Allergy Testing Prices UK 2026

Compare 8 UK allergy testing providers — from £49 home kits to £300 specialist clinic appointments. Understand the difference between IgG intolerance tests and clinically validated IgE allergy tests before you spend.

8 providers comparedPrices verified April 2026

Important: IgG food intolerance tests

IgG-based food intolerance tests (home kits from YorkTest, Lifelab, etc.) are not endorsed by the NHS or NICE as clinically validated diagnostic tools. IgG antibodies are a normal part of the immune response to food and do not reliably indicate intolerance. If you suspect a food intolerance, the gold standard is a supervised elimination diet with a registered dietitian. For true allergies (IgE-mediated), skin prick tests and IgE blood tests are clinically validated.

Market data: private allergy testing

8 providers · April 2026

Lowest observed

£39

per test

Typical price

£150

per test

Highest observed

£400

per test

Home kit range: £39 – £299

Clinic testing range: £150 – £400

NHS option: Free (via GP referral, 6–12 month wait)

Notable allergy testing providers

Providers that stand out on specific attributes. Based on verified data — not a recommendation.

Medichecks

from £39

Lowest price

IgE allergy panels via home blood test. Doctor-reviewed results. 2–5 day turnaround.

Allergy UK Approved Clinics

from £150

Widest range

Gold-standard skin prick testing. Consultant allergist-led. Same-day results.

YorkTest

from £49

Includes most services

UK's best-known food intolerance testing. 40–200+ foods. Nutritional therapist support included.

NHS

Free

Lowest price

Clinically validated IgE testing via GP referral. 6–12 month wait for allergy clinic.

Price guide

Food Intolerance Test (Basic)

Home finger-prick kit, IgG antibody test, 40+ foods analysed

£69

£49 – £99

Food Intolerance Test (Comprehensive)

Home kit, 200+ foods analysed, detailed report with elimination guidance

£159

£99 – £299

Skin Prick Test (Clinic)

In-clinic test with allergist, immediate results, gold-standard for IgE allergies

£200

£150 – £350

IgE Blood Test (Specific Allergens)

Blood test for specific IgE antibodies — clinically validated allergy marker

£80

£50 – £150

Full Allergy Panel (Blood)

Comprehensive IgE blood panel covering common environmental and food allergens

£250

£150 – £350

Patch Testing

Contact dermatitis investigation, applied to skin for 48 hours, read at 96 hours

£300

£200 – £400

Allergist Consultation

Private consultant allergist appointment, history and examination

£200

£150 – £300

Hay Fever Assessment

Seasonal allergy assessment with skin prick or blood testing

£120

£80 – £200

Providers compared

Provider	From	Type	Tests	Turnaround
YorkTest UK's best-known food intolerance testing company. IgG home kits. Results via online dashboard. Nutritional therapist support included.	£49	Home kit	40–200+ foods	5–7 days
Lifelab Testing Home finger-prick kits. Food intolerance and sensitivity testing. Results via app. From £69.	£69	Home kit	40–160+ items	5–7 days
Medichecks Venous and finger-prick blood tests. IgE allergy panels and intolerance panels. Doctor-reviewed results.	£39	Home kit / clinic	Allergy panels	2–5 days
LetsGetChecked Home blood test kits. IgE-based allergy testing. Clinical nurse support. From £89.	£89	Home kit	Common allergens	2–5 days
Allergy UK Approved Clinics Allergy UK-approved clinics offering gold-standard skin prick testing. Consultant allergist-led. Immediate results.	£150	Clinic	Skin prick + IgE	Same day
BMI Healthcare Now Circle Health Group. Full allergy investigation including skin prick, IgE blood tests, and challenge testing.	£200	Hospital	Full clinical allergy	1–3 days
Spire Healthcare 39 hospitals. Private consultant allergist appointments. Full allergy workup including blood and skin testing.	£200	Hospital	Consultant allergist	1–3 days
London Allergy & Immunology Centre Specialist allergy and immunology centre. Consultant-led. Full range of validated allergy tests. From £250.	£250	Specialist clinic	Full panel	Same day

Should you go private or use the NHS?

