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US BioTek Laboratories Ranks First in Swedish Analysis

By Zarah Öberg

Many medical practitioners are performing IgG food antibody testing, commonly known as food intolerance testing in Europe, on their patients. Such tests are done as an adjunct to testing for the body’s typically stronger IgE responses. At Kostkoll, we wanted to analyze the reproducibility of the various IgG testing methods available on the Swedish market.

In addition to reproducibility, we wanted to learn how consistent the results were between the different tests. Working with an independent therapist, we compiled a list of the five IgG food intolerance tests available on the Swedish market: Imupro, Scand Lab (Genova Diagnostics), Cambridge (Food Print), US BioTek Laboratories and York.

Imupro, Scand Lab and US BioTek Laboratories are Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments accredited (a federally regulated standard in the United States). Imupro has their laboratory in Germany, Scand Lab and US BioTek Laboratories are located in the United States, and Cambridge and York are in England.

All the tests are suitable for use in Europe (Scandinavia) when considering the selection of foods tested. Imupro, US BioTek Laboratories and York have contraindications (i.e., dietary avoidances or medications) for taking the tests. Both Imupro and Scand Lab can measure IgE. US BioTek can measure both IgA and IgE, but for the IgE testing a venous serum sample is required. Scand Lab and US BioTek Laboratories offer the most testing options.

Taking a Blood Sample

Our comparisons were conducted by sending two blood samples to each laboratory with the help of a nurse. To ensure the same conditions for each test, our participants did not ingest food or fluids between the different blood sample collections. Each blood sample was then sent in two differently named sets to each company. The laboratories we chose were not aware of our analysis of their procedures.

Taking the tests was very different from lab to lab. Scand Lab and Imupro required venous samples which needed to be taken in a laboratory. Imupro's test was easier on the patient because they required less serum than the Scand Lab tests. The samples for both labs had a shelf life of two days at room temperature, a few more if refrigerated, and indefinitely in the freezer. The time it takes to manage and evaluate these samples is short, and is very important to take into account if choosing one of these methods.

US BioTek Laboratories' test procedure involves a capillary sample. A small amount of blood is collected from a finger prick onto three small strips which are dried before being sent to the lab. This proved to be a very easy way of testing, for both the patient and the practitioner, and the lab guaranteed a sample shelf-life of at least three weeks.

Cambridge and York employed capillary sample collection methods, too, but their samples were taken using tubes. York claimed a shelf life of 28 days while Cambridge claimed three weeks. The York sample procedure seemed much easier for the patient and the practitioner to use compared to Cambridge's test, which required significantly more blood.

As for amount of time it took to receive the lab results, Imupro was the fastest at 1.5 weeks followed by US BioTek Laboratories at 2.5 weeks. Scand Lab results took 3 weeks to arrive, York’s took 4 weeks and Cambridge’s took 4.5 weeks. All of the reports arrived by e-mail and were easily printable, except for the Cambridge test results.

Reproducibility and Clarity

Regarding reproducibility, which is the main factor to consider with IgG testing, US BioTek Laboratories was the only test that was reproducible. It also seemed to be the most sensitive test.

Imupros’ tests differed a little, but it was hard to see where the limit was, which may be the problem with this method. The Scand Lab, Cambridge and York tests were not reproducible. The differences between their double blind samples were too great. What’s more remarkable was the fact that for, the Scand Lab, Cambridge and York tests, the food items identified on the first test were different than those identified on the second test.

The US BioTek Laboratories and Imupros test reports were the easiest to read for both the patient and the practitioner. US BioTek Laboratories featured a bar graph ranging from 0-6 with a corresponding color graph ranging from yellow to red. The Imupros report featured a colored bar graph with indication marks ranging from 0-4.

The Scand Lab, Cambridge and York reports were unclear for both the patient and practitioner. The Scand Lab tests were difficult to interpret due to the way the bar graph color and its corresponding numerical range of 0-4 were used together. The Cambridge and York reports were divided into a confusing three piece table colored green, yellow and red. Also, the Imupros and York reports were missing the laboratory names.

Dietary Tips?

Helping change an individual's eating habits is a big responsibility for a practitioner, and they should have the skills to take care of their patients in this regard. Four of the five IgG test labs offered support for medical practitioners with the lone exception being Cambridge.

Instead, Cambridge offered a brief, introductory seminar for their practitioners. Similarly, US BioTek Laboratories’ European Division offered a three-day seminar with more advanced training. York's test may be purchased online by interested patients, and the service comes with telephone advise, if the patient chooses not to go to a practitioner.

Included with the test reports, Imupro, US BioTek Laboratories and Scand Labs had proposals for rotation diets. US BioTek Laboratories’ European Division also referred patients and practitioners to recipe web sites while York sent a CD with recipes.

Summary

In conclusion, US BioTek Laboratories proved to be the best IgG testing lab. They provided the most reproducible results, and they were among the most affordable. It also proved to be the best of the five labs for the patient and practitioner due to the ease of the capillary blood draw.

Zarah Öberg is the editor of the Swedish health and lifestyle website, www.Kostkoll.se. To view the original Swedish version of her article, click here.

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