Lactose intolerance laboratory findings
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Lactose Intolerance Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Lactose intolerance laboratory findings On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Lactose intolerance laboratory findings |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Lactose intolerance laboratory findings |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mahda Alihashemi M.D. [2]
Overview
An elevated/reduced concentration of serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
OR
Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].
OR
[Test] is usually normal among patients with [disease name].
OR
Some patients with [disease name] may have elevated/reduced concentration of [test], which is usually suggestive of [progression/complication].
OR
There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with [disease name].
Laboratory Findings
- There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with [disease name].
OR
- An elevated/reduced concentration of serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
- [Test] is usually normal among patients with [disease name].
- Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of lactose intolerance include:
- Stool osmotic gap of >125 mOsm/kg due to unabsorbed carbohydrates
- Stool osmotic gap: 290−[(Na+K) × 2]
- Stool pH <6 due to bacterial fermentation of unabsorbed lactose to hydrogen gas in the colon
- [Abnormal test 3]
- Stool osmotic gap of >125 mOsm/kg due to unabsorbed carbohydrates
- Some patients with [disease name] may have elevated/reduced concentration of [test], which is usually suggestive of [progression/complication].
References
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Lactose Intolerance Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Lactose intolerance laboratory findings On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Lactose intolerance laboratory findings |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Lactose intolerance laboratory findings |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [3]
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