YorkTest

Yorktest is a company that provides home-to-laboratory testing services for food intolerances, food allergies, and general health markers. They have over 40 years of experience in the industry.

Here's a breakdown of what Yorktest offers and related information:

1. What they test for:

• Food Intolerance: Yorktest primarily focuses on food intolerance testing, which measures IgG antibody reactions to foods. They differentiate this from true food allergies (IgE reactions), lactose intolerance, and celiac disease. Their food intolerance tests analyze reactions to hundreds of food and drink ingredients. They measure all four subtypes of food-specific IgG (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4) to detect various reactions.
• Food Allergy: They also offer tests for food allergies (IgE antibodies) and environmental allergens (e.g., pet dander, pollen).
• General Health Markers: Yorktest provides various health checks, including tests for cholesterol, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, iron deficiency, liver function, menopause, thyroid, female fertility, inflammation (CRP), and stress (cortisol).

2. How it works:

• Customers receive a home test kit, typically involving a simple finger-prick blood sample.
• The sample is collected on an absorbent wand and sent back to their laboratory in a prepaid envelope.
• Results are usually available online within 7 days.
• Results are often presented in a "traffic light" system (red for high reactivity, amber for borderline, green for normal).
• Many of their tests include a complimentary 30-minute consultation with a Nutritional Therapist to help interpret results and provide dietary guidance (e.g., elimination diets, alternative food choices).

3. Scientific Basis and Accuracy:

• Yorktest states they have over 40 years of scientific expertise and their own ISO13485 audited and certified manufacturing and testing laboratory.
• They claim a reproducibility rate of over 98% for their food intolerance tests and over 99% for their allergy tests, aiming for accuracy comparable to NHS-used IgE allergy tests.
• They conduct clinical trials and independent research into the effects of food intolerance, particularly concerning IBS, sports performance, mental health, and weight management.
• Important Note on IgG Testing: It's crucial to understand that while Yorktest provides laboratory results for IgG antibody reactions, the broader scientific and medical community has varying views on the direct correlation between elevated food-specific IgG levels and food intolerance symptoms. Some experts argue that IgG antibodies are a normal immune response to food exposure and not necessarily an indicator of intolerance. Yorktest acknowledges that the link between raised food-specific IgG levels, gut health, and specific symptoms is not fully understood, which is why they emphasize the importance of the Nutritional Therapist consultation to guide an elimination diet. They explicitly state their tests are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, nor can they diagnose, treat, or cure medical conditions.

4. Customer Reviews and Impact:

• Many customers report positive experiences, finding the tests helpful in identifying potential trigger foods and improving symptoms like bloating, IBS, fatigue, migraines, and skin problems.
• Testimonials on their website and independent reviews often highlight the ease of the home testing process and the helpfulness of the accompanying nutritional consultations.
• A survey cited by Yorktest indicates that 82% of their customers reported a positive impact on their health and well-being.

In summary, Yorktest offers a range of at-home blood tests, primarily focusing on food intolerance via IgG antibody measurement, but also including food allergy and general health checks. While many users report benefits from using their services, it's important to be aware of the ongoing scientific discussions around the interpretation of IgG food sensitivity tests and to view the results as a starting point for dietary exploration with professional guidance, rather than a definitive diagnosis.