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Allergy Testing
in Henley & Reading
We are dedicated to helping you understand and manage your health. Allergies, intolerances, and auto-immune conditions can significantly impact your quality of life, but with accurate testing and diagnosis, you can take control.
Our private GP clinic offers a range of allergy testing services, including individual allergy blood tests and the advanced ALEX2 allergy test.
Understanding Allergies, Intolerances, and Auto-Immune Conditions
What Are Allergies?
Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a typically harmless substance, such as pollen, dust, or certain foods. This reaction can trigger symptoms like sneezing, itching, swelling, or in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
What Are Intolerances?
Food intolerances involve difficulty digesting certain foods, sometimes due to enzyme deficiencies or other non-immune-related factors. Common symptoms include bloating, stomach pain and diarrhoea, which typically occur hours after consuming the triggering food.
What Are Auto-Immune Conditions?
Auto-immune conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. An example is Coeliac disease, where the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten, causing damage to the small intestine. Symptoms can range from digestive issues to fatigue and nutritional deficiencies.
Diagnosing Allergies
Allergies can be diagnosed with blood tests. The ALEX2 allergy test is a state-of-the-art diagnostic tool that screens for around 300 allergens, including environmental allergens and food allergens. The ALEX2 test provides a comprehensive allergy profile, helping to pinpoint your triggers. We also offer individual allergy blood tests which measure specific IgE antibodies in your blood, indicating sensitivity to a particular allergen such as pollen, pet dander, or foods.
Diagnosing Intolerances
Intolerances are typically diagnosed through dietary elimination and challenge tests where suspected foods are removed and reintroduced to observe symptom changes. Genetic testing may be used to assess genetic predisposition to lactose intolerance.
Diagnosing Auto-Immune Conditions
Diagnosis of conditions like Coeliac disease involves a combination of blood tests for specific autoantibodies and, in some cases, an intestinal biopsy to confirm damage to the gut lining. Genetic testing may also be used to determine predisposition to conditions like Coeliac disease.
The ALEX2 Allergy Test: A Comprehensive Approach
The ALEX2 allergy test is an advanced, cutting-edge tool designed to provide a detailed understanding of your allergy profile. It evaluates around over 300 allergens, including:
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Environmental allergens such as different types of pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.
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Food allergens, including nuts, dairy, and seafood.
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Cross-reactive allergens, helping to identify complex reactions.
The test employs molecular-level analysis, offering precise results that can guide your treatment plan effectively.
Prices & Booking
We recommend scheduling a 30-minute GP consultation to discuss your symptoms and concerns. During this appointment, the doctor will assess your condition, recommend the most appropriate test, and collect the blood sample for testing. Test results are typically available within a few days.
If you already know the specific test you require, you can book a shorter blood test appointment.
Appointments
£150
Tests
Please note: the cost of the blood test is in addition to the appointment fee
£60 each
Book an appointment