Allergy & Intolerance test for allergy and intolerance. The EverlyWell food sensitivity checks for just that sensitivity or intolerance.

EverlyWell also checked for food only and Test My Allergy for food and external items.

Test My Allergy also offers a Food Intolerance test only. It uses IgG4 food reaction test for 80 different food intolerances and is more comparable to the EverlyWell Food sensitivity test. However, I have not used this test.

Test/Supplies

Same prick test as in the EverlyWell test kit. You receive everything you need to do the test at home. While the packaging is less aesthetically pleasing, it gets the job done.

You’ll prick your finger with the lancet and place your sample on the enclosed card. Fill in all your information, and once finished, you’ll mail the envelope back. However, it is not prepaid, which was disappointing. I had to go to the post office to mail it out because I never use stamps. So that part was inconvenient.

Their site clearly states you get your results within seven working days of receipt of your labs. I found this to be true. I mailed it Tuesday morning and had my results in my inbox the following Friday morning.

Results

The results are emailed to you, or you can access them through an app on your phone. The results are easy to read, and food recommendations are listed at the report’s end.

Cost

The combined allergy & intolerance test is $169 at the time of this post and the food intolerance test is $139. As with all of these companies, these are out-of-pocket costs and insurance will not cover them. If you need insurance to cover it you’ll need to go through your doctor’s office and get the lab order etc.

Overall

I found that both of these at-home testing kits are easy to use. Both delivered results within two weeks directly to your inbox.

I really like using EverlyWell as its overall presentation and ease of use are excellent. However, when you start wanting more specific testing such as the IgE you may need to find another company. In doing so you’ll find other companies may lack the esthetic presentation of EverlyWell but offer more in their testing. The testing is the bottom line of course but you do notice the difference.

Both are great to use and offer you more information without going to the doctor office for an office visit, to get the doctor’s order to get labs, then go to the lab and have blood drawn, then wait for your doctor to call you back or the lab to send the results.

Try Test My Allergy Here or EverlyWell Here.

At-home testing has brought the ability to manage your health more easily from the comfort of your own home: no doctor orders or lab visits. They are worth a try. These tests allow you to be more proactive in your health and wellness journey.

I wish you peace and guidance on your journey.

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