Food Intolerance Testing
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Understand Your Body’s Hidden Triggers
Persistent bloating, fatigue, skin irritation, headaches, or digestive discomfort can sometimes be linked to specific foods or environmental triggers. Pearl Chemist Group has partnered with Back to Balance to offer a comprehensive allergy and intolerance testing service — helping you start identifying patterns between what you’re exposed to and how you feel.
What is Food Intolerance Testing?
A food intolerance is your body’s difficulty properly digesting certain foods — such as dairy or gluten — which can lead to symptoms like bloating, headaches, or fatigue. This is different from a food allergy, which involves the immune system and can cause more serious reactions such as swelling, rashes, or, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.1
Our Partnership with Back to Balance
Back to Balance is a specialist testing provider, working with academic partners including the University of Roehampton and the University of Exeter. Through this partnership, Pearl Chemist Group offers access to their Allergy and Intolerance Test, which screens for reactions to over 200 food and environmental items, including:2
Dairy, Eggs & Gluten Grains
Meat, Fish & Vegetables
Nuts, Seeds & Fruits
Pollen, Dust & Grasses
Chemicals & Household Triggers
Pets & Animals
How It Works
Quick Testing
A simple 5-minute finger-prick or saliva swab sample, taken at your branch appointment.
Lab Analysis
Your sample is sent to the Back to Balance lab for comprehensive analysis.
In-Depth Report
You receive a detailed report by email outlining your results within five working days.
Online Consultation
Book a one-to-one consultation with a registered nutritionist, who will talk you through your results and help build a personalised plan.
For those wanting to track progress, Back to Balance also recommends re-testing after three months to help evaluate how dietary changes have made a difference.2
What You Should Know Before Testing
We want you to make an informed choice. This testing measures how your body responds to a wide panel of foods and environmental substances, and is intended as a starting point for exploring possible patterns between your symptoms and your diet — not a stand-alone medical diagnosis.
If you suspect a true food allergy — which can cause serious or life-threatening reactions — please speak to your GP, as allergies require proper clinical diagnosis and should not be assessed through intolerance testing alone.1
We’d always recommend discussing your results, and any significant dietary changes, with a healthcare professional — which is exactly why a nutritionist consultation is included as part of this service.
How to Get Tested
This service is available by in-branch appointment only. Simply book a time at one of our participating branches to provide your sample.
While Pearl Chemist Group has branches in Banstead, Byfleet, Cannon Hill, Cobham, Earlsfield, Epsom, London, Merton, Mitcham, Morden, Northcote Road, Streatham, Tolworth, Tooting, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, and Kingston upon Thames across South London and Surrey, food intolerance and allergy testing is only offered at the branches listed below.
Which Branches Offer This Service?
Pearl Chemist Group branches offering food intolerance and allergy testing are:
- Haria Pharmacy
- Pearl Chemist Cobham
- Wimbledon Pharmacy
- Pearl Chemist Tooting
- Northcote Pharmacy
- Barrons Chemist
- Earlsfield Pharmacy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between food allergies and food intolerances?
Food allergies involve the immune system and can cause more serious, sometimes life-threatening reactions. Food intolerances typically cause digestive discomfort, such as bloating or fatigue, and do not involve this type of immune response.1<
What’s included in the service?
Your test covers 200+ food and environmental items, a detailed results report, and a one-to-one consultation with a registered nutritionist through our partner, Back to Balance.3
Do I need to change my diet before testing?
No — for the most accurate results, continue eating your normal diet so the test can detect your body’s current responses.2
Can children be tested?
We recommend speaking to your GP before testing children, particularly if you have any concerns about their growth, nutrition, or a suspected food allergy.
How long does it take to get results?
Results are typically available within five working days of your sample reaching the lab.
Should I retest?
Back to Balance recommends retesting after three months for those who want to track how dietary changes have affected their results.
Book Your Test
Disclaimer: This service is delivered in partnership with Back to Balance. This testing is intended to support your own exploration of possible food and environmental triggers and is not a substitute for clinical diagnosis. If you suspect a food allergy, please consult your GP.
References
- 1. NHS. Food intolerance. nhs.uk/conditions/food-intolerance
- 2. Back to Balance. Allergy and Intolerance Test Kit — How it works. backtobalancetest.com/blogs/recipe-1/allergy-and-intolerance-test-kit-how-it-works
What is Food Intolerance Testing?
Food intolerance testing identifies specific foods that cause discomfort or adverse reactions in your body. This testing helps determine which foods you struggle to digest or metabolise, leading to symptoms like bloating and headaches, without involving the immune system like food allergies do.
What are the Common Conditions Identified by Food Intolerance Testing?
Common issues found through food intolerance testing include lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, and reactions to food additives like sulfites or MSG. Sometimes, you might react to certain carbohydrates, proteins, or chemicals in foods, leading to gas, diarrhoea, or fatigue. Knowing what foods cause these problems can greatly improve your life.
What are the Benefits of Food Intolerance Testing?
Food intolerance testing gives you many benefits. It helps you make smart choices about what you eat, which can stop those chronic symptoms and make you feel better overall. Also, by avoiding foods that upset your stomach, you can improve your digestive health and avoid misdiagnosed health issues.
