Food Intolerance Test

[Kerri_P]

Hi Helen,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. At my appointment I brought up again about my deficiencies when asking about the being referred and was basically told that I can have another blood test to see how my levels are doing but that still wouldn't warrant a referral to a dietician. I am so confused as to what to do. Is it worth me changing my doctors as I have seen all 3 at that surgery and they all have the same approach. Or am I trying to get referred for something I don't need?

In regards to the elimination from my diet, I have eliminated Cow's Milk completely and have been having Arla Lacto-Free and seem to be a lot better. The only other thing that I have which is dairy is cheese, which seems to be fine. With the wheat intolerance I have cut bread completely out of my diet but I think I now need to eliminate pasta etc as still having a small amount of discomfort. My doctor's response to the elimination was basically "so what"!! She said that many cultures don't have bread etc and they are healthy enough and she would only be concerned about eliminating cow's milk if I was a child as it's more important in a child's diet. She basically told me to just eat the stuff I know doesn't irritate me. Which in hindsight is correct and is what I am doing, but I feel I need some kind of guidance from a professional.

I will start the food diary straight away with the eliminations and see if there are any other triggers.

One other thing I did want to know. I read about skin problems are also connected to food intolerance and I wondered if this was true. I have extremely dry skin between my fingers which no amount of cream cures and I also have a funny lumpy rash on the top part of my arms again with creams etc never gets any better. I mentioned this also at my appointment this week and was told it's because i'm not drying myself properly after showering/bathing!!!

[Dr Helen Brough]

Dear Kerri_P,

With regards to skin rashes it is usually best to get these looked at by a specialist in dermatology as it is difficult to tell just by description. The skin rashes usually associated with allergy are urticaria or hives with acute allergic reactions or eczema which is usually not just in one place as you describe. A fine bumpy rash on the extensor surface of the arm may be hyperkeratosis pilaris; again a dermatologist would be able to make that diagnosis.

I think it is worthwhile finding out if you are still deficient in those nutrients so you can have supplements if necessary. By the way Arla Lactofree is still cow's milk, it has just had the lactose taken out of it.

Kind regards,

[trinaod]

Hi,

I have had very similar experiences to Kerri_P in trying to get referred to a dietician. My doctor seems to think the only way to deal with IBS/Food intolerances is to throw medication at the problem. I know some foods cause me problems. It is frustrating to be treated like you're overreacting to what I think some see as a 'minor' problem.

[Dr Stephen Till]

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is a NHS body that produces evidence-based guidelines on the most effective ways to manage various medical issues.
I quote their guidance on IBS: "If diet continues to be considered a major factor in a person’s symptoms and they are following general lifestyle/dietary advice, they should be referred to a dietitian for advice and treatment, including single food avoidance and exclusion diets. Such advice should only be given by a dietitian"

http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/1 ... /39622.pdf

[Kerri_P]

This is why I get so confused and frustrated. I have eliminated Cow's Milk and tried the various different replacements available and the only one I could have without a reaction was Arla Lactofree which Dr Helen has said is still Cow's Milk but with the lacto removed. So now i'm confused lol.

Thankyou Stephen for quoting that to me, I will print some info off the website and tackle the doctor again. But judging by past experience I don't think I will get anywhere and will have to continue to suffer in silence.