Food allergy testing

[cakeyj]

Has anyone had any experience of food allery testing? I am looking into it for my autistic son but the prices are huge. Therefore I was wondering if anyone had any good or bad experiences of this so I could decide if it was worth doing?

Many thanks

[wiggal]

Hi Cakeyj,

I know Holland and Barrett do it once a month and the top price is �65 and its for food testing and also mineral/vitamin defiencies.
:)

[daffy654]

Our GP's surgery has a notice up in reception advising against having these allergy tests done at shops as they have a habit of returning false positives. An intolerance can show up as an allergy and the two are most definitely not the same thing. I would ask your GP or hospital specialist if they are available on the NHS (assuming you are in the UK). I have a 10 year old son with Asperger Syndrome and my GP is usually happy to listen to any concerns I have about his health.

[cazzz1975]

for my 2 autistic children I tend to lay off the chemical and processed foods which has made a difference, however if you are concerned about leaky gut syndome then I am sure they would have no probs testing him on the nhs

it depends on what types of sypmtoms your son is experiencing

[FUZZYBEE]

I would go back to doc and explain why you want this done and he should really be able to arrange for the testing to be done at the surgery either by himself or the practice nurse, failing that if he is not very forthcoming then ask him for a referral to the local NHS hospital not sure what department that would come under Dermatology perhaps ?
Good Luck

[andrea81]

I would have thought your GP would be able to advise you.

My sister had one done at Holland and Barrets and she was apparantly allergic to about 40 foods. She has since rubbished the test results as they were very obviously wrong! Bit of a money spinner if you ask me.

[cakeyj]

In my experience the medical opinions surrounding autism is that there is not much that can be done and that doctors are reluctant to dip into their precious budgets when there are much more 'optimistic' conditions to be dealt with, hence me looking privatly.
I have heard of Holland and Barrets tests but with other online companies there have been mixed reports in accuracy and reliability. Not sure what to do really......

[daffy654]

Have you been in touch with the national autistic society,they may be able to advise you of a charity that will pay for you to get the tests done at a private hospital. I most definitely wouldn't bother with shop bought tests,as has been said they are extremely inaccurate. Also your doctor cannot refuse to refer your son for allergy testing if you belive he has allergies. Threaten to report him for discrimination against the disabled...that should scare him into taking you seriously. What makes you think your son may have allergies by the way, does he react in a certain way after certain foods?