As you may know if you follow my blog, I am allergic to wheat. As an adult, it's not very common as wheat allergies tend to be something babies and toddlers suffer from, but outgrow. Back when I first considered wheat as a source of GI discomfort, I was met with incredulous looks from doctors because wheat allergies just aren't something adults typically suffer from in general.
I can't tell you how many dismissive looks or sighs and conversation changes from providers I had while trying to gauge what could be causing my symptoms, other than a major staple food product found in just about anything manufactured or processed. In the end, I finally went to an allergist without a referral from my PCP because I just needed to know if it was wheat in addition to the suspected cat and other environmental allergies. If I could have at the time, I would have done an at-home test on my own instead of trying to decide if paying for a specialist was worth the cost and long drive (not to mention whether or not I wanted dozens of skin scratches on my back...) How I wished MyAllergyTest by ImmuneTech was available over the counter back then!
I wondered if an at-home allergy test could pick up on the 10 most prevalent allergies, so I approached a PR company and asked if I might try this product. Checking out the list below, I have had allergy testing at an allergist's office and I know that I have several of them. I am awaiting my results to compare, so be sure to come back to see how the test fared!
Would MyAllergyTest be easy to use? I must admit, I was a little apprehensive. The kit came with two one-use lancets to use to draw blood, which you would then collect via an easily attached plastic funnel onto a collection tube. It also came with labels, a pre-paid envelope to send my sample, an alcohol swab, and a detailed instruction booklet.My experience
I am not a gusher type of bleeder, so it was a little bit of work to get enough blood up to the bottom of the label on the collection tube. Make sure your hands are warm and you hang your arm down, like the instruction booklet suggests. Cold hands don't let go of blood easily! So I would not attempt to use the test in a cold, air-conditioned room. I did ask my husband to help me with collection, since he was better at directing blood flow to the prick site.
About the prick.... it really wasn't that bad! I've had bigger lancets poking my finger at the doctor's office. The site that was pricked was very small and it wasn't painful to prick. I had anticipated it hurting much worse and I barely felt it. So no worries! You do need to work quickly to obtain the sample since your body is designed to clot cuts after injury. We are talking 5-6 good, big beads of blood. Not a whole tube like you might think of when your doctor takes blood for testing.
After the sample was collected, it was easy to shove in the biohazard bag and ultimately into the mail. Since it's postage paid, I didn't have to wait at a window at the post office. Easy Peasy!
Where to get MyAllergyTest
MyAllergy Test is available at Walmart, Meijer, and Walgreens and costs approximately $49.95 and is eligible for reimbursement under a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Savings Account (HSA). This is an inclusive price -- you'll receive results, postage paid envelope to mail your blood to the lab, and an allergy plan that's personal to you and your allergies (if any).
Do give them a few weeks to get your results to you. Allow time for mail (my pre-paid envelope went to California) and time to perform the lab tests. They will email you with results if you checked that option on your information card that goes with the vial of blood.
Learn more about ImmuneTech's MyAllergy Test by visiting their website: https://www.myallergytest.net/
Disclosure: I received a MyAllergyTest free of charge for the purpose of review. Though the item was free to me, my opinions are my own. I was provided with information and infographics to facilitate this blog post.
I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. I share this product information with my readers knowing that many like to be pro-active with their health care. As always, if you have any health concerns, consult your doctor.
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