Does a high IgG result mean I am allergic to that food?

No. Elevated IgG to a food indicates exposure and immune memory, not allergy or intolerance. Many healthy people have detectable IgG to foods they consume regularly without adverse effects. Correlation with symptoms requires a controlled elimination-reintroduction trial.

Why do some professional bodies not recommend IgG food testing?

EAACI, AAAAI, ACAAI, and CSACI state that food-specific IgG, particularly IgG4, is a marker of exposure rather than disease and does not predict adverse reactions. Positive results can lead to unnecessary dietary restriction and nutritional deficiency without clinical benefit.

Can this test diagnose coeliac disease or gluten intolerance?

No. Coeliac disease is diagnosed by tissue transglutaminase and endomysial IgA antibodies, confirmed by duodenal biopsy. Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity is a clinical diagnosis of exclusion and is not reliably detected by IgG or IgG4 testing to gluten.

How should I use the results of this panel?

Results are best used to structure an individualised elimination trial, removing high-reactivity foods for a defined period (typically four to six weeks) and then reintroducing them systematically while monitoring symptoms. Work with a dietitian to ensure nutritional adequacy during elimination.

Is fasting required before collecting the blood spot?

No. Food-specific IgG and IgG4 are relatively stable and do not require fasting. Collect the sample at a time convenient for the patient, following the kit instructions for finger-prick technique and drying.

Are the results comparable to other food sensitivity tests?

No. Different laboratories use different ELISA methods, antigens, and cut-off thresholds, so results from US BioTek are not interchangeable with results from other platforms. Serial monitoring should use the same laboratory.

How long does it take to get results?

Results are typically available seven to ten business days after the dried blood spot card is received at the US BioTek laboratory, though turnaround may be longer during peak periods.

BML-FSA-007food sensitivity allergyUSA

144 Food Panel: IgG/IgG4

The 144 Food Panel measures IgG and IgG4 antibodies to 144 common foods via dried blood spot. Offered in integrative settings to guide elimination trials for suspected non-IgE food reactions, though mainstream allergy and gastroenterology bodies do not endorse IgG as a validated marker of food intolerance, viewing it as a reflection of dietary exposure rather than pathology.

Biomarkers

Dried blood spot

Sample

7–10 business days

Turnaround

Fasting

What is the 144 Food Panel test?

The 144 Food Panel: IgG/IgG4 measures serum antibodies to a broad array of common dietary proteins, spanning dairy, grains, meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and spices. It is ordered in integrative and functional medicine settings as part of an exploration of non-IgE-mediated food reactions, chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, or systemic complaints attributed to diet. Practitioners who use this panel interpret elevated IgG or IgG4 titres as signals for individualised elimination-provocation trials, rather than as definitive diagnoses. The panel is not a substitute for validated food-allergy testing (specific IgE or oral challenge) and is not recommended by mainstream allergy, gastroenterology, or dietetic organisations, which regard detectable food-specific IgG as a marker of exposure, not pathology. Ordering decisions should weigh patient expectations, the evidence limitations, and the risk of unnecessary dietary restriction.

What does the 144 Food Panel test measure?

IgG(Food-Specific Immunoglobulin G)

Range: Results are reported as a semi-quantitative classification (negative, borderline, moderate, or high reactivity) for each of 144 foods, with assay-specific thresholds that are laboratory-defined rather than standardised across platforms.Optimal: No universally accepted optimal range exists. Results are interpreted in the clinical context of symptoms, dietary history, and response to elimination trials rather than as standalone diagnostic values.U/mL / Arbitrary Units

Immunoglobulin G is the most abundant circulating antibody isotype and represents exposure and immune memory. Food-specific IgG may be produced in response to dietary proteins that cross the intestinal barrier, and its presence reflects antigen exposure rather than a pathological immune response in most individuals. IgG to food is commonly detectable in healthy populations consuming those foods and does not indicate allergic sensitisation.

Food-specific IgG testing is offered in functional and integrative settings as part of individualised dietary evaluation. Mainstream allergy and gastroenterology bodies do not endorse IgG as a diagnostic marker of food allergy or intolerance, because detectable IgG is a normal consequence of eating and correlates with dietary habits rather than adverse reactions. Its clinical utility remains contested, and elimination diets based solely on IgG reactivity are not evidence-based standard of care.

IgG4(Food-Specific Immunoglobulin G Subclass 4)

Range: Reported as a semi-quantitative classification (negative, borderline, moderate, or high reactivity) for each tested food, using laboratory-defined thresholds.Optimal: No clinical optimal range is defined. Interpretation depends on symptoms, dietary patterns, and controlled food challenges rather than antibody titre alone.U/mL / Arbitrary Units

IgG4 is a minor IgG subclass induced by repeated or prolonged antigen exposure and is associated with tolerance mechanisms, particularly in the setting of allergen immunotherapy. Unlike IgE, IgG4 does not activate mast cells or complement effectively and is generally considered a marker of immune tolerance or modified Th2 response. Its presence to food antigens is common in individuals regularly consuming those foods.

IgG4 to foods is elevated in tolerance states and does not predict adverse reactions. Some practitioners interpret IgG4 reactivity as a marker of delayed hypersensitivity, but this hypothesis is not supported by controlled studies and is not recognised by mainstream allergy guidelines. IgG4 results should not be used to diagnose food allergy or guide elimination without corroborating clinical evidence.

Why is the 144 Food Panel test ordered?

