Who should take this test?

Food Allergies:

• Immediate onset; symptoms appear within minutes to hours after consuming the food
• Allergies are typically permanent
• Triggers the release of histamine, a chemical that causes allergic symptoms
• Involves a specific type of antibody called IgE (not measured in the Food Sensitivity Test)
• Usually diagnosed through skin prick testing or IgE blood testing by an allergist
• Symptoms include hives, a stuffy or itchy nose, sneezing, itchy and teary eyes, vomiting, stomach cramps or diarrhea, swelling, shortness of breath or wheezing, and in severe cases, life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Food Sensitivities:

• Delayed onset; symptoms may take hours to days to appear after consuming the food
• Sensitivities are usually temporary
• Does not trigger histamine release
• Involves a different type of antibody called IgG (measured in the Food Sensitivity Test)
• Symptoms can include gastrointestinal issues, such as bloating, diarrhea, and indigestion, as well as headaches, joint aches, skin rashes, fatigue, behavioral problems, and autoimmune disease.

Sometimes, you might notice foods on a test that you haven't consumed. There are a few reasons why this can happen:

1. Hidden Ingredients: It's possible that you unknowingly consumed the food as a hidden ingredient. For instance, when you eat out at a restaurant, certain dishes may contain ingredients that you are unaware of. For example, you could have a reaction to seafood even if you don't directly eat fish or shellfish because some restaurants use fish or oyster sauce in their cooking. Another example is gluten added to turkey breast in commercial luncheon meats. Hidden ingredients can be found in various foods, so it's important to read labels and ask questions at restaurants. You can refer to our elimination diet guide, which provides information on hidden sources of certain foods and helps you identify if you have recently consumed that food.
2. Cross Contamination: Cross contamination can occur in food manufacturing plants and restaurants, causing you to react to foods you haven't eaten. Food labels may indicate that a product was "manufactured on equipment that processes products containing [specific food]." This means that trace amounts of that specific food could be present in the product, even if it's not listed as an ingredient.
3. Cross-Reactions: Sometimes, your immune system sees proteins in different foods or plants within the same family as the same, leading to cross-reactions. For example, if you don't eat cucumbers but they show up on your test, it could be because you recently consumed a food from the gourd/melon family, such as cantaloupe. Cucumbers and cantaloupes share similar proteins because they belong to the same family. Work with a healthcare provider to better understand cross-reactions and how to make necessary dietary changes.

Important: Food allergies can have a range of symptoms, including life-threatening anaphylaxis. If you have a known IgE-mediated food allergy, Genova DOES NOT recommend exposure to the food that may cause a reaction.

When testing for food sensitivities, it is suggested to eat a variety of foods for 2-3 weeks prior to testing (except for foods that are known to cause severe reactions). Doing so will help to ensure the presence of food antibodies in the blood to any problematic foods. IgG antibodies are expected to circulate in the blood for around 3 months. If you have not consumed the food prior to testing, no reaction to that food would be expected because there would be no circulating antibodies in the blood to measure.

Educational resources are included on the product page for your test when available.

For additional help understanding your results, you can schedule time with a Cynergy provider (for an additional cost) using the link provided when your results are released. You can also consult your own healthcare provider, or find a physician to help you understand your results and work with you to build a health plan.

It is your responsibility to ask your doctor what your test results mean. Genova Connect urges you to always share the test results with your doctor in order to make the best decisions for your health.

While our profiles are eligible for FSA/HSA funds, traditional health insurance can not be used to complete your purchase. Accepted forms of payment include Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express.

Typically, result are available 7-17 days after being received by our lab. However, some gut testing methodologies can take up to 27 days to complete.

The $15 physician fee is collected on behalf of a third-party healthcare practitioner (Cynergy Wellness) that will provide independent physician oversight of lab ordering and testing. This fee makes it possible to order testing without having to schedule an appointment with your physician first.

The fee does not cover any physician follow-up services. The physician fee is non-refundable. Learn more about Cynergy Wellness' services by reviewing the Terms and Conditions and Refund Policy.