Does a general practice perform food intolerance testing?

Food-related bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or nausea can have several causes. The clinician will ask about timing, portion size, repeat exposure, bowel changes, weight, medicines and any foods you have already removed. Some symptoms suggest an allergy or another digestive condition rather than intolerance, so the evaluation helps select the right investigation. Broad home test kits may not answer the clinical question and can lead to unnecessary restriction.

Keep a food and symptom diary that records what you ate, when symptoms began and how long they lasted. Bring a list of medicines and supplements. Do not remove several food groups for a long period without professional advice, especially if you are pregnant, growing, underweight or managing another illness. The practice may suggest a focused elimination and reintroduction plan, blood work or referral depending on the history.

Seek urgent help for swelling of the mouth or throat, breathing difficulty, faintness or a rapidly spreading itchy rash after eating. Arrange prompt medical review for blood in stool, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, dehydration, unexplained weight loss or symptoms that wake you repeatedly. These signs need assessment rather than an intolerance kit or self-imposed diet.

Ask which condition the proposed test is designed to investigate, whether you should continue eating the suspected food before testing, and how results will change your diet. Ask for dietitian support if avoiding foods may affect nutrition or daily meals.