NHS route

NHS allergy testing is free via GP referral. You will receive clinically validated skin prick tests and/or IgE blood tests at an NHS allergy clinic. The same gold-standard methods used privately. Ongoing management and specialist follow-up included.

Typical wait: 6–12 months

Private route

Same-day or next-day appointments. Choose your provider. No referral needed in most cases.

Typical wait: 24 hours – 1 week

When private allergy testing makes sense

→

You want faster results

Private allergy testing is available within 1–2 weeks. NHS allergy clinic waiting times are typically 6–12 months. Home kits deliver results in 5–7 days.

→

You want comprehensive panel testing

Private providers can test for 200+ allergens in a single panel. NHS testing is typically targeted to suspected allergens based on clinical history.

→

You have mild or suspected food sensitivities

GPs may not refer for allergy testing if symptoms are mild. Private testing (particularly validated IgE tests) can provide answers without a referral.

→

You need patch testing for contact dermatitis

NHS dermatology waiting times are long. Private patch testing is available within 1–2 weeks and identifies contact allergens causing skin reactions.

What to check before booking

✓Understand the difference between IgE (allergy) and IgG (intolerance) tests
✓IgE tests are clinically validated; IgG food intolerance tests are not endorsed by NHS/NICE
✓Consider a GP referral for free NHS allergy testing if you can wait
✓Check if the provider offers follow-up support or dietitian guidance
✓For serious allergic reactions, always see a specialist allergist

Questions to ask a provider

?Is this an IgE or IgG test?
?What allergens does the panel cover?
?How are results delivered and who reviews them?
?What follow-up support is included?
?Should I stop antihistamines before testing?

Frequently asked questions

Are food intolerance tests accurate?

IgG-based food intolerance tests are not endorsed by the NHS or NICE as clinically reliable. IgG antibodies are a normal immune response to food. For true allergies, IgE blood tests and skin prick tests are the gold standard. For suspected food intolerance, a supervised elimination diet with a dietitian is recommended.

How much does allergy testing cost in the UK?

Home IgG food intolerance kits cost £49–299. Clinic skin prick tests cost £150–350. IgE blood tests cost £50–150. Full allergy panels cost £150–350. Allergist consultations cost £150–300. NHS allergy testing is free via GP referral but the wait is 6–12 months.

What is the difference between a skin prick test and a blood test?

Skin prick tests introduce tiny allergen amounts into the skin with results in 15–20 minutes — the gold standard for IgE allergies. Blood tests measure IgE antibody levels and take 1–5 days. Both are clinically validated. Blood tests are preferred when skin testing is not possible (severe eczema, antihistamine use).

Can I get allergy testing on the NHS?

Yes. Your GP can refer you for free NHS allergy testing including skin prick tests and IgE blood tests. Waiting times are typically 6–12 months. Private testing offers the same validated methods with access in 1–2 weeks.

Related comparisons

Sources & further reading

NICE CG116 — Food allergy in under 19s — NICE guideline on diagnosis and assessment of food allergy including recommended testing methods (skin prick, IgE)
BSACI — British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology — Professional allergy guidelines including position statements on validated vs non-validated tests
NHS — Allergies — NHS information on allergy types, symptoms, diagnosis pathways, and when to seek specialist referral
NICE CKS — Allergic rhinitis — Clinical Knowledge Summary on hay fever management, testing, and treatment in primary care
NHS — Food intolerance (IgG tests not recommended) — NHS states that IgG food intolerance tests are not recommended as there is no evidence they are accurate or useful for diagnosing food intolerance

How we compare allergy testing prices

Prices are collected from provider websites. We distinguish between clinically validated IgE allergy tests and IgG food intolerance tests. We do not accept payment for ranking or inclusion. We clearly flag where tests are not endorsed by NHS/NICE guidelines.