Frequently asked questions
If you still have questions or are just curious about one of our tests, you might find the answer to your query here.About the test
What is food sensitivity?
Food sensitivity happens when the body has difficulty digesting a particular food. Having food sensitivity can cause symptoms such as bloating, bowel movement changes, headaches and fatigue. It can also contribute towards symptoms experienced by those with chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, arthritis, autism and ADD/ADHD.
What is food allergy?
Food sensitivity should not be confused with food allergy. This test is for food sensitivity ONLY. Food allergy symptoms include coughing, sneezing, runny nose/eyes, itchy mouth/eyes, swelling of the lips/face, rashes, worsening of eczema and/or asthma, wheezing, breathing difficulties, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis. Testing for food allergy can only be done through a blood, skin prick or patch test.
Do you test for allergies?
Sensitivity NOT Allergy
It is important to reiterate that this test is NOT for allergy. It is easy to confuse allergy and sensitivity or intolerance as the different terms are often used interchangeably, which leads to misinterpretation. Allergy and sensitivity are not the same. Of course if someone is allergic to a food item it could be described as
being ‘sensitive’ however as a health condition allergy is different from sensitivity or intolerance.
There are a couple of fundamental differences between allergy and sensitivity; having food sensitivity may be uncomfortable and cause symptoms that, whilst annoying, embarrassing or even debilitating, do not have the potential to be life-threatening like those caused by food allergy; food sensitivity can also change over time, it can often be overcome through implementation of a food elimination diet and/or improving gut health, however food allergy tends to be lifelong.
The physiological process, which takes place in the body during an allergic reaction, is also entirely different to that of sensitivity. An allergic reaction involves the immune system and cells called antibodies, whereas this is not involved in sensitivity. Hair testing does not test antibody levels therefore this is why it cannot be used to test for allergy.
What is non-food sensitivity?
Non-food items can, just like food items, cause the body to react, which leads to the production of symptoms such as headaches and fatigue. It is important to note that this is not an allergy test and therefore any known pollen, dust mite or mold allergies may or may not come up in this test.
What is metal toxicity?
Metal toxicity is the build-up of large amounts of heavy metals in the soft tissues of the body. The heavy metals most commonly associated with poisoning are lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium. Exposure usually occurs through industrial exposure, pollution, food, medication, improperly coated food containers or the ingestion of lead-based paints. Symptoms vary between the different types of heavy metals.
What is an elimination diet?
An elimination diet is the removal of intolerant or problematic foods and drinks from your daily diet. It is conducted over a short period of time, normally around 4 weeks. In certain cases a person may be recommended to conduct a longer elimination diet, however generally around 4 weeks is sufficient time to get good results. At the end of this period you can reintroduce items one by one at the same time as monitoring your symptoms and general wellbeing.
What can you eat on an elimination diet?
You can eat any items, which are shown as having no reactivity, except any known allergies or intolerances.
How many items do you test for?
We test for over 400 types of food and drinks. We also test for over 400 non food items like pollen and detergents. In addition, we test Vitamins + Minerals and Metals. Please select the most appropriate test for you from the choice of our 3 tests.
Taking & sending your sample
I’m waiting for my kit to arrive, how long will it take?
There is no physical kit that’s sent out to you. Once you’ve completed your order please following the on screen or emailed instructions and send us your hair sample to the address provided.
You do not need any special packaging to send your sample in, just place your hair into a small sealable bag clearly stating your redemption code and name in a secure mailing envelope.
Please remember to pay for the correct postage as we cannot be responsible for mail without a stamp.
Addressed to the following:
Test Your Food Sensitivity
10685-B Hazelhurst Dr. #24329
Houston, TX 77043
USA
You should receive your results within 3-5 days from receiving your “sample received” email notification. If you haven’t received any correspondence from Simply Sensitivity Check then please check your email SPAM or JUNK folder as sometimes our emails can go into this area.
Please be aware that different methods of post can take different lead times to arrive.
How do I know you’ve received my sample?