Patients with chronic, unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms (bloating, altered bowel habit, discomfort) in whom coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and IgE-mediated allergy have been excluded
Individuals reporting perceived food intolerances or 'sensitivities' who request objective data to guide an elimination trial, with informed consent about the exploratory nature of the test
Functional-medicine evaluation of systemic complaints (fatigue, arthralgia, headache, skin symptoms) attributed to dietary triggers, where a structured food diary has not identified clear patterns
Patients seeking to personalise diet in wellness or performance contexts, acknowledging that results reflect exposure and must be validated by symptom response
Pre-elimination baseline assessment to structure a phased food reintroduction protocol, rather than as a standalone diagnostic endpoint
Monitoring of dietary compliance or immunological trends during supervised elimination-reintroduction programmes, where serial testing is part of a collaborative care plan

Sample collection and turnaround

Sample type

Dried blood spot

Fasting required

Collection method

Finger prick

Turnaround

7–10 business days

Collection notes

At-home finger-prick collection onto a filter-paper card supplied in the US BioTek kit. Patients lance the fingertip, apply drops to the designated circles, air-dry the card completely (usually 30 minutes at room temperature), and return it by mail in the prepaid envelope. Detailed instructions are provided with the kit; follow them precisely to ensure sample integrity.

Specimen requirements

Fully saturated dried blood spots on the collection card, air-dried and protected from heat and humidity during storage and transport. Incomplete or smudged spots may require recollection. Do not refrigerate or freeze the dried card before mailing.

What can affect 144 Food Panel results?

elevatesRecent dietary intake and food frequency

IgG and IgG4 titres reflect ongoing or recent consumption; foods eaten regularly produce higher antibody levels, so a high result may simply indicate a staple food rather than a pathological reaction.

elevatesIntestinal permeability and mucosal inflammation

Conditions that increase gut barrier permeability (inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, gastroenteritis) can allow more dietary antigens to reach the immune system, raising IgG titres without establishing causality for symptoms.

variableImmune deficiency or immunoglobulin dysregulation

Hypogammaglobulinaemia will lower all immunoglobulin measurements, while IgG4-related disease or atopy may skew IgG4 levels independently of food reactions.

variableCross-reactivity between homologous food proteins

Proteins with similar epitopes (e.g. tree pollens and stone fruits, or legumes and peanuts) can produce cross-reactive IgG, so a positive result may not indicate direct sensitisation to that specific food.

variableLaboratory method and cut-off thresholds

ELISA methods and reference ranges are laboratory-specific and not standardised; results from different platforms are not interchangeable, and switching labs mid-monitoring can produce apparent changes that are artefactual.

variableTiming of blood collection relative to food intake

Antibody levels are relatively stable over days to weeks, but acute fasting or recent large meals do not materially alter IgG or IgG4 titres in the short term; no fasting is required.

What do 144 Food Panel results mean?

Elevated

Elevated IgG or IgG4 to a food indicates immune exposure and memory to that antigen. It does not diagnose food allergy, intolerance, or a pathological reaction. In the absence of controlled challenge data, elevated antibodies should prompt an individualised elimination trial of the implicated foods, followed by supervised reintroduction to determine whether symptoms correlate. Positive results that do not correlate with clinical improvement on elimination are likely false-positive or incidental findings.

Normal

A 'negative' or low-reactivity profile across the panel suggests either a restricted diet, low antigen exposure, or an immune repertoire that does not generate high-titre food antibodies. It does not exclude food-related symptoms and should be interpreted alongside dietary history and symptom patterns.

Reduced

Low or absent IgG/IgG4 reactivity to a food suggests minimal recent exposure or immune response to that antigen. It does not rule out adverse reactions mediated by other pathways (IgE, T-cell, or non-immune mechanisms), and foods with low reactivity should not be considered 'safe' without clinical correlation.

Note: IgG and IgG4 to foods are not validated diagnostic biomarkers of food allergy or intolerance. Results must be contextualised with clinical history, structured elimination-reintroduction trials, and patient-reported outcomes. Do not use this panel as a standalone basis for long-term dietary restriction without corroborating evidence. Practitioners should provide informed consent about the exploratory and non-standard nature of the test, and consider referral to a registered dietitian for safe elimination protocols. Results are laboratory-method-dependent and not comparable across platforms.

Frequently asked questions

IgE mediates immediate allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, urticaria, and angioedema, while IgG reflects immune exposure and memory. IgE testing is validated for diagnosing food allergy; IgG testing is exploratory and not recommended by mainstream allergy guidelines, as positive IgG is common in healthy individuals eating those foods.

How to access the 144 Food Panel test

The 144 Food Panel reference page is free and open to all practitioners. Create a free practitioner account to see pricing, save tests to your list, and generate requisition forms. Verification takes 1–2 business days.

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About this page

Published: October 7, 2026

Last reviewed: October 7, 2026

References:

Stapel SO, et al. EAACI Task Force report: testing for IgG4 against foods is not recommended as a diagnostic tool. Allergy. (2008)
Carr S, et al. CSACI position statement on the testing of food-specific IgG. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. (2012)
Kelso JM, et al. Adverse reactions to foods. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology / American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Joint Task Force Practice Parameter. (2014)
Worm M, et al. Guidelines on diagnosis and management of IgE-mediated food allergies (EAACI guideline). (2015)

This content is for licensed healthcare practitioners only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should be based on the full clinical picture and not on any single test result.