E95 Allergy Test?

[MikeVic]

I had this blood test done and got the results today (more out of curiosity because of something I read about Steve Nash's diet than anything else).

Does anyone know anything about this test and how accurate the results really are? I got some weird results and I'm not sure if I should be trusting it. I questioned the doctor about it but he assured me they're correct...

Thanks in advance.

[RainMaker]

Who did this test for you? I don't believe those are standard allergy tests and are typically done by pseudo-doctors and based on junk science.

[MikeVic]

I went to a Naturopath since I didn't like the attention I was getting from a couple of other medical doctors I went to. I got some OK advice from the Naturopath, but the test results kinda confused me. I read somewhere that Steve Nash based his diet (probably read it from a Nash Facebook post) on the results from one of these tests.

[tyketime]

My homeopathic doctor just had me do the ALCAT Test which also tests for food allergies and intolerances. I go back in a couple of weeks for the results. There are definitely sets of people who think these are a scam. I'll know more once I review the results. I do have some digestive issues, and if this can pinpoint certain foods I need to be more careful with, then that would work for me.

[MikeVic]

My results indicated I should avoid all dairy, beef, eggs, and clams. Egg whites and clams in particular scored super high... I'd accept that I guess, except that I KNOW bananas screw me up with itchiness and that came back as being good for me. So that's why I'm confused. I asked about it, and was told stuff like it's how the blood reacts to these foods, you might not see what they are doing to you, etc.

But if I know I isolated bananas on my own, I'd think it should show up in a test like this.

[Shkspr]

My gut instinct after talking with my wife (a medical chemist) is that an overwhelming percentage of the tests come back with instructions to limit or avoid dairy, eggs, and beef. She speculates that the test was developed to reinforce a plant-based diet recommendation.

[johnnyshaka]

She speculates that the test was developed to reinforce a plant-based diet recommendation.

That makes a ton of sense.

Figure out this place's "angle" and then I'm sure you'll find your results fit right in with their idea of a healthy lifestyle.

[JediKooter]

Sorry, but, when I hear or see the words 'naturopath' and 'homeopath', PT Barnum instantly comes to mind. Pseudo science is just that, pseudo science. If you want to think positive thoughts, that's fine. Giving your money away to a 21st century snake oil salesman...not so smart.

[MikeVic]

Well, it's partly covered for me. And like I said at the beginning, medical doctors have spent five minutes with me at most and then have either told me everything is fine or given me some pills that don't really find the root cause, just solves it for the time being. I was getting annoyed with that so thought I'd try a Naturopath for something different. I liked other stuff that was said, but the test results not so much.

[JediKooter]

Other than what you mentioned about bananas and the Steve Nash diet, not sure what else would make you think have food allergies. As I've gotten older, there's foods that tear me up that didn't used to. I think it's just a factor of me getting older and my body changing. I still eat it those foods, just not as often and not too far from a bathroom.

I'd trust 5 minutes with a true medical professional over an hour with a homeopath. However, I would keep asking your real doctor questions until you feel satisfied. Maybe switch real doctors if you can, but, don't let them off so easy. :)

Don't get me wrong, I totally understand wanting to figure out what's going on, but, unfortunately, at best, homeopaths/naturopaths are nothing more than placebos.

[Blackadar]

Sorry, but, when I hear or see the words 'naturopath' and 'homeopath', PT Barnum instantly comes to mind. Pseudo science is just that, pseudo science. If you want to think positive thoughts, that's fine. Giving your money away to a 21st century snake oil salesman...not so smart.

I have to +1 this.

You're going to get false positives and false negatives on even tests from a MD licensed allergist, never mind some homeopathic test based on junk science (if any science at all). Seriously, if you think you have major food allergies, go talk to an allergist. They have the proper stuff to test you and then the correct processes and procedures to do isolation testing to confirm/reject any initial testing.

If you do test positive, it's important to know why. For example, if you test positive for gluten intolerance, you need to reduce your gluten intake to a point you feel ok. If you have celiac disease - and the symptoms would be the exact same to a normal gluten allergy - you must eliminate all gluten, even if you feel fine! Otherwise, you can do permanent damage to your body.

Frankly, I'd entirely ignore the results of the test you took. Look at your suspicions - stuff that doesn't impact you came up positive, stuff that you think does tested negative. You just wasted your money and learned a lesson...if you want good medical advice, talk to a doctor.

[Desnudo]

at least you can still eat bacon

[JAG]

I have to +1 this.

You're going to get false positives and false negatives on even tests from a MD licensed allergist, never mind some homeopathic test based on junk science (if any science at all). Seriously, if you think you have major food allergies, go talk to an allergist. They have the proper stuff to test you and then the correct processes and procedures to do isolation testing to confirm/reject any initial testing.

If you do test positive, it's important to know why. For example, if you test positive for gluten intolerance, you need to reduce your gluten intake to a point you feel ok. If you have celiac disease - and the symptoms would be the exact same to a normal gluten allergy - you must eliminate all gluten, even if you feel fine! Otherwise, you can do permanent damage to your body.

Frankly, I'd entirely ignore the results of the test you took. Look at your suspicions - stuff that doesn't impact you came up positive, stuff that you think does tested negative. You just wasted your money and learned a lesson...if you want good medical advice, talk to a doctor.

Big +1 to this. My wife has a lot of allergies (environmental and sone food) and has taken food allergy tests with varying results. For sure she is allergic to tomatoes (developed this one at age 25) and shellfish, and she may be allergic to dill as well. She's had tests that indicated she's allergic to all sorts of things (potatos, bread, etc...) and her most recent one at Mayo showed she is only allergic to tomatoes. I strongly recommend if you think you have a food intolerance or allergy that you try to find the 'best' allergy specialist in the area you're willing to travel to and go to them for a diagnosis. It won't be a definitive answer, but depending on what resources they have available, over time they should be able to work with you to find what the real culprits are, if any.

Good luck.

[RainMaker]

MikeVic, I'd shop around for other doctors in your area and one you feel comfortable with and who gives you the time you are looking for.

The stuff you are getting into is based heavily on pseudoscience. Any improvement you get from their suggestions is a placebo effect. It doesn't make sense to you because it's complete bullshit.

[britrock88]

Trust your own tests above even the advice and diagnoses of doctors.