I'm taking the York Food Intolerance Test - Should you try it too?
- Apr 25
- 4 min read
Updated: May 4
If you’ve been following my journey living with Meniere’s disease, you’ll know that food can be… a bit of a minefield.
I’ve always tried to eat as healthily as possible but I’m going to be honest with you, I definitely haven’t been sticking to that lately. I’m near the end of perimenopause and that has had a huge impact on my appetite. In fact, I’ve lost all interest in food and have just been eating when I need to. But the choices I’ve been making are the worst ones, especially with my existing chronic conditions.
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So instead of making myself a proper meal, it’s been easier to grab a chocolate bar. And as I’ve said before, I can’t just have one chocolate bar, once I have one I will crave another and another. And that will continue into the next day unless I go cold turkey.
So I decided to take the York food intolerance test again. I first took it in 2022 and found out that I am intolerant to cows milk, egg yolks and rye.
Lately I’ve been having symptoms that I believe are a result of eating foods that I am intolerant too.
Symptoms such as:
Runny nose about an hour after anything containing cows milk
Bloating
Indigestion
Headaches
So, how does the York food intolerance test work?
Unlike other food intolerance tests, York tests for all four types of IgG. These are antibodies that are major components of the immune system. As your gut is responsible for up to 70% of your immune system, by reducing the amount of foods or other allergens from your diet, this can help to support your gut health.
Using a finger prick blood sample which is sent to their laboratory, the York food intolerance test checks for intolerance to 200 food and drink ingredients.
Getting ready to take the test
I took everything out of the box and had a proper look through the instructions that are sent with the York food intolerance test.
The first step is to register your test on the wellnesshub@yorktest.com and enter the 8-digit code from the plastic blood tube.
How to prep for the sample
Next, the instructions tell you to drink a glass of water 30 minutes before then:
Swing your arms in a circular motion
Clench and relax your hands a few times
Make sure your hands are warm
For once… my hands actually were warm (which never normally happens 😅).
Then I wiped my ring finger (your fourth finger) with the antibacterial wipe they provide.
How to take the finger-prick blood sample
It’s actually really easy. I removed the absorbent wand from its little container, then moved on to the lancet (they provide two).
You twist the yellow top off, then rest your finger on a firm surface, and press down on the end of the lancet. It pierces a tiny amount into your finger and honestly, doesn’t hurt.
Then as instructed, I stood up, held my hand down, and gently massaged my finger towards the prick (but you’re told not to squeeze it).
Then comes the slightly tricky part, filling the wand with blood.
The aim is to fill it completely. It actually took me two attempts. I ended up using both lancets, and my finger was still bleeding a tiny bit afterwards. They provide a small plaster for this reason so I popped that on my finger.
This part can take a bit of time but it’s not to be rushed. It’s really important not to squeeze your finger to get the blood out, so patience is essential when completing the York food intolerance test.
What happens once you have the sample?
Once the wand was completely full, I popped it back into the long test tube.
Then on the label outside of the tube, I filled in my details:
Date of birth
Sex
Date and time of the sample
After that, it’s just a case of putting everything into the envelope and popping it in the post box to return your York food intolerance test.
What are the next steps?
That’s it. Done.
Now it’s a waiting game, not for long though. I heard back in 24 hours that they had received my sample and they aim to get the results back within 7 days.
I’m really hoping this gives me some clear answers - because when you’re living with Meniere’s disease, what you eat can make such a difference to how you feel day to day.
And if I’m honest… I think I already know what’s coming!
But it’s time to stop guessing and actually know. And I’ll be sharing the results as soon as I get them!
So, where can you get the York food intolerance test from?
If you'd like to try the test for yourself, York currently have 30% off ALL tests! Read about the York Premium Food Intolerance Test here and get started on eliminating unwanted symptoms too.
And as always, you should speak to your doctor before stopping or changing any medication you’ve been prescribed or start any kind of exercise regime.
Health Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and based on personal experience. It does not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, medications, or treatment plan.
Tags: york food intolerance test | york intolerance test | york test intolerance | york premium food intolerance test
Hi, I’m Sally. I share simple ways to calm the nervous system and live more gently, shaped by my own experience living with menieres and TMJ disorder. I hope my journey helps you feel supported on yours.
