FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What symptoms might I be suffering from if I have a food intolerance?
IgG mediated food intolerance leads to underlying inflammation in the body. This can manifest in a range of symptoms: gastrointestinal complaints (IBS, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps), headaches/migraines, fibromyalgia, joint pain, arthritis, skin conditions, chronic weight problems, difficulty concentrating, depression, anxiety, and many more.
What if I have been on a restricted diet before the test?
You may find that foods you haven’t strictly eaten for a long period of time do not show up on the ImuPro test, however, this generally applies to situations where the food has been avoided for at least 1 year.
This just means your body is no longer producing IgG antibodies toward the proteins in that food, so it is no longer causing you inflammation. This is really what you want to happen, it means your intolerance levels have lowered (or are lowering) – which is the way the body works with food intolerances. It does not mean the test is inaccurate or does not give a true reflection of your intolerances.
Once you stop eating an offending food, after a while your body will stop producing IgG antibodies towards it and your existing IgG levels will start to lower and eventually disappear. It can take months, or sometimes years, for all existing IgG levels to an offending food to disappear entirely and this is why we recommend avoiding foods with elevated IgG levels for a minimum of 5 weeks to 1 year (depending on the outcome of your provocation phase). So, some of the foods you have been avoiding may still come up in the test (they may just be a mild elevation), or they may not come up at all if your IgG antibody levels have disappeared. In this case we would recommend you rotate these foods every 4 days to prevent developing another intolerance.
We often have people ask us if they should start eating previously avoided foods again prior to testing, in order to get an ‘accurate result’. There really is no point bringing those foods back into your diet for a certain result, and as you can see it can take months to increase your IgG antibodies to a level that is detectable by ImuPro. The best thing to do is to take the test now and you will get a snapshot of where you are currently at with all of your intolerance levels, and can then adjust your diet accordingly.
Is there any need to be re-tested down the track?
No, this is not normally necessary. Even if a retest does not detect particular antibodies, this does not mean that you can recommence eating foods or additives to which an intolerance was detected.
The immune system has a memory and reactivates the production of antibodies when it comes in contact with a food or additive to which it previously had a reaction.
However, the production of antibodies is generally reduced through implementing dietary changes to cut out offending foods.
The test would only need to be repeated if the symptoms re-occur, although this is unlikely if you are keeping to your diet and rotation plan instructions.
If the test is repeated, we recommend at least a two year wait between tests.
How reliable is the ImuPro test?
We test on blood serum which is stable and reproducible and our testing plates have CE certification and are checked through regular quality controls.
The test is performed using the ELISA method which is a well-established standard procedure in laboratory analysis. Each individual food allergen on the ImuPro testing plates is registered and tested according to strict In-Vitro Diagnostic Regulations (IVDR) in Germany. Our parent company, R-Biopharm, were one of the first to receive this certification.
My GP performed a standard allergy test on me. Do I still need an IgG test?
The ImuPro test detects IgG mediated food intolerance responses which may occur between 8 and 72 hours after the consumption of the offending food or additive. These food intolerances are mediated by a build-up of IgG antibodies in the blood.
Standard allergy tests (like the skin prick/scratch test) are designed to detect immediate reactions to ingested food, mediated by IgE antibodies. Classic Type 1 allergies are different to the IgG intolerances (delayed onset Type 3 allergy) that the ImuPro test is looking for.
Will the ImuPro test detect if I am intolerant to salicylates or amines in foods?
The ImuPro test looks for IgG mediated food allergy (intolerances to foods) only. Salicylate and amine intolerance are not IgG mediated and therefore will not be picked up by the ImuPro test.
What are the most common allergens?
ImuPro studies have shown that milk and dairy products, as well as varieties of cereals, trigger immunological reactions in a large number of people.
Gluten, egg white, dairy products and brewers/baker’s yeast can cause a high level of intolerance and should be avoided if an intolerance is detected – this is not always easy as these food types are often hidden in innumerable manufactured products.
Should I fast before having my blood sample taken?
For ImuPro IgG testing: it is recommended that you do not eat for a minimum of 2 hours prior to having your blood sample taken. We also advise not to eat a fatty meal before your blood is taken as this causes the sample to become lipemic and harder to test.
For LipoScan Bundle testing: this requires a full 12 hour fast.
For the DAO Test: there is no need to fast however please abstain from drinking alcohol or eating cheese or chocolate for 2 days prior to testing.
Does the ImuPro test have any certification?
The ImuPro tests and antigens are manufactured by the German company R-Biopharm under strict quality management ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 systems that have been accredited by the DQS according to the international standards ISO 9001 and EN 46001 (medical devices).
