You paid for the food sensitivity test.
You opened your results.
And suddenly…
Eggs. Dairy. Almonds. Chicken. Spinach.
Foods you eat all the time are showing up in red.
So now you’re wondering:
“Am I really sensitive to ALL of this?”
Before you clean out your refrigerator, there is something you need to know.
That test may not be telling you what you think it is.
And understanding the difference between IgG and IgE testing could save you from unnecessarily eliminating foods your body may tolerate perfectly well.
IgG vs. IgE: They Are NOT the Same Thing
This is where a lot of the confusion around food sensitivity testing begins.
IgG and IgE are both antibodies produced by your immune system, but testing for them does not tell us the same thing.
IgE Testing: Food Allergies
IgE is associated with immediate allergic reactions.
Symptoms can include:
- Hives
- Swelling
- Wheezing
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Anaphylaxis
When a true food allergy is suspected, an allergist may use your medical history along with testing such as skin-prick testing or food-specific IgE blood testing.
These reactions can be serious, which is why suspected food allergies should always be evaluated by a qualified medical professional.
IgG Testing: “Food Sensitivity” Panelsd yet…
IgG testing is different.
You may have seen these tests advertised online as a way to discover hidden food sensitivities.
You send in a blood sample, and you get back a beautifully organized report showing foods in green, yellow and red.
It looks incredibly specific.
The problem?
Finding IgG antibodies to a food doesn’t necessarily mean your body is intolerant to that food.
IgG antibodies can simply indicate that your immune system has been exposed to that food.
In other words…
🥚 If you regularly eat eggs, seeing an IgG response to eggs doesn’t automatically mean eggs are causing your symptoms.
And that’s a VERY important distinction.
The IgG Food Sensitivity Testing Problem No One Explains
Here’s where things get interesting.
Higher food-specific IgG levels can actually be associated with regular exposure and tolerance to a food, rather than proving that the food is causing symptoms.
That’s why major allergy organizations have cautioned against using IgG testing to diagnose food allergies or food intolerances.
But imagine being the woman receiving that test.
You don’t know any of that.
You just see:
RED = BAD.
So you start eliminating.
First dairy.
Then gluten.
Then eggs.
Then almonds.
Then soy.
Then half the vegetables you normally eat.
Before long, your “healthy diet” consists of the same handful of foods every day because you’re afraid everything else is making you sick.
And yet…
You still don’t feel better.
More Restriction Isn’t Always the Answerd
This is especially important for women already struggling with things like:
- Thyroid symptoms
- Hormonal changes
- Digestive issues
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Brain fog
- Difficulty losing weight
When you already feel like your body isn’t cooperating, being handed a giant list of foods you’re supposedly “sensitive” to can feel like proof that something is seriously wrong.
But removing more and more foods isn’t automatically going to uncover the answer.
In fact, unnecessary restriction can make it harder to get adequate protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and overall nutrition.
And it can make eating incredibly stressful.
Your goal shouldn’t be to create the smallest possible list of foods your body can tolerate.
The goal should be figuring out what is actually contributing to your symptoms.
Does That Mean Food Sensitivities Aren’t Real?
In reality, there’s a lot of space between those two extremes.
Your thyroid is just one piece of a much bigger picture.
Hormones like cortisol, insulin, estrogen, and progesterone are constantly working together. Your gut health, inflammation, stress levels, sleep quality, nutrition, and nervous system all influence how those hormones function.
When one area becomes imbalanced, others often follow.
That’s why focusing on just one lab result rarely tells the whole story.
Stop Asking, “What’s the Best Diet?”
Instead, ask yourself:
“What does my body need right now?”
The answer is different for every woman.
It depends on:
- Your age and stage of life
- Your stress load
- Your sleep habits
- Your history of dieting
- Your activity level
- Your gut health
- Your hormones
- Your overall lifestyle
This is why one-size-fits-all diets often leave women feeling frustrated.
Your body isn’t failing you.
You Don’t Need a Diagnosis to Start Supporting Your Hormones
One of the biggest myths we see is that women think they have to wait until something is “officially wrong” before making healthy changes.
But supporting your hormones doesn’t require permission from a lab report.
Simple habits can make a meaningful difference, including:
- Eating enough protein throughout the day
- Building balanced meals that support blood sugar
- Prioritizing quality sleep
- Managing chronic stress
- Supporting gut health with fiber-rich foods
- Choosing a more non-toxic lifestyle where possible
- Moving your body consistently without overdoing it
These habits benefit your body whether you have a thyroid diagnosis or not.
Waiting until symptoms become severe often makes the journey harder.
Starting now gives your body the support it deserves.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve been told you’re “fine” but you know you don’t feel like yourself, trust that feeling.
You know your body better than anyone else.
A diagnosis can provide answers, but it isn’t the only reason to begin caring for your hormones, metabolism, and overall health.
At Priscilla Swahn Nutrition, we believe in looking at the whole picture—not just a lab result.
Whether you’re navigating thyroid concerns, hormonal changes, or simply know something feels off, you don’t have to wait until your symptoms become “bad enough” to start making positive changes.
Small, consistent steps today can lead to meaningful improvements tomorrow.
If you’re ready for practical guidance, delicious hormone-supportive recipes, and education that goes beyond the latest fad diet, we’d love to support you.
Join the Swahn Thyroid Reset Membership and start giving your body the nourishment and support it truly needs because feeling better shouldn’t have to wait for a diagnosis.
👉 We’ll be sharing more soon about hormone symptoms by age, early warning signs, and why waiting until things are ‘bad enough’ often backfires.
If you’re unsure where you fit, that’s okay. Reach out. We’ll help you sort through it.
If this resonated with you, I share more behind-the-scenes education, daily insights, and conversations about thyroid health and root-cause weight loss over on Instagram.
You can follow along here:
👉 @PriscillaSwahn