Lactose intolerance laboratory findings: Difference between revisions
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==Laboratory Findings== | ==Laboratory Findings== | ||
* [[Hydrogen Breath Test]] | * [[Hydrogen Breath Test]] | ||
** After an overnight fast, 50 [[gram]]s of lactose (in a solution with water) are swallowed. If the lactose cannot be digested, enteric bacteria metabolize it and produce [[hydrogen]]. This can be detected in the air the patient exhales. The test takes about 2 to 3 hours. A medical condition with similar symptoms is [[fructose malabsorption]]. | |||
**In conjunction, measuring the blood glucose level every 10 - 15 minutes after ingestion will show a flat curve in individuals with lactose malabsorption, while the lactase persistent will have a significant top, with an elevation of typically 50 to 100% within 1 - 2 hours. | |||
* Stool Acidity | |||
**Required for a clinical [[diagnosis]].<ref>http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/lactoseintolerance/#diagnosed</ref> | |||
* Stool Acidity | * Intestinal Biopsy | ||
**An intestinal biopsy can confirm lactose intolerance following discovery of elevated hydrogen in the hydrogen breath test.<ref name="Berdanier"> Berdanier, Hargrove, ''Nutrition and Gene Expression''. | |||
* Intestinal Biopsy | |||
CRC Press. 1993. ISBN 0849369614</ref> | CRC Press. 1993. ISBN 0849369614</ref> | ||
* Informal Test | |||
* Informal Test | **Done on someone by having the person follow these steps: | ||
#Drink 2-4 cups of milk on an empty stomach. | #Drink 2-4 cups of milk on an empty stomach. | ||
#For 48 hours abstain from consuming alcohol or any food or medication (may reduce bacterial activity and falsify results) containing dairy in the forms of lactose, whey, or milk solids. | #For 48 hours abstain from consuming alcohol or any food or medication (may reduce bacterial activity and falsify results) containing dairy in the forms of lactose, whey, or milk solids. |
Revision as of 16:41, 27 March 2013
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Laboratory tests include hydrogen breath test, stool acidity test, and intestinal biopsy. Since lactose intolerance is the normal state for most adults on a worldwide scale, and not considered a disease condition, diagnosis is not necessarily required.
Laboratory Findings
- Hydrogen Breath Test
- After an overnight fast, 50 grams of lactose (in a solution with water) are swallowed. If the lactose cannot be digested, enteric bacteria metabolize it and produce hydrogen. This can be detected in the air the patient exhales. The test takes about 2 to 3 hours. A medical condition with similar symptoms is fructose malabsorption.
- In conjunction, measuring the blood glucose level every 10 - 15 minutes after ingestion will show a flat curve in individuals with lactose malabsorption, while the lactase persistent will have a significant top, with an elevation of typically 50 to 100% within 1 - 2 hours.
- Stool Acidity
- Intestinal Biopsy
- An intestinal biopsy can confirm lactose intolerance following discovery of elevated hydrogen in the hydrogen breath test.[2]
- Informal Test
- Done on someone by having the person follow these steps:
- Drink 2-4 cups of milk on an empty stomach.
- For 48 hours abstain from consuming alcohol or any food or medication (may reduce bacterial activity and falsify results) containing dairy in the forms of lactose, whey, or milk solids.
- Monitor for signs of intestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting or severe headache / migraine.
- In presence of these symptoms, lactose intolerance is to be suspected and one should seek medical advice.
References
- ↑ http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/lactoseintolerance/#diagnosed
- ↑ Berdanier, Hargrove, Nutrition and Gene Expression. CRC Press. 1993. ISBN 0849369614