In 2003, the company gained ISO 13485 quality management accreditation. All of the reagents used in the test have CE approval.
Due to the fact that ImuPro tests are processed in more than 30 laboratories worldwide, each run by specialists in this field, we are even able to conduct inter-laboratory trials on a yearly basis to ensure the consistency and quality of each and every step of this test.
Each individual food allergen on the ImuPro testing plates is registered and tested according to strict In-Vitro Diagnostic Regulations (IVDR) in Germany. Our parent company, R-Biopharm, were one of the first to receive this certification.
Where is the ImuPro test conducted?
The ImuPro test is conducted in our specialised diagnostic labs in Germany (CTL Laboratories). CTL have been conducting the ImuPro test for over 20 years and are experts in the field of delayed IgG mediated food intolerance. Your blood sample will be shipped from our Sydney office to Germany and your results will take around 10-14 days.
I have tested negative to Coeliac disease. Can I still be intolerant to gluten?
Yes, you can definitely test negative to Coeliac but still have what is known as Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity mediated by IgG antibodies, which is what ImuPro will detect.
Will the ImuPro Test tell me if I have fructose intolerance?
Fructose intolerance occurs when the fructose (sugar) in food is not absorbed properly in the small intestine. The undigested fructose is then carried on to the colon where it is fermented by the body’s normal bacteria causing the intestine to swell and produce gastrointestinal complaints such as bloating, cramping, gas and diarrhea. Fructose intolerance is really localised in the gut and does not initiate the release of IgG antibodies, so it cannot be diagnosed with ImuPro.
Will I need to pay Pathology when I have my blood sample drawn?
When you attend Pathology for your blood collection there will be a small fee (usually around $20-$30) payable to the laboratory for drawing your blood. This is Pathology’s standard fee for blood collection and preparation. This fee does not relate to ImuPro.
Do I need to get a Doctor's referral to do the ImuPro Test?
You do not need a referral for ImuPro testing – you can order your test quickly and easily via our website or over the phone. ImuPro will provide you with the required Pathology paperwork to have your blood sample drawn and your results will be sent back to you within 10-14 business days. However, if your healthcare practitioner has referred you for testing, we will send the results back to them for follow up. Your ImuPro test may be a standalone or part of a larger protocol for treatment.
Can my GP refer me?
While you do not need a GP referral to do the ImuPro test, you certainly have the option of going through your GP if you prefer. Simply contact ImuPro to receive a referral template to present to your Doctor.
Please note if you are going through your Doctor, your ImuPro results will need to be sent back to the referring practitioner unless they give permission for you to receive them directly.
Can I test if I am pregnant?
Yes absolutely, in fact it is recommended. IgG antibodies are the only ones small enough to pass through the placenta on to your child so it is a good idea to test if you are pregnant to ensure the best possible outcome for your baby.
Referring Practitioners
What type of food intolerances do you test?
ImuPro tests for type 3 allergy toward food proteins, mediated by IgG antibodies. Because type 3 food reactions are often delayed and are not life-threatening, they are often referred to as “food intolerances”. However, unlike other types of intolerances (lactose, fructose, salicylates), IgG food allergies involve an immune response to food that triggers low grade inflammation and chronic symptoms. We also test for DAO histamine intolerance, which can be conducted on the same blood sample.
How do I know if my patient needs to test for IgG food reactions?
ImuPro tests are suitable for both preventative and corrective health care. Many patients choose to test even without obvious symptoms. This is because inflammation does not always lead to a visible or felt symptom, and identifying potential food triggers is an excellent step to prevent symptom onset. However, there are some telltale signs that your patient is living with delayed food allergies:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Chronic headache or migraine
Chronic skin conditions incl eczema or acne
Joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis
Chronic fatigue
Can’t lose weight despite calorie deprivation
Difficulty recovering from exercise
How can I refer patients for testing?
If you have not already registered as an ImuPro practitioner, please sign up here.
We will then be in touch with an application form and further practitioner resources. Once you have registered your details, we will provide you with a personalised online referral form and payment options. Simply fill in patient details on this form and email it to us at enquiries@imupro.com.au.
If you see patients face to face in clinic, ask us about stocking test kits in your clinic. We are happy to provide these for regularly referring practitioners. Otherwise, we post these out individually to patients upon referral.
From there, the patient can attend their local pathology and provide our request form for a small blood draw. This will be spun down so the serum is on top and is stable at room temperature for 8 days and can be refrigerated for 3 weeks. The patient will place their sample in the provided transport tube and express post to ImuPro. All instructions are provided with each kit and are also emailed. If the patient is near Sydney CBD, they may prefer to drop their sample to us in person at 601/46 Market St Sydney.
