ALLERGY TESTING
Food Allergy Testing & Dietary Analysis
In an effort to help give the most accurate diagnosis for a variety of health concerns we utilize food allergy testing from Alletess Medical Labs. Even though as humans we are built the same structurally our body composition can differ tremendously from one person to the next.
Most of the time in healthcare we rely on the presentation of symptoms to help diagnose the problem. Unfortunately, diagnosing and treating are two separate issues. Often a diagnosis is followed by a recommendation such as prescribed medication and/or rest, which may help reduce the symptoms, but do nothing to solve the underlying problem.
Scratch Testing
Scratch testing or (skin prick testing) is a fast and simple way to test for multiple food or environmental allergies. In 20 minutes, we’ll know what you are and aren’t allergic to.
Extracts of frequent allergens are placed on needles that are utilized to scratch your skin along your forearms or upper back. Don’t worry, there’s no bleeding and the test is practically painless. Areas that become red or inflamed indicate the presence of particular allergies. The extent of the local reaction correlates to the severity of your allergy.
While skin prick testing for environmental allergies is reliable, the sensitivity and precision of the test diminishes in food prick testing. As such, when analyzing food allergies, we generally reference a follow up with blood work.
Blood Testing
Our blood tests measure personalized nutrition at the cellular level by measuring the blood’s cellular response to challenges from a wide variety of substances including various foods, additives, colorings and chemicals. The blood is drawn at the Atlanta Medical Clinic and then mailed to Alletess Medical Labs for testing.
Once the test is complete, Alletess Medical Labs will send us back a full color coated packet displaying the results. They highlight all of the foods that you are incompatible with and the level of reaction (mild, moderate or severe).
The results of these tests are in some cases profound as simple dietary adjustments can yield big changes. The food choices we make directly impact our lives in so many ways. Eating healthy in general is a good start but even the healthiest of eaters can be negatively affected by food choices if they have some type of intolerance.
Oral Challenges
This test is a standard method for ruling out or confirming food or drug allergies. As its name suggests, you will be “challenged” to eat small quantities of the questionable food or drug in controlled conditions under the direct supervision of one of our allergy specialists.
An oral challenge might be recommended in these situations: to clarify inconclusive allergy test results, to determine whether an allergy has been outgrown, to assess food or drug intolerances. It might also be recommended if other methods are not feasible or available, such as when testing for some medication allergies (as in an aspirin challenge).
Be Cautious of Alternative Allergy Testing
Recent media reports advise against the use of alternative allergy tests for children. Health and clinical experts advise that there is little to no evidence that alternative tests for children’s food allergies work.
Health experts advise to avoid using hair analysis, Vega testing, serum specific IgG tests, and muscle weakness tests on children to diagnose a food allergy. Additionally, test kits available in stores and online should be avoided as well. Despite wasting time and money, the results from over-the-counter tests are not accurate and may lead to dietary changes causing malnutrition. We recommend consulting one of our doctors at Atlanta Medical Clinic for diagnosis.
How To Schedule An Appointment
Please visit our offices today for the best allergy testing services Atlanta has to offer. Call us at 404.872.8837 or fill out the contact form to the right to receive more information.
Food Allergy Test Testimonial
Food Allergy Test Testimonial
Food Allergy Test Testimonial
Food Allergy Test Testimonial
Food Allergy Test Testimonial
