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Food-sensitivity test

If you have a food sensitivity, you may feel some discomfort if your body has a hard time digesting certain foods. We’ll cover what you need to know about causes, symptoms and getting a food sensitivity evaluation.

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Have questions about getting tested for food sensitivity? We can help.

What is food sensitivity?

Food sensitivity, also called food intolerance, occurs when you have trouble digesting certain foods. Food intolerance can be uncomfortable, but it typically isn't life-threatening. You may be able to eat small amounts of the food you’re sensitive to. However, it's important to not miss out on nutrients if you're cutting down or eliminating foods. If the food contains key nutrients, ask your MinuteClinic® provider how to adjust your diet.

Food sensitivities are different from food allergies, which are an immune system response. A food allergy can trigger serious reactions, such as hives, rashes and difficulty breathing.

 

Getting help

During your visit, a MinuteClinic provider will review your medical history and conduct a physical examination. MinuteClinic providers may test you for lactose intolerance and gluten sensitivities. If needed, they can refer you for additional tests, which may include blood tests or a skin test. They may recommend lifestyle changes or prescribe medication depending on your results. They may also refer you to a specialist, if necessary.

1. Prior to scheduling your appointment, you may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:



If you made your appointment online:

Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.



If you made your appointment in the clinic:

Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.

4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.

5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Food-sensitivity causes, symptoms and evaluation

Food sensitivities usually occur when your body doesn't have enough of a certain enzyme to break down a particular food. This causes discomfort as your body tries to digest it. These symptoms can appear shortly after eating or up to several hours later.

Lactose and gluten are common food intolerances. Some people may also be sensitive to histamines, which occur naturally in foods such as alcohol, aged cheese, bananas and dried fruit. Additives such as sulfites, artificial colors and MSG can also cause sensitivity.

Food sensitivities can change over time. Your body usually has fewer digestive enzymes as you age.

 

Food insensitivity or intolerance occurs when your body can’t properly digest or break down food. Although food sensitivity is usually not life-threatening, it can cause considerable discomfort. Food sensitivity symptoms include:

Symptoms may begin shortly after eating while the food makes its way through your digestive system. It’s common for most symptoms to occur within a few hours of eating. But in some cases, it could take several hours or even days before any symptoms come up, making it difficult to determine which food caused the reaction.

 

A food-sensitivity evaluation is a medical evaluation for people who have unwanted symptoms or reactions to food. A health care provider gives this test to someone to help them figure out which foods are causing reactions. Reactions to food can be:

  • Allergic reactions: Immune system responses to certain food
  • Intolerance or sensitivity: Digestive system (stomach, intestines, etc.) reactions to certain food

Intolerance or sensitivity can also cause some of the same symptoms of an allergic reaction. Examples of this include lactose intolerance (the inability to process a type of sugar found in milk) and gluten sensitivity (sensitivity to a type of protein found in wheat and other grains).

Different forms of food sensitivity testing are used to help pinpoint which foods may be causing problems for a patient.

 

If you have digestive symptoms related to food and aren’t sure which foods are the cause, a food-sensitivity evaluation may help.

While food sensitivity may be detected in childhood, your body can also develop an intolerance to certain foods as you age. That’s why it’s important to be evaluated if you have symptoms at any age.

 

During a visit to test for food sensitivity, a provider might:

  • Evaluate your symptoms
  • Review your medical history
  • Discuss your family history
  • Conduct a physical examination
  • Recommend you keep a food diary
  • Suggest an elimination diet (removing certain foods from your diet to figure out which one is causing your food insensitivity)
  • Recommend further diagnostic evaluation

 

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IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: This material is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions. Please visit a health care provider for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your local emergency department.

 

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