How long do results take and how do I access them?
IgG results: Please allow 10-14 business days.
Histamine, Advanced Cholesterol, NeuroSpot and IgE tests: Please allow 10-20 business days.
All results are sent to you as the referring practitioner via email. We will not send results to your patients unless this is indicated on the referral.
What other diagnostic tests can I refer for?
Aside from IgG and histamine food intolerances, we are able to provide testing for advanced cholesterol profiling, neurotransmitters, cortisol & DHEA and IgE classic allergies. These will be available on your personalised referral form.
What kind of support do I receive for interpreting the results?
You will see that ImuPro reporting is uniquely comprehensive and end-user friendly. We provide you with a step by step guide to help patients with the 5 week elimination, and practical advice for the food challenge or “provocation” phase.
We support our practitioners with a monthly newsletter featuring the latest clinical news, business updates and our library of practitioner resources is available anytime.
If you have a question you are always welcome to get in touch with us by calling 1300 481 151 or emailing enquiries@imupro.com.au We are always happy to help, and are available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm AEST.
Can I send my patients directly to you to handle any questions?
You are welcome to refer patients back to us with questions. However, please note that due to our loyalty to practitioners we will refer patients back for any complex questions regarding treatment etc.
I work in multiple clinics, can I set up separate accounts?
That’s not a problem, just send us the details of each clinic and we will attach them to your account. We can provide you with additional referral forms so that results are sent to the correct email.
How do you compare with other types of IgG testing?
The main point of difference with ImuPro is that our lab is exclusively dedicated to IgG testing so it is our core specialty. We do not run hundreds of routine pathology tests so our lab technicians are experts in this field. Our reporting is highly comprehensive and patient-centric.
Our Basic 90 food test can be upgraded to the full 270 foods within 4 weeks of receiving results without a new blood draw. The DAO histamine test can also be added on the same sample.
ImuPro is IVDR certified and each allergen has been registered with individualised cut-off points. We test on blood serum only which is considered the best sample for measuring IgG antibodies because it contains the purified serum component of the blood, which is free of cellular components and other interfering factors found in whole blood (e.g. finger prick methods). Repeat testing can also be carried out which cannot be done on a finger prick. Click here to learn more about the different test methods for food intolerances.
Can I see a sample report?
Absolutely, just email us at enquiries@imupro.com.au once you have a registered account. We now consolidate the Report, Personal Nutrition Guide and Recipe documents all into a single PDF.
Shipping & Refunds
How long does shipping take?
We are located in Sydney, Australia. Your test pack will be shipped within 1 business day (orders made before 4pm Mon to Fri are usually shipped same day).
Domestic orders are sent by Australia Post Parcel Mail (Express Post for orders over $400). Australia Post Parcel Mail can take up to one week for delivery depending on your area, while Express Post is usually 1-2 days depending on your area.
ImuPro accepts no responsibility for possible postage delays or items that may go missing while in the care of Australia Post.
Will my blood serum sample be spoilt during transit?
No. Your blood sample will be specially prepared by pathology (a process called “centrifuging”). This process ensures that the clear liquid serum is separated from the blood solids. The serum is what we require for testing and is stable at room temperature for up to 7 days. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months without being spoilt.
Can I order the test if I am not in Australia?
Usually, yes! ImuPro testing is available worldwide. If there is not a local ImuPro partner in your area (you can find this out by visiting www.imupro.com), please contact us to see if we can arrange a test in your region.
How do I send my sample back to ImuPro?
ImuPro will provide you with a small, plastic transport tube to keep your serum sample safe during transit. This tube has a water-tight lid and absorbent material in the unlikely event your sample should leak (this is just a precaution). You will need to purchase a small Express Post parcel (a 500g parcel is usually sufficient for up to 4 samples). It is best to send your sample by Express Post to ensure it arrives with ImuPro as quickly as possible. We do not recommend you send your sample in a paper envelope.
If you are located nearby, you are welcome to bring your sample in to the ImuPro office at Suite 601, 46 Market Street, Sydney. We are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Do you ship internationally?
If you are located outside Australia please contact us prior to ordering your test to ensure the test is available in your region.
What is your refund policy?
ImuPro must receive your blood sample and supporting documents within 90 days of the test purchase date. There are no refunds given after 90 days. If for any reason you should require a refund during this period we are happy to oblige but please note a flat fee of $50.00 plus GST (per person, if cancelling multiple tests) will be incurred to cover administration and postage on any test. This fee does not include the international shipping fee if you have purchased from outside of Australia.
