What should I do after receiving my food intolerance test results?

If you’ve long suspected that you have a food intolerance, finding out for sure is a positive step towards improved health and well-being. Whether you’ve noticed reoccurring symptoms after eating certain ingredients or want to reassess your lifestyle, your results will help you make any necessary changes to your diet and food choices. But is it as simple as eliminating identified ingredients from your shopping list, or are there specific guidelines you need to follow after receiving your food intolerance test results?

What information do the results contain?

Your food intolerance test results will be emailed to you in PDF format within 72 hours of UK Food Intolerance receiving your hair sample and submission form. The report will provide a comprehensive guide detailing all the items your sample has been tested against and which ones you’re intolerant to. Whether you’ve ordered dairy and gluten intolerance tests or a test kit that examines other factors, such as vitamin imbalances and digestive health, your results will be presented clearly so you know which items are likely to initiate physical symptoms.

Should I eliminate the identified food items completely?

Once you’re up to speed with your food intolerance test results, it’s a good idea to completely exclude the identified items from your diet for the next 4-6 weeks. This will give your body a chance to repair itself and rest. After this period, you can either slowly re-introduce these items to your diet to see if you experience any symptoms or continue eliminating them from your meals. If you’re intolerant to wheat, for example, and feel better about avoiding it altogether, you can begin to research alternative products or recipes that will be better suited to your digestive system. You’ll also be able to make informed choices when eating in restaurants, dining with friends and amending your shopping list accordingly.

Seek medical advice if necessary

As much as we can help identify any food intolerances, if you’re unsure about the dietary and lifestyle changes you should be making, it’s worth speaking to your GP for advice. If you’re planning on cutting out certain foods altogether, your body must continue to get the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and robust and, therefore, worth speaking to a medical professional for guidance. It’s also important to remember that if you continue to suffer from physical symptoms such as stomach ache, digestive problems and headaches after eating, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor if they want to refer you for any further investigations.

Order a food intolerance test to get your food intolerance test results

If you’d like more information about food intolerance tests or have received your results and would like to discuss them, please email [email protected] or fill out the contact form on our website. We also have an FAQ page with information about our tests and how they work that you may find helpful.