Warning over tests for food intolerance

THE Coeliac Society of Ireland has warned about the use of tests marketed as diagnosing food intolerance after it emerged that more and more people use them to try to find out if they have coeliac disease.

Dietitian and nutritionist Sarah Keogh said that food intolerance tests are unreliable because they cannot determine whether or not someone is coeliac or even intolerant to gluten. The Coeliac Society believes thousands of people who use such tests, either at home or in clinics, in a bid to diagnose gastrointestinal issues, could be doing themselves harm.

Ms Keogh said: ‘One of these tests which is particularly problematic is a blood test called an IgG – or immunoglobulin G – test. This is where a person has a blood sample taken, either at a clinic or with a kit they use at home. This sample is then sent to a laboratory where the sample is tested for IgG levels to a range of foods. There is no scientific evidence that IgG test results reflect any actual food intolerances or sensitivity and they certainly don’t tell you if you are coeliac.’

She said the only reliable way to determine if you have coeliac disease is to get a blood test done with your GP.