How to Interpret Your IgG Food Test Results

Before interpreting your IgG food sensitivity test results, it's helpful to understand the role IgG plays in the body and how it relates to food sensitivities.

IgG, or immunoglobulin G, is a type of antibody produced by the immune system. In some cases, the body may identify certain foods as problematic and produce IgG antibodies in response. This immune activity is what an IgG food sensitivity test measures.

For some people, these responses may be associated with uncomfortable symptoms that can appear hours—or even days—after eating certain foods.^[1] Common symptoms linked to food sensitivities may include:

• Digestive issues, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or acid reflux
• Inflammation-related symptoms, including rashes, joint discomfort, or mild swelling
• Headaches
• Fatigue or low energy
• Anxiety or irritability
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

At first, IgG test results may look a little confusing. To interpret them, you just need to understand the IgG reaction scale.

Test results will give each tested food a “score.” This score refers to the blood’s IgG levels in reaction to that food, often ranked numerically and by reactivity level.

IgG reactivity level	What it may mean
No reactivity	A normal and non-sensitive IgG response
Mild reactivity	A slightly elevated IgG response, usually with few symptoms
Moderate reactivity	A somewhat elevated IgG response, usually with mild symptoms
High reactivity	A strong IgG response, indicating a possible sensitivity

Just remember—symptoms do not always align with IgG test results. You might eat eggs every day in peace but receive a “high reactivity” score for eggs. Likewise, you may always get stomach cramps after eating dairy, but your test may show no IgG elevation for dairy. Ultimately, it’s important to pair your test results with a temporary elimination diet to determine what specific foods you’re sensitive to.

So, you’ve read your results and checked them twice. Now, what do you do?

Before making significant dietary changes, it’s important to work with your healthcare provider. A healthcare provider or registered dietitian can help you interpret your results, evaluate your symptoms, and determine the safest and most effective next steps for your individual health needs.

Temporary elimination diets remove and reintroduce potentially problematic foods from the diet to see if you still experience symptoms. Thanks to the IgG food sensitivity test results, you’ll have a pretty good idea of which foods to eliminate first in a temporary elimination diet.

The process can look something like this:

Step	What to do
Eliminate	With guidance from your healthcare provider, consider which foods may be worth eliminating from the diet to assess for possible sensitivities. Usually, high- or moderate-reactivity foods are a good place to start.
Wait	Wait at least four weeks before reintroducing any eliminated foods. This gives the digestive system time to “reset” and may help reduce lingering symptoms.
Reintroduce	After four weeks, slowly reintroduce one eliminated food at a time for three days or longer. Avoid reintroducing multiple foods at once so you can better identify potential symptom triggers.
Evaluate	Assess how your body responds alongside your healthcare provider. Which foods caused symptoms like bloating or discomfort? Which foods were well tolerated? If symptoms continue regardless of elimination, you can repeat the process with other suspected foods.

Food sensitivity testing can help you learn which foods you may want to prioritize for a two-part elimination diet. However, test results should always be interpreted alongside your symptoms and medical history with guidance from a healthcare provider.

If you’re facing chronic digestive discomfort or have experienced symptoms after eating certain foods, consider speaking with your healthcare provider about whether the Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test may help support your wellness journey.