Children's Food Intolerance Test

Yes. Children can experience food intolerances, which happen when the body has difficulty digesting or processing a particular food or ingredient. Unlike a food allergy, an intolerance does not usually involve the same immediate immune response and is not generally associated with potentially life-threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis. Symptoms can vary between children and may depend on the type of intolerance and the amount of the food consumed.

Food intolerance can cause symptoms such as: • Bloating • Stomach pain or discomfort • Wind • Diarrhoea • Nausea • Constipation in some circumstances Symptoms can sometimes appear several hours after eating, which can make identifying a particular food more difficult. Keeping a food and symptom diary can therefore be helpful when investigating possible triggers.

If your child regularly experiences symptoms such as bloating, stomach discomfort or changes in their bowel habits after eating certain foods, it's reasonable to investigate whether diet could be contributing. However, there isn't one test that can definitively identify every type of food intolerance. Depending on the suspected cause, investigation may involve a food and symptom diary, a supervised elimination and reintroduction diet, blood tests or, for conditions such as lactose intolerance, a breath test. If symptoms are persistent, severe, affect your child's growth or involve possible allergic reactions, speak to your child's GP or an appropriate healthcare professional.

A food allergy involves an immune response to a food. IgE-mediated allergic reactions can occur quickly and may cause symptoms including itching, hives, swelling, vomiting, wheezing and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Food intolerance is different and can occur when the body has difficulty digesting or processing a particular food or ingredient. Symptoms are often digestive and may include bloating, stomach pain, wind or diarrhoea. If your child experiences rapid or severe symptoms after eating, this should be investigated as a possible allergy rather than assumed to be an intolerance.

Yes, some food intolerances can develop or become apparent over time rather than necessarily being present from birth. The underlying cause varies depending on the intolerance. For example, lactose intolerance occurs when the body does not produce enough lactase to digest lactose effectively. Symptoms and tolerance can also vary depending on how much of the problematic food is consumed.

Not without considering your child's nutritional requirements. The NHS specifically advises against removing foods from a child's diet without advice from a GP or dietitian because doing so could mean they miss important vitamins and minerals needed for growth and development. A structured approach may involve monitoring symptoms, temporarily eliminating a suspected food and subsequently reintroducing it to determine whether symptoms return.

During normal digestion, food is broken down into smaller components like amino acids and fatty acids, which are safely absorbed into the bloodstream. However, if the gut lining becomes more permeable than usual — a condition sometimes referred to as "leaky gut" — larger fragments of undigested or partially digested food can enter the bloodstream. When this happens, the immune system may mistakenly identify these food particles as potential threats and produce IgG antibodies in response. This can lead to inflammation and a range of symptoms linked to food intolerances.

Your blood test results include your reactivity ratings to the items analysed in your chosen test. Our test results are comprehensive but simple to follow and explain in full what everything means to make sure you fully understand it.

Once we’ve received your sample at our laboratory, you’ll receive your test results via email in just 3 working days.

You don’t need any medical knowledge or training to read our test results, as everything is laid out to make them quick and easy to understand.

As soon as our lab has received your blood sample we will send you an email to let you know your sample has arrived safely. If you haven’t received email correspondence from Check My Body Health, please check your email spam or junk folder in case our emails have gone into these folders.

Testing for IgG antibodies to foods can provide valuable insights into how your body may be reacting to the things you eat and drink on a regular basis. Unlike food allergies, which trigger an immediate immune response through IgE antibodies, food intolerances are often linked to IgG antibodies and can cause delayed symptoms that are harder to trace back to specific foods. Common reasons to test for IgG antibodies include: • Unexplained symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, skin problems, or digestive discomfort. • Identifying hidden triggers - reactions may appear hours or days after eating, making it difficult to spot patterns without testing. • Personalised diet guidance - IgG testing helps highlight potential foods contributing to inflammation or discomfort, supporting more informed dietary changes. • Improved well-being - many people report higher energy, clearer skin, and better weight management after adjusting their diet based on IgG test results. It’s important to note that IgG testing is not used to diagnose food allergies or medical conditions. Instead, it can be a helpful tool for creating a tailored nutrition plan and supporting your overall wellness journey.

IgG stands for Immunoglobulin G - one of the main types of antibodies produced by your immune system. Antibodies like IgG play a key role in your body’s defence system, helping to identify and neutralise foreign substances such as bacteria, viruses, or even certain food components. There are several types of immunoglobulins, including IgA, IgE, IgG, and IgM, each with its own function. IgG is particularly important in identifying delayed immune responses, which are often linked to food intolerances rather than immediate allergic reactions.

Yes, it's possible to have elevated IgG levels to certain foods and still feel perfectly fine. In some cases, the immune system is highly effective at clearing IgG-antigen complexes before they trigger any noticeable symptoms. This means that while the body is reacting to a food at the immune level, it may not lead to inflammation or discomfort - at least not immediately or consistently.That’s why IgG results are best interpreted alongside your personal health history, symptoms, and in consultation with a qualified practitioner.

Yes. The included 30-minute consultation is an opportunity to ask what the report shows, explain any concerns you have about your child’s diet and discuss appropriate next steps. The consultation does not replace a medical assessment if your child has symptoms.

Following the consultation, your nutritionist can provide a formal letter if a dietary plan is agreed. It can explain the plan to your child’s school, nursery or club. An IgG result alone should not be presented as proof of an allergy or a need to exclude a food.