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Pathology referrals

Specialist referrals

Weight loss

Mental health

Menopause

UTIs

Skincare

Mental health care plans

Food intolerance testing

Get personalised access to food intolerance testing through an Australian-registered doctor, without leaving home. It's online, confidential and convenient, with appointments at a time that suits you.

Relevant Services:

How our doctors support food intolerance testing

People come to us for all sorts of reasons: ongoing bloating, unexplained fatigue, stomach pain after meals, or irregular gut symptoms that won't settle. Our Australian-registered doctors assess your symptoms through a telehealth consultation and, where clinically appropriate, can arrange food intolerance breath tests or specialist referrals. Breath testing helps identify common triggers like lactose or fructose, giving you clearer answers about what your body is reacting to.

What we offer:

Our food intolerance testing service covers everything you need to investigate digestive symptoms from home:

Personalised consultations with Australian-registered doctors
Food intolerance breath test requests
Support for lactose and fructose investigation
Results review with a qualified doctor
Specialist referrals where clinically appropriate
Optional follow-up consultations
Doctors experienced in digestive health

Food intolerance testing online: how it works

1.

Request a referral

Head to our website and request a telehealth consultation at a time that suits you. Our doctors are available from 6am to midnight, every day of the week, including weekends and public holidays.

2.

Speak with an Australian-registered doctor

An Australian-registered doctor will call you to discuss your symptoms, medical history, and what you've noticed about your reactions to certain foods. The conversation is private, unhurried, and tailored to your situation.

3.

Receive your request or referral

If appropriate, your doctor will issue a pathology request or a referral for breath testing electronically. You can take it to any participating collection centre across Australia.

1.

Request a referral

Head to our website and request a telehealth consultation at a time that suits you. Our doctors are available from 6am to midnight, every day of the week, including weekends and public holidays.

2.

Speak with an Australian-registered doctor

3.

Receive your request or referral

If appropriate, your doctor will issue a pathology request or a referral for breath testing electronically. You can take it to any participating collection centre across Australia.

Food intolerance testing made simple with InstantScripts

Sorting out a suspected food intolerance shouldn't mean taking a day off work or sitting in a waiting room. With InstantScripts, you can speak with an Australian-registered doctor from home, get a digital pathology request sent straight to your phone, and visit a collection centre for breath testing when it suits you. Everything stays private, secure, and on your schedule.

What's included:

A one-on-one consultation with an Australian-registered doctor to discuss your symptoms, history, and which food intolerance breath tests are appropriate for you.
A digital pathology request for breath testing, sent to you electronically so you can book a collection centre appointment that fits around your day.
A follow-up to review your results, talk through what they mean, and discuss dietary or lifestyle adjustments that may help manage symptoms.
Specialist referrals if further investigation or dietitian support is recommended.

What is food intolerance testing?

Food intolerance testing helps work out whether certain foods are triggering symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, wind, or changes in bowel habits. The most reliable method available in Australia is hydrogen and methane breath testing, which measures gases produced in the gut after you drink a small sugar solution, usually lactose or fructose. If your body cannot properly absorb these sugars, bacteria in the large intestine ferment them and release hydrogen and methane, which then show up in your breath. A pathology service collects breath samples at set intervals over two to three hours, and the results show whether your levels rise above normal thresholds. A doctor referral is usually needed before pathology will run the test, which is where our service can help.

What breath testing can identify

Breath testing is mainly used to assess lactose intolerance, fructose malabsorption, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). It does not test for food allergies, coeliac disease, or sensitivities to things like preservatives and food chemicals. Those need different investigations, and our doctors can guide you towards the right pathway. If a breath test confirms an intolerance, we can also help with a follow-up specialist referral to a dietitian or gastroenterologist where appropriate.

Can I get a food intolerance test request online?

Yes. You can request a consultation with one of our Australian-registered doctors through the food intolerance test request page. If clinically appropriate, the doctor will issue a pathology request you can take to a collection centre for breath testing.

What does food intolerance testing actually check?

Hydrogen and methane breath testing checks how your body handles specific sugars, most commonly lactose (found in dairy) and fructose (found in fruit, honey, and some processed foods). The pathology service measures the gases in your breath at regular intervals after you drink the sugar solution.

How much does it cost, and is it covered by Medicare?

The cost of the consultation is shown on our pricing page. Pathology fees are set by the collection provider and may not be covered by Medicare, so check with the lab before booking your appointment.

Do I need a Medicare card to use the service?

You don't need a Medicare card to request a consultation with an InstantScripts doctor. If you have a Medicare card or Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI), it helps with linking results and prescriptions, but it isn't required to access the service.

How long do results take?

Breath test results are usually sent to the requesting doctor within a few business days of your appointment at the collection centre. Your doctor can then walk you through the findings and discuss next steps, including dietary changes or further investigations.

How accurate is the test, and do I need to prepare?

Breath testing is well established and accurate when preparation instructions are followed carefully. You'll generally need to follow a restricted diet the day before, fast overnight, and avoid antibiotics, smoking, and exercise around the test. The pathology service will give you full instructions when you book.