Concierge food intolerance testing · London
Private food intolerance testing in London, a candid look at what these tests can — and can’t — show.
A candid, evidence-based approach — coeliac testing, hydrogen breath tests, and dietitian-led elimination protocols. Not just an IgG panel with a pretty PDF.
Why patients choose us
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A consultant allergist or dietitian, not a lab printout
You get a specialist who reads results against your symptom history — because a raised IgG is not the same as an intolerance.
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The right test for the question
Coeliac panel, hydrogen breath test, skin-prick or a dietitian-led elimination diet — we recommend what actually helps you.
- 03
Candid about the evidence
BSACI-registered allergists and HCPC-registered dietitians who will tell you plainly which tests work — and which do not.
Indicative pricing
What private food intolerance testing costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner allergists, dietitians and laboratories. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Coeliac screen and hydrogen breath test: £80–£400, with results same-day to a week.
| Test or panel | Indicative range | Appointment time | Results turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| IgG food-panel test (commercial) | £150–£350 | 15 min | 7–10 days |
| Coeliac screen (anti-tTG + IgA) | £80–£180 | 5 min | 3–5 days |
| Hydrogen breath test (lactose/fructose) | £200–£400 | 3–4 hrs | Same-day |
| Dietitian-led elimination diet programme | £400–£900 | 4–8 weeks | Programme |
| Allergy skin-prick testing | £250–£500 | 45 min | Same visit |
| Comprehensive dietitian + specialist consult | £500–£1,100 | 90 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic and lab, whether a dietitian programme is included, and whether allergy work-up is added. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A pretty PDF is not a diagnosis.
Direct-to-consumer IgG food panels sell certainty they cannot deliver. Cutting out foods on the strength of one is how people end up on restrictive diets that make things worse. This is why a candid specialist matters.
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Not sure which test?
Coeliac, breath test, allergy work-up or an elimination diet — we recommend what actually answers your question.
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Bought an IgG panel already?
Bring it. We will read it against your symptoms honestly and tell you which findings are worth acting on.
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Symptoms but nothing found?
A structured food and symptom diary with a dietitian usually beats another round of panels.
The journey
From enquiry to a written plan — what happens, in order.
One specialist from first message to management plan — usually within one to two weeks, with any dietitian programme running for 4–8 weeks after.
Phase 1 · Before your test
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Consultation and test
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us the story
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, timing, foods, prior tests and what you want to understand.
- 02
Before
We recommend the right test
Within one working day: coeliac screen, hydrogen breath test, allergy work-up or a dietitian-led elimination plan — with a firm quote.
- 03
Before
We book you in
Allergist or dietitian appointment, often same or next week. We tell you what to eat, what to stop and when.
- 04
On the day
History, examination, testing
A full history and the chosen test — coeliac bloods, hydrogen breath test, skin-prick or a structured elimination plan.
- 05
On the day
Results interpreted in context
Breath test results the same day; bloods follow later. Interpretation is against your symptoms, not in isolation.
- 06
After
Written plan
A candid, evidence-based plan — elimination and reintroduction steps, nutrient safeguards, and what to eat.
- 07
After
Next steps arranged
Gastroenterology, dermatology or paediatric referral where needed — and follow-up with your dietitian.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks to plan; 4–8 weeks for a full dietitian programme.
What it shows
Match the right test to the right symptom.
These are the symptoms people come to us with. Each one calls for a different test — or, sometimes, no test at all.
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Bloating
Persistent post-meal bloating that limits what you eat or how you feel afterwards.
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Excess gas
Wind, cramping and abdominal discomfort — often food-timed, often FODMAP-driven.
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Skin rash
Hives, itch or eczema flares that seem to track with meals — allergy vs intolerance matters here.
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Headache pattern
Recurrent headaches with a suspected food trigger — a symptom diary usually beats a panel.
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Post-meal fatigue
Heavy tiredness after certain meals — worth testing for coeliac and reviewing the diet.
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Reflux linked to meals
Reflux, burping or upper abdominal burning that fits particular foods or portion sizes.
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Coeliac symptoms
Weight change, anaemia, bowel change or family history — a coeliac panel is essential before cutting gluten.
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Red flag
Weight loss, blood in stool, night sweats — urgent GP review (this is NOT intolerance).
Test types
The tests our specialists arrange most.
What each option is actually for — and where the evidence sits.
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Commercial IgG food panel (limited evidence — read carefully)
A common direct-to-consumer test. Major allergy societies (BSACI, EAACI) advise against using it to diagnose intolerance — IgG usually reflects exposure, not intolerance.
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Coeliac screen (evidence-based)
Anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) with total IgA. The right first step — and it must be done while you are still eating gluten.
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Hydrogen breath test lactose/fructose
The reference test for lactose and fructose malabsorption — a half-day, evidence-based investigation with immediate results.
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Skin-prick allergy testing
For a true IgE food allergy (hives, swelling, anaphylaxis) — a completely different problem to intolerance, tested by an allergist.
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Dietitian-led elimination diet
A structured elimination and reintroduction protocol, run by an HCPC-registered dietitian — the clinical gold standard for suspected intolerance.
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Symptom diary + FODMAP protocol
A three-phase low-FODMAP diet with a dietitian — proven for IBS-type symptoms and far more useful than any panel.
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Specialist consultation
A consultant allergist or gastroenterologist review where the picture is complex, results conflict, or a red flag appears.
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GP-led work-up first
Basic bloods (FBC, ferritin, coeliac, thyroid, CRP) with your GP are often the fastest, cheapest first step — we say so honestly.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of allergists, dietitians and labs, we picked them.