International Shipping
New Zealand orders
For New Zealand residents, we charge a $75 flat rate shipping fee which covers a FedEx International Priority courier to have your blood serum sample shipped directly to our lab in Germany. Pathology and other paperwork will be sent to you via email. Due to FedEx charges we can only accept a minimum order of $399 for NZ residents.
Ordering outside Australia & New Zealand
For countries outside Australia and NZ , firstly check if you have a local ImuPro partner by searching here. If there is no ImuPro distributor near you, please get in touch with us at enquiries@imupro.com.au and we will send you more information on next steps before committing to your order.
Medications & Restrictions on Testing
What is the minimum age for testing?
Children over 12 months of age can take the ImuPro test provided they have not had a vaccination in the last 9 months.
If the child is younger than 12 months and is showing symptoms, we would recommend to test the mother instead. This is because the IgG antibodies we are measuring are small enough to be passed through the placenta and breast milk to the child. Therefore, until the child’s immune system has developed separately – the food intolerances will be the same in mother and child, even if they do not produce obvious symptoms in the mother.
Please let us know if your child has had vaccinations within the last 9 months before proceeding with ImuPro.
Can I have the test done if I am on a restricted diet?
Yes, you can still take the test if you are on a restricted diet.
Whether these restrictions effect your test results is really dependent on how long the diet has been in place. IgG delayed food intolerances are different to traditional IgE immediate allergies as they can develop and change over time depending on your diet and other factors, whereas IgE allergies are likely to remain the same throughout your life.
If you have eliminated a food for a few weeks, this is not likely to influence the results. However, if you have been avoiding a food for many months, it is much more likely that your body is no longer producing IgG antibodies towards this food, and it will not be picked up in our test, or it will show up as a low level reaction. This simply means you have built up a tolerance toward this food – but you will not know if you can safely reintroduce it into your diet until you perform a provocation test.
Will medications affect the test results?
Certain medications can affect the results of the ImuPro test, so if in doubt please check with us. If you have been on a long course of antibiotics it can interfere with the results (a short course is fine).
If you are taking, or have taken, a long course of immunosuppressant medication such as cortisone, steroids, prednisone etc, this may also affect the results. Cortisone cream is fine as it is topical and the result is local.
A single cortisone injection will not affect the test results, provided the blood is drawn no later than 3 weeks after the injection is given.
The reason for this is that it takes around 3 weeks for IgG levels to surge after the injection. After 3 weeks, the result may be influenced (it depends on the individual person’s reaction to the injection).
Asthma inhalers/puffers such as Flixotide etc will not affect the results.
A long course of antibiotics can compromise the intestinal flora and may cause a higher number of reactions to be detected. If you are currently taking any medication you should advise the ImuPro team just to be certain.
I have a cold and/or temperature. Is it okay to have my ImuPro test?
If you have a temperature we would recommend you wait until after your temperature has gone before having your blood sample drawn. If you have a mild common cold (sore throat, runny nose, etc) but no temperature, it is fine to take the test.
I've just had a flu shot. Should I wait before having my blood drawn?
A single injection of the flu vaccine will not affect the test results, provided the blood is drawn no later than 3 weeks after the injection is given. The reason for this is that it takes around 3 weeks for IgG levels to surge after the injection.
After 3 weeks, the result may be influenced (it depends on the individual person’s reaction to the vaccine). Please check with ImuPro if you are concerned.
Can I test while pregnant?
Yes absolutely, in fact it is recommended. IgG antibodies are the only ones small enough to pass through the placenta on to your child so it is a good idea to test if you are pregnant to ensure the best possible outcome for your baby.
After 3 weeks, the result may be influenced (it depends on the individual person’s reaction to the vaccine). Please check with ImuPro if you are concerned.
Post-Test FAQs
Can I drink alcohol while following the ImuPro guidelines?
The ImuPro tests do not analyse the beverages themselves, but rather their ingredients, such as grapes, cereals, yeast and malt. If you have increased quantities of IgG antibodies to one of these ingredients, you will have to do completely without the beverages during the avoidance period.
If I react to milk, can I have lactose-free milk instead?
No. With ImuPro, we are testing antibodies to specific proteins of the concerned food. Lactose is not tested in our test, because lactose is not a protein but a sugar which cannot lead to antibody production. Lactose intolerance is an enzyme deficiency, either genetic or acquired. It is the inability to digest this sugar. Lactose-free milk contains the same proteins as normal milk. Milk contains up to 30 major proteins.
