IgE Food Allergy (Immediate Response)
A food allergy is when the immune system produces specific IgE antibodies. These antibodies typically lead to an immediate allergic reaction that may even be life threatening. Within seconds or minutes of eating a trigger food, the symptoms appear instantly and may include severe swelling, breathing difficulty, rash, itching skin or even anaphylactic shock. Many allergies are mild and only manifest themselves intermittently, when the body experiences exposure to multiple allergens at the same time. Use your food allergy test results as a guide to reduce exposure to dietary allergens to help eliminate or reduce your symptoms.

IgG Food Sensitivity (Delayed Response)
A food sensitivity, sometimes called intolerance, is when the immune system produces specific IgG antibodies. These antibodies can lead to an inflammatory process and take up to three days after the consumption of a trigger food to manifest discernable physical symptoms.

This is not a Food Sensitivity (IgG) Test. A Food Sensitivity IgG test is useful to help pinpoint potential food intolerances. If you are interested in 4U Health’s Food Sensitivity (IgG) Test, please click here.

Food allergies affect millions of Americans and their families. Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts to certain proteins in food that would usually be harmless. Food allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylactic shock. See below for the 9 most common food allergies in the USA.¹

• Egg
• Crustacean shellfish
• Fish
• Milk
• Peanut
• Sesame
• Soy
• Tree nut
• Wheat

Food induced allergies have a rapid onset of symptoms. They typically appear with seconds to a few hours after having consumed the trigger food(s). If you or your child is or has experienced symptoms that you believe may be related to food allergies, testing the body’s IgE antibody response to certain foods may help determine the cause of physical symptoms.

• Digestive

• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating, or gas
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Vomiting

• Head

• Face, tongue, or lip swelling
• Headaches
• Sinus congestion
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth

• Body

• Anaphylaxis
• Coughing or wheezing
• Dizziness and/or lightheadedness
• Flushed skin
• General feeling of discomfort
• Inflammation or joint pain
• Rash, skin problems, or eczema
• Tingling or itchy sensation of the skin
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath

Food allergens often share overlapping symptoms with respiratory allergens. Consider respiratory allergy testing together with food allergy testing to increase the likelihood of finding your trigger allergen(s) that may be causing symptoms. For one of the most inclusive allergy tests available online that checks for 295 allergens, see our Complete Food and Respiratory Allergy Test.

• Test to confirm or rule out a food allergy if you have symptoms:
• This test may benefit people with physical symptoms possibly attributed to their diet and who are open to trying to eliminate certain foods to help feel their best. If you don’t know where to start, 4U Health’s Food Allergy (158 Target) test is our most expansive option to identify problem foods in your diet. For a better picture of your allergy triggers consider our Complete Food & Respiratory Allergy Test (295 Target) – one of the most comprehensive allergy tests available online.

Your food allergy results will show your IgE antibody reactivity to a list of 158 common foods. A stronger reaction to a particular food increases the likelihood and severity of a food allergy.

Please note it is also possible that elevated levels with some foods may not cause symptoms. As such, an IgE level is not a standalone definitive diagnosis. Only your doctor can definitively diagnose a food allergy by considering your test results, symptoms, and complete medical history.

However, you know your body best and how well you feel. You can use your results to attempt a targeted elimination diet to confirm if identified foods are the source of your symptoms.

View an Expanded Food Allergy Test, 158 Target (IgE) sample report.

4U Health’s Expanded Food Allergy, 158 Target (IgE) Test is designed for individuals to identify food allergies that may be causing unwanted symptoms. We do not recommend the use of the results of the Food Allergy Test to achieve weight loss.

If you suffer from chronic diarrhea or have had a severe allergic reaction with or without anaphylaxis, please contact your doctor immediately.

• This test is not intended for the following individuals:

• History of eating disorders: For people with a history of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, or any other related eating disorder, it is not recommended to utilize the test as part of a food elimination diet without the supervision of an attending physician.
   
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Expectant and nursing women have specific nutritional needs. For this reason, they should not utilize this test as part of an elimination diet without the supervision of a healthcare provider or nutritionist.
   
• Specimens collected in New York State: This test is not available for patient self-collection in NY.
   
• Children under 2-years-old: The test taker must be 2+ years old.

Test now or later. Your self-collection test kit will arrive with an expiration date of at least 5 months from your order date. That’s great news if you are buying multiple kits for yourself or want to gift to a friend or family member for later use. All test samples must be collected and mailed by the expiration date on your kit. Our current lot of test kits expire on July 31, 2023.

All 4U Health tests are eligible for gifting. In fact, they make great presents. The recipient who receives your gift will simply open the kit, register it, and follow the collection instructions. Within a few days of sending to the lab, your friend or family member will receive secure electronic HIPAA compliant results all thanks to your generosity.

4U Health tests meet national standards and are as accurate as services provided in a doctor’s office or hospital. We only work with the highest quality CLIA certified laboratories and health experts. All testing complies with state and federal regulations. And our clinicians provide medical oversight throughout the entire process.

Rest assured; HIPAA security standards protect your data every step of the way while determining your food intolerances. Keeping your confidential data secure is our number one priority. We only share your information when required to deliver our products and services or where we are legally obligated to do so. Your results are securely protected and available for review in your online portal; always secure but easily accessible only to you.

Pay upfront and receive no surprise medical bills. 4U Health is not enrolled in Medicare or any other private insurance network. This test is not eligible for Medicare or any other federal or state-funded insurance program reimbursement.

So you still have unanswered questions. No worries, we’d love to hear from you. Reach us by e-mail, phone or chat and we will do our best to provide answers so you can determine if this is the best test for you or your child.

• 866-610-1200
• help@4uhealth.com
• Chat Support 
   
• PO Box 100083
  Pittsburgh, PA 15233