BSACI-registered allergists, HCPC-registered dietitians and UKAS-accredited labs across central London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every specialist and laboratory in our network.
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BSACI-registered consultant allergists
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HCPC-registered dietitians experienced in FODMAP and elimination protocols
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UKAS-accredited laboratories for coeliac and immunology tests
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Candid consultations about which tests have evidence — and which do not
Preparation and practicalities
Safe, but preparation matters.
Food intolerance work-up is safe when done properly — but preparation, timing and interpretation can all change the result. We tell you exactly what to do.
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IgG tests are not proven to diagnose intolerance
Major allergy societies (BSACI, EAACI) advise against IgG food panels for diagnosing intolerance — a raised IgG usually reflects exposure, not disease.
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True food allergy shows on IgE tests
If you get hives, swelling or breathing symptoms after food, that is an IgE-mediated allergy — tested by skin-prick or specific IgE, not IgG.
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Lactose intolerance is real
Lactose intolerance is a genuine, common condition. The hydrogen breath test is the reference investigation — accurate, evidence-based and same-day.
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Rule out coeliac before eliminating gluten
Coeliac disease must be tested for while you are still eating gluten. Cutting gluten first can invalidate the blood test for months.
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Restrictive diets can miss nutrients
Long, unsupervised elimination diets can cause iron, calcium, B12 and fibre deficiencies. Always work with a dietitian for anything beyond a short trial.
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Pregnancy
Do not eliminate whole food groups in pregnancy without a dietitian — nutrient needs are higher and the stakes are higher for both of you.
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Children
Children should always be assessed by a paediatric allergist or paediatric dietitian — never by a direct-to-consumer IgG panel.
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Symptom diaries beat panels
A structured 2–4 week food and symptom diary with a dietitian consistently outperforms any commercial panel for identifying triggers.
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Always share prior test results
Previous bloods, endoscopy or allergy tests save you time and money — bring them so we do not repeat what has already been done.
Reading your report
A page of red bars can look alarming. Context changes everything.
However big the panel, the report follows the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
A raised IgG is not an intolerance — the story matters more than the number.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Your details, symptoms and prior investigations
Symptoms, timing, foods, previous bloods or endoscopy, and the questions the test was set up to answer.
- 02 Technique
Which tests were done — with evidence caveats
The tests performed (coeliac panel, breath test, skin-prick, elimination plan) — and a plain note on the evidence behind each.
- 03 Findings
Results with candid interpretation
Every result explained — including which findings change the plan, and which are noise from a panel that overpromises.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Likely cause, a structured elimination and reintroduction plan, nutrient safeguards, and any red flags addressed.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Dietitian and allergist consultations are often covered when medically indicated and pre-authorised; direct-access screening is often self-funded. We confirm cover with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about food intolerance testing.
Quick, candid answers on IgG panels, coeliac testing, breath tests, FODMAP, cost, children and when to see a GP urgently.
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Are IgG food-intolerance tests reliable?
No — not for diagnosing intolerance. The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) both advise against commercial IgG food panels for this purpose. A raised IgG usually just means you eat that food regularly, not that it is causing your symptoms. A dietitian-led elimination diet and a symptom diary give far better answers.
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What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?
Food allergy is an immune (IgE) reaction — hives, swelling, breathing symptoms, sometimes anaphylaxis — and is tested by skin-prick or specific IgE. Food intolerance is a non-immune reaction (lactose, FODMAPs, additives) that causes bloating, wind or discomfort but not anaphylaxis. They are different problems with different tests.
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Should I be tested for coeliac disease?
Yes, if you have gut symptoms, unexplained anaemia, weight change or a family history. The first-line test is anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) with total IgA. It must be done while you are still eating gluten — cutting gluten first can make the test falsely negative for months.
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What is a hydrogen breath test?
A half-day, evidence-based test for lactose or fructose malabsorption. You drink a measured sugar solution and breath samples are taken every 20–30 minutes for 3–4 hours. It is the reference investigation for these conditions and gives same-day results.
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What is the low-FODMAP diet?
A three-phase dietary protocol (elimination, reintroduction, personalisation) developed at Monash University and endorsed by the British Dietetic Association for IBS-type symptoms. It should be run by an HCPC-registered dietitian — the reintroduction phase is where the value is, and DIY versions often stall in elimination.
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How much does private food intolerance testing cost in London?
A coeliac screen is £80–£180. A hydrogen breath test is £200–£400. A commercial IgG panel is £150–£350 (though we will tell you honestly if it is worth doing). A full dietitian-led elimination programme is £400–£900. Prices vary by clinic and lab.
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Do I need a referral?
Most private allergists and dietitians accept self-referral. For complex cases, or where insurance is involved, a GP letter helps. We can arrange a fast-track private GP if you need one.
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How quickly do I get results?
Hydrogen breath tests are same-day. Coeliac bloods take 3–5 days. IgG panels take 7–10 days. A dietitian-led elimination programme runs over 4–8 weeks — because that is how long a structured reintroduction actually takes.
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What about children?
Children must be assessed by a paediatric allergist or paediatric dietitian — not a direct-to-consumer IgG test. Growth and nutrition are the priority, and restrictive diets in childhood need close supervision.
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When should I see a GP urgently?
Weight loss, blood in the stool, night sweats, difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting, or symptoms that wake you at night are red flags. These need urgent GP review — they are not food intolerance and should not wait for a lifestyle test.
Related
Looking for something else?
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Allergy testing
Skin prick, specific IgE and component-resolved diagnostics.
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Coeliac blood panel
The evidence-based first-line test for coeliac disease.
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Hydrogen breath test
The reference test for lactose and fructose malabsorption.
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All tests & procedures
Every scan, test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more