If you would like to test for foods that you have avoided for more than 3 months, we recommend reintroducing these foods into your diet for at least one week before completing the blood sample for the Food Intolerance test. This step is essential to ensure that your body has had sufficient exposure to the specific foods, allowing the immune system to potentially produce IgG antibodies in response to them. However, it's crucial to continue avoiding any foods that you already know you have a known allergy to or those that trigger severe reactions. 

No, you should not stop taking any medication before taking the test. It's essential to speak with your general practitioner or healthcare provider first. Your medications are prescribed to manage specific health conditions, and discontinuing them without medical supervision could pose risks to your health.

Yes, certain medications can potentially impact the results of the test. Specifically, if you are currently taking immunosuppressant drugs, it is advisable not to complete the food intolerance test. These medications can affect immune responses, potentially leading to inaccurate or inconclusive test results. Please consult your doctor or healthcare provider before making any decisions related to the test or your medications. Prioritising your safety and well-being is paramount, and your healthcare provider can help navigate any concerns or considerations regarding the test and your current medications.

No, the food intolerance test results are intended to provide valuable insights into your dietary sensitivities but should not replace medical advice or treatments. If you have underlying health conditions or concerns, it's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation and personalised advice. The test results can serve as a useful tool in collaboration with healthcare experts to optimise your diet and overall wellness.

ReasonRemedy's policy regarding the lower age limit for testing IgG food antibodies is based on established guidelines and considerations specific to children's health. Our current practice is to advise against testing children under the age of 2 years. This policy is aligned with the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Guidelines for the Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease 2012.

These guidelines recognise that infants under the age of 2 may have a higher likelihood of false negative results due to factors such as the permeability of the infant gut and the ongoing development of mucosal immunity.

While published guidelines do not explicitly define a minimum age for testing IgG antibodies, it's important to note that the decision to perform such testing, especially for children, remains a matter of careful consideration. We acknowledge that there may be instances where a qualified and regulated healthcare professional deems testing necessary for a child under 2 years of age. In such cases, the responsibility for determining the appropriate timing and tests to perform rests with the requesting clinician.

Our commitment is to prioritise the health and well-being of individuals, especially children, and to adhere to recognised guidelines while allowing for clinical judgment by qualified professionals when necessary.

No, we advise against taking the test if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, your immune system undergoes changes, and certain components of the immune system are suppressed. As a result, taking the test during this time may not provide accurate results for identifying food intolerances.

While it is advisable to completely fill the tube and provide 100 microlitres of blood for your sample, a half filled microvette tube may possibly be enough to run the test. If there are any issues with the sample, our laboratory will inform you. In case the sample received is inadequate for testing, we will reach out to discuss the next steps or any further actions needed. We understand that the process of drawing blood may vary for each individual, and our team is here to assist you throughout the testing process.

Food sensitivities occur due to various factors and underlying mechanisms in the body. Some common reasons why food sensitivities occur include:

Immune System Response: The immune system may recognise specific proteins or molecules in food as foreign invaders or threats, triggering an immune reaction and the production of IgG antibodies.

Leaky Gut Syndrome: When the gut lining becomes compromised, undigested food particles and toxins may leak into the bloodstream, leading to immune responses and sensitivities to those foods.

Gut Microbiome Imbalance: An imbalance in the gut microbiome, the complex ecosystem of microorganisms in the digestive tract, can influence how the body processes and reacts to certain foods. Disruptions in the gut microbiome can contribute to food sensitivities.

Repeated Exposure: Frequent and repetitive consumption of certain foods may increase the likelihood of developing sensitivities over time.

It's important to note that food sensitivities are highly individualised, and what triggers a sensitivity in one person may not affect another. Identifying the specific foods causing sensitivities and understanding the underlying mechanisms can help individuals make informed dietary choices and manage their health more effectively.

Our labs use ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) testing, which is considered the gold standard of testing for antibodies and provides the most accurate results. ELISA is used to detect IgG (Immunoglobulin) antibodies produced by the immune system in response to specific foods. When certain foods are consumed, and undigested fragments or molecules enter the bloodstream, the immune system can recognise them as foreign invaders and respond by producing IgG antibodies. These antibodies target the specific foods, and their presence in the bloodstream indicates the body's immune reaction to those foods. Our tests screen for all IgG subclasses (1,2, 3 and 4), to ensure it gives the most accurate and reliable results. 

Hair tests and blood-based food intolerance tests differ in the type of information they provide and the mechanisms they measure. Hair tests involve analysing the mineral content in the hair, aiming to identify nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal exposure, or imbalances in mineral levels. However, hair treatments like colouring or bleaching can impact the mineral content in the hair, leading to inconsistencies in test results and reducing the reliability of the analysis. Furthermore, hair tests cannot assess immune reactions, including IgG antibody responses to foods, which are critical for identifying food intolerances and sensitivities.

On the other hand, blood-based tests offer the ability to accurately detect IgG antibody responses to specific foods, helping individuals identify potential food intolerances that may trigger immune reactions. Utilising the ELISA testing method allows us to cover all IgG subclasses (1, 2, 3, and 4), offering a more comprehensive evaluation of immune responses to various foods and providing a detailed assessment of potential food sensitivities. This comprehensive approach ensures that you receive thorough insights into your body's immune reactions, empowering you to make informed dietary decisions to support your overall well-being.

The relationship between high IgG antibody levels and symptoms is complex and varies from person to person. In some cases, high IgG antibody levels to specific foods can indeed cause symptoms and contribute to food intolerances or sensitivities. Symptoms can include; digestive issues, skin problems, respiratory symptoms, headaches, fatigue, joint pain and mood changes. It's important to remember that not all individuals with high IgG antibody levels to certain foods will experience symptoms. Some people may have elevated IgG levels without any noticeable adverse reactions. The presence of IgG antibodies alone does not necessarily indicate immediate or severe symptoms like in allergies (IgE-mediated reactions). 

Gut barrier dysfunction, also known as increased intestinal permeability or "leaky gut", refers to a condition where the lining of the gastrointestinal tract becomes compromised, allowing substances that should not normally pass through to cross into the bloodstream. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract's lining acts as a protective barrier, selectively allowing nutrients to be absorbed while keeping harmful substances, toxins, and undigested food particles from entering the bloodstream. When these foreign substances enter the bloodstream, the immune system may recognise them as potential threats, triggering an immune response and inflammation. Over time, chronic inflammation and immune activation may contribute to various health issues and symptoms, including food sensitivities, autoimmune conditions, allergies, and digestive problems.

At the moment, we can only accept orders for ReasonRemedy Test Kits from customers located in the UK. This is because the test requires a live blood sample, which restricts shipping and processing options to within the UK. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer support team at hello@reasonremedy.com.

Your Test Kit will be shipped using Royal Mail's 48hr tracked delivery service. This ensures a reliable delivery process. Once your test is dispatched from our facility, you will receive tracking information to keep you updated on the status of your shipment. This way, you can conveniently track your test kit until it reaches your designated delivery address! If you have any questions or need further assistance regarding the shipping of your test, please feel free to contact our customer support team at hello@reasonremedy.com.

Yes! You have the option to upgrade your delivery to a next day 24hr delivery. If you have any questions or need further assistance regarding the shipping of your test, please contact our customer support team at hello@reasonremedy.com.

Yes, it's crucial to store your sample in the fridge until you send it back to us. To maintain the sample's integrity, it must be sent within 24 hours of being taken. Therefore, please plan to complete the sample collection on a day that allows for timely postage. Keeping the sample refrigerated ensures that we receive it in optimal condition for accurate testing and reliable results.