As soon as our lab has received your hair sample we will send you a confirmation email. We aim to provide your results within 3-5 days of you receiving this email.
If you haven’t received any correspondence from Test Your Food Sensitivity then please check your email SPAM or JUNK folder as sometimes our emails can go into this area. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you feel it’s been longer than this as our support team can check the status of your order and resend if necessary.
What age is the youngest you would consider testing?
We do not test on children under the age of six. This is a company policy and one, which we have put in place for two reasons; first and foremost we feel it is essential that any symptoms being experienced by young children should be looked into and explored by a physician. Secondly the body, including the digestive system and immune system, of an infant or toddler is still going through rapid development and change.
Can I take the test if I’m pregnant?
Optimum nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding is vital for mother and child. To reduce any possible risk to the mother or baby, it is our protocol not to offer tests, advice or lifestyle changes during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding.
Are the tests painful?
No they are not painful at all.
My hair is very short. Can you still complete the tests?
Your hair does not have to come from your head. It can come from your leg, arm or even chest. Please do not provide pubic hair.
Do you have to cut the hair or pull it out?
You do not have to cut hair, it can be pulled out from the root.
Can I use hair from my hairbrush?
Yes, that will be fine as long at it is only you that uses it.
My hair is dyed, will this affect the result?
This will not have any effect on the results.
Results
I had a test by another provider but my results are different. Why is this?
Tests from different companies will often return different results. This is because in order to be able to accurately compare two tests it is imperative that everything remains exactly the same, including the type of test, the equipment used, the manufacturer of the test, the test protocol and the reporting ranges. If one variable is different tests are not comparable.
I have a known allergy but it hasn't appeared in my results
You may have a known allergy; so let’s help you to interpret sensitivity results to this item.
Scenario 1: The item you are allergic to shows as a moderate or high reactivity item. This means that as well as a food allergy you have food sensitivity. If you have already removed this item from your diet you do not need to take any action. If you have not removed it previously, it is worth considering doing so, however we would not recommend reintroduction following the elimination diet.
Scenario 2: The item you are allergic to shows as a no reactivity item. This means that you do not have food sensitivity to this item however the result does not question or contradict the presence of your food allergy to the item. It does NOT mean you should reintroduce the item to your diet, you should respect the symptoms or test results you have had previously with regards to allergy.
Remember this test does not test for allergy.
Everyday Foods
It is common for a food item consumed in the daily diet or very frequently, to test as a moderate or high sensitivity item. This can happen with food sensitivity and may be due to the body suddenly struggling to process or breakdown particular constituents of the food. This could be caused by overconsumption of a food group or could be down to an imbalance in gut bacteria or the presence of low-level inflammation in the gut.
Whatever the cause do not despair. We are talking about food sensitivity and NOT allergy; therefore completing a food elimination diet with subsequent reintroduction can help. This may mean you need to eliminate a favourite food or staple in your diet for a period of weeks but you will be able to reintroduce the
item. Eliminating food items for a period of time can allow the gut time to ‘rest’ from trigger foods and the reintroduction of items can allow you to assess how a food or food group makes you feel.
Gut Nourishment
In most cases carrying out an elimination diet is enough to improve symptoms and allow for a greater understanding of any foods, which aren’t agreeing with the body. It is also worth considering the nourishment of the digestive tract and addressing any gut bacteria imbalances to further improve gut function and reduce digestive symptoms.
I want to discuss my results with you. Is this possible?
Yes. Due to the sensitive nature of your results and our data protection policy you must be able to provide your name, email and redemption code to discuss your order so please have these ready. We can accept enquiries via email or live chat.
I want a refund what is your company policy?
We can only process refunds for customers who have paid directly through our website. For customers who have purchased directly on our website we offer a 100% moneyback guarantee. Please see our terms and conditions page for full information: https://www.testyourfoodsensitivity.com/usa/terms-and-conditions/
It's time to feel great again!
We believe that in providing you with your test results and relevant information in each section, your results can form the beginning of a journey, enabling you to make positive changes to your daily diet and environment.