What should you know about London food intolerance testing?

Food intolerance describes difficulty digesting or reacting to a food without the immune pattern seen in a food allergy. Symptoms may include bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea or wind after eating. Lactose intolerance is one example; irritable bowel syndrome can also cause food-related symptoms. Tests vary, and some commercial panels do not reliably identify the cause of symptoms. A careful history often matters more than a broad result.

Keep a diary of foods, portions, timing and symptoms, including bowel changes and any accidental exposures. Do not remove many foods for a long period without advice, because restrictive diets can reduce nutrition and make the pattern harder to interpret. A clinician may suggest a supervised elimination followed by reintroduction, or a targeted test when the history supports it. Allergy Testing is a different assessment for immune reactions.

Arrange medical review for persistent or worsening symptoms, unplanned weight loss, blood in the stool, repeated vomiting, fever, difficulty swallowing or symptoms that wake you at night. Seek urgent help for swelling of the lips or tongue, breathing difficulty, faintness or a rapidly spreading allergic reaction after food.

Ask which diagnosis fits your pattern, whether you need a supervised food challenge or elimination plan, and how to maintain balanced nutrition while testing a suspected food.