While casein is the major protein in milk, we don’t differentiate in our test which protein has caused a reaction. We see that when we test milk-positive patients for casein, a significant percentage of them do not react to casein, but to some other ingredients.
So, if the patient consumes casein-free milk, they might be able to tolerate it, but we cannot predict this. It would be best to totally eliminate milk products for the recommended time. After that, the patient should challenge himself, products that he reintroduces.
How can I obtain adequate dietary calcium if I show an intolerance to milk and dairy?
While milk and dairy products are a valuable source of calcium, they are not the only ones. Many Asian cultures do not have dairy in their diet yet they do not have a higher frequency of osteoporosis. This is because calcium can be found abundantly in green leafy vegetables such as collard greens, bok choy, kale, spinach as well as dairy substitutes like soy.
High amounts of calcium can also be found in nuts like almonds and culinary herbs such as parsley. Don’t forget that this mineral requires vitamin D (from regular sun exposure) for deposition into bone tissue.
Do you test for yeast and is this related to Candida?
Yes. Yeast is covered in all ImuPro IgG food intolerance tests. If you have elevated antibodies towards yeast you will need to carefully avoid any foodstuffs containing yeast such as beer, bread, dried or overripe fruits and fermented products like sauerkraut, yoghurt, kefir and buttermilk.
While many of these foods are touted as healthy and indeed do have many health benefits – they can contribute to inflammation in a person with IgG mediated hypersensitivity and should be avoided accordingly.
Only the ImuPro Complete 270 test will also detect the presence of IgG antibodies in your blood toward Candida albicans – a commensal yeast that can become overgrown and increase the likelihood of developing food intolerances due to its actions on the intestinal lining. If you test positive for Candida albicans with ImuPro, this may indicate a past or present infection which should be confirmed via a stool analysis with your Practitioner.
The test has shown that I am intolerant to yeast, does this mean that I can’t eat bread?
A great alternative to bread containing yeast is sourdough bread. Pure sourdough fermentation is mainly done by lactobacilli, a bacterial strain, and hardly any yeast. So if the baker doesn’t add yeast on purpose, sourdough bread should not contain yeast.
What should I avoid in case of a reaction to egg protein?
Avoid all products containing egg white. Egg white is contained in quite a number of food products. Egg white proteins may be hidden behind the following naming: yolk egg white, ovalbumin, livetin, albumin, lysozyme, E 1105, globulin, ovomucoid, lecithin, E233. If you have to avoid egg white, you can replace the binding effect by mixing 1 tablespoon of soybean flour with 2 tablespoons of water to a paste. In case of soybean incompatibility, the soybean flour may be replaced by maize flour and potato flour by rice flour. Be aware that wine can contain egg white.
My results show intolerances to foods I have never eaten. How can this be possible?
Some foods belong to the same family. For example, potato, aubergine, tomato and tobacco are all members of the nightshade family. Related foods can often produce a similar immunological response.
It is also possible that you react to a food (such as soy), even though you are sure that you have never eaten soy.
This is because soy and its extracts are added to a large number of foods, so you may have consumed soy without your knowledge. Another example is poppy seed, which is frequently contained in drugs as a modified component.
Another possibility is the occurance of a “cross-reaction”. What this means is that the antibodies recognise not only the antigen for which it was originally formed but also other antigens which belong to other food stuffs. This is possible because some foods have identical molecules even though they may not be directly related to each other.
Cross reactions can even occur with environmental allergens which share a similar molecular construction to a certain food.
Some of my symptoms are still there, even though I followed the ImuPro diet. Why is this?
Some of your symptoms / complaints may be caused by something other than IgG mediated food intolerance. These causes cannot be detected with an IgG test, like ImuPro. They include certain defects in the intestinal flora, enzyme defects and hormonal problems (particularly in women). Other sources can be environmental contaminants, heavy metal burden and dental metals. You should follow up with your practitioner in this instance and investigate other possibilities for your symptoms.
Should I avoid skin products that contain ingredients I am intolerant to?
Yes. We know that antigens can also be absorbed by the skin so be sure to read the ingredients of cosmetics, shower gels, hair products and moisturisers, etc to ensure it does not contain anything you are intolerant to.
The skin is a very reactive immune organ, and the experience we have had showed us that products on the skin or even inhaled antigens like lavender have led to symptoms. We also know from our experience in environmental medicine, that if someone reacts to titanium oxide, they have to eliminate all cosmetics and tooth paste containing TiO2.
Discover how the unique ImuPro food tolerance testing works
With testing from ImuPro, you can quickly and effectively discover food intolerances and food allergies that may be causing the conditions above.