Expert FoodIntolerance Testingat PCG
How to Get Food Intolerance Tested?
You can get tested for food intolerances in two ways:
- Collection from Your Location: Contact us and we will arrange to collect your test samples from home.
- Book an Appointment: You can book an appointment to provide your test samples at one of our branches listed below.
What to Expect During Your Food Intolerance Testing Appointment?
At your appointment, you can choose how to get tested:
Which Pearl Chemist Group Branches Offer This Service?
Pearl Chemist Group offers food intolerance testing at several convenient locations. You can visit us at any of the following branches:
- Abbey Pharmacy
- Rogers Pharmacy
- Barrons Chemist
- Barkers Chemist
- C Bradbury Chemist
- C E Harrod
- Dumlers Pharmacy
- Earlsfield Pharmacy
- Fairoak Pharmacy
- Haria Pharmacy
- Harland Chemist
- Lords Pharmacy Merton
- Lords Pharmacy Tooting
- Nelson Pharmacy
- Northcote Pharmacy
- Pearl Chemist Banstead
- Pearl Chemist Byfleet
- Pearl Chemist Cobham
- Pearl Chemist Epsom
- Pearl Chemist Tolworth
- Pearl Chemist Tooting
- Wandsworth Pharmacy
- Wimbledon Pharmacy
- WJ Boyes Pharmacy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between food allergies and food intolerances?
Food allergies involve the immune system and can cause severe reactions, whereas food intolerances usually result in digestive issues without immune involvement.
How accurate is food intolerance testing?
Food intolerance testing is highly accurate when conducted under proper medical supervision and with reliable methods such as blood or saliva tests.
Can children be tested for food intolerances?
Yes, children of all ages can be tested for food intolerances. Early identification can help improve their dietary habits and overall health.
How long does it take to get results from food intolerance testing?
Results are typically available within five working days, allowing for quick and effective dietary adjustments.
Can food intolerance testing help with weight management?
Identifying and eliminating foods that your body cannot tolerate can improve metabolic processes and digestive health, potentially aiding in weight management.
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- Pharmacy Service
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- Accurate and Fast Intolerance Testing Services
Accurate and Fast Intolerance Testing Services
What is Food Intolerance Testing?
Food intolerance testing identifies specific foods that cause discomfort or adverse reactions in your body. This testing helps determine which foods you struggle to digest or metabolise, leading to symptoms like bloating and headaches, without involving the immune system like food allergies do.
What are the Common Conditions Identified by Food Intolerance Testing?
Common issues found through food intolerance testing include lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, and reactions to food additives like sulfites or MSG. Sometimes, you might react to certain carbohydrates, proteins, or chemicals in foods, leading to gas, diarrhoea, or fatigue. Knowing what foods cause these problems can greatly improve your life.
Expert Food
Intolerance Testing
at PCG
What are the Benefits of Food Intolerance Testing?
Food intolerance testing gives you many benefits. It helps you make smart choices about what you eat, which can stop those chronic symptoms and make you feel better overall. Also, by avoiding foods that upset your stomach, you can improve your digestive health and avoid misdiagnosed health issues.
How to Get Food Intolerance Tested?
You can get tested for food intolerances in two ways:
- Collection from Your Location: Contact us and we will arrange to collect your test samples from home.
- Book an Appointment: You can book an appointment to provide your test samples at one of our branches listed below.
What to Expect During Your Food Intolerance Testing Appointment?
At your appointment, you can choose how to get tested:
Saliva
One of our trained pharmacists will take a quick saliva swab and will return the test results to you within five working days.
Blood
Let one of our trained pharmacists administer a pinprick test, with results back in five working days or less (you can also conduct your own test at home if you wish).
Customer Experiences That Speak for Themselves
Which Pearl Chemist Group Branches Offer This Service?
Pearl Chemist Group offers food intolerance testing at several convenient locations. You can visit us at any of the following branches:
- Abbey Pharmacy
- Rogers Pharmacy
- Barrons Chemist
- Barkers Chemist
- C Bradbury Chemist
- C E Harrod
- Dumlers Pharmacy
- Earlsfield Pharmacy
- Fairoak Pharmacy
- Haria Pharmacy
- Harland Chemist
- Lords Pharmacy Merton
- Lords Pharmacy Tooting
- Nelson Pharmacy
- Northcote Pharmacy
- Pearl Chemist Banstead
- Pearl Chemist Byfleet
- Pearl Chemist Cobham
- Pearl Chemist Epsom
- Pearl Chemist Tolworth
- Pearl Chemist Tooting
- Wandsworth Pharmacy
- Wimbledon Pharmacy
- WJ Boyes Pharmacy
Frequently Asked Questions:
A: Food allergies involve the immune system and can cause severe reactions, whereas food intolerances usually result in digestive issues without immune involvement.
A: Food intolerance testing is highly accurate when conducted under proper medical supervision and with reliable methods such as blood or saliva tests.
A: Yes, children of all ages can be tested for food intolerances. Early identification can help improve their dietary habits and overall health.
A: Results are typically available within five working days, allowing for quick and effective dietary adjustments.
A: Identifying and eliminating foods that your body cannot tolerate can improve metabolic processes and digestive health, potentially aiding in weight management.
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