Test for Lactose Intolerance

There are many tests available for confirming Lactose Intolerance or Lactose Indigestion. These tests are described as follows:

H2-Breath Test:

The Principle behind this test is increase of H2 in respiratory air after lactose challenge. The amount of hydrogen may vary when there is a problem with the digestion or absorption of food in the small intestine. At the start of this test the patient is instructed to blow a balloon and the concentration of breath is measured in a sample of breath removed from the balloon. The patient is then administered a small amount of Lactose sugar and the concentration of hydrogen is then checked again and the pattern of Hydrogen production is interpreted.
This method can be a choice for assessment of Lactose malabsorption and intolerance as it is a low cost method.

            H2-Breath Test - Biovencer Healthcare

Lactose Tolerance Test:

The principle behind this test is increase of blood sugar after Lactose challenge. This test also requires you to take a liquid containing lactose. After some time your doctor takes a blood sugar sample and checks whether the blood sugar level in your blood rises or not and if it does not rises then your body is not digesting Lactose. If the blood glucose level raise less than 20mg/dl within 2 hours of intake then you are Lactose intolerant.
This method is rarely performed due to inferior sensitivity and specificity.

      

 

Lactase activity at Jejunal Brush Border:

The principle behind this test is the enzymatic activity of lactase enzyme in biopsy sample. There exists a significant correlation between brush border Lactase and the maximum blood glucose rise after Lactose intake. This method is not generally used as this is a rare and expensive method.

Stool acidity test:

A stool acidity test may be used for infants and children who are unable to perform other examinations. Undigested lactose fermentation creates lactic acid and other acids that can be detected in a sample of stools.


Therapeutic management for Lactase malabsorption:

In the Secondary form, a temporary lactose-free diet is required until the causative pathological disorder is fully recovered. In Primary hypolactasia, due to the irreversibility of the disorder, a particular therapeutic approach should be considered. Initially, to receive symptom remission, a temporary exclusion of milk and dairy products from the diet should be suggested.