A lactose intolerance test is the only way to be sure of lactose intolerance. For a diagnosis that is based only on the symptoms is often not clear. Other food intolerances and a number of diseases are similar, which is why it is important to obtain definitive proof. In order to reliably test for lactose intolerance, there are several possibilities. Find out all about the various lactose intolerance test procedures here.
Why should one test for lactose intolerance?
A lactose intolerance (lactose intolerance) manifests itself mostly by flatulence, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea, if the person has consumed too much lactose. If the symptoms are severe, the patients suffer considerably less. The most important step is taken when you see a connection between your complaints with the consumption of dairy products. Then you have it in your own hands to end your discomfort with a lactose-free diet.
However, the relationship between lactose intake and the symptoms is not always as clear. Certainty only brings a test. Lactose intolerance is likely to be the cause of the symptoms if the test result is positive. There is a very quick and easy lactose intolerance test as well as more elaborate methods.
How to test lactose intolerance
To test for lactose intolerance, the doctor has various procedures available for the lactose intolerance test:
- Hydrogen breath test
- Lactose tolerance test (blood sugar test)
- Genetic test
- Small bowel biopsy
Finally, there is a lactose intolerance self-test, which ultimately everyone can do with himself, also called diet / exposure test. For a certain period of time, the affected persons are not allowed to consume any dairy products or other foods with an elevated lactose content (diet). If the symptoms disappear during this period, lactose intolerance is very likely. Clarity then provides a jar of dissolved milk sugar, which is obtained in drugstores and pharmacies (exposure). In the case of lactose intolerance, it would be a short time after taking the typical symptoms again.
Correctly and consistently performed, the lactose intolerance self-test provides a very reliable result. However, mistakes are often made because the diet is not strictly adhered to. Therefore, a lactose intolerance test is still the safest proof in the doctor.
Hydrogen breath test
The test most commonly used to diagnose lactose intolerance is the hydrogen breath test, also known as the H2 breath test. Read more about the procedure in the article H2-breath test.
Lactose tolerance test
One can also use the Blood sugar levels Test for lactose intolerance. This method is an alternative if the hydrogen breath test does not help, but can be used simultaneously with it.
This is how the lactose tolerance test works
People with enough lactase split lactose into glucose and galactose in the small intestine. Both molecules are absorbed and absorbed into the bloodstream. Blood glucose levels can be measured with any conventional blood sugar test. People who are able to digest lactose show an increase in blood sugar after taking milk sugar. On the other hand, if a patient is affected by lactose intolerance, the blood sugar level will not rise because the glucose in the lactose can not be absorbed.
This is how the lactose tolerance test is carried out
As with the hydrogen breath test, the patient will again consume a certain amount of lactose in the form of a special drink. Before and every 30 minutes for two hours after taking the blood sugar level is then measured. Normally the value should rise more than 20mg / dl in the venous blood. If the blood sugar only reaches a maximum of 10 mg / dl, this indicates a lactose intolerance. Another factor in favor of lactose intolerance is when the test person develops typical complaints (abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, etc.) when taking lactose.
Problems with the lactose tolerance test
This lactose intolerance test may be an alternative to the hydrogen breath test, but is less accurate and therefore not the method of first choice. In addition, the measured values can be falsified in diabetics.
Genetic test
A lactose intolerance test based on a genetic analysis is possible but only of limited use. On the one hand, he is not paid by the health insurance, on the other hand, he only recognizes a primary lactose intolerance, not secondary (more precisely under “Causes and risk factors”). But when it comes to finding out if lactose intolerance is innate or just the result of a disease, it can be diagnosed with a genetic test.
biopsy
The removal of tissue samples from the small intestine (small intestinal biopsies) is also an option for a lactose intolerance test. By means of tissue sampling, the activity of the lactase can be checked directly. Although this method is very meaningful, it is rarely used due to the great effort involved (usually only in the context of scientific questions).
As a matter of principle, every lactose intolerance test must take into account whether or not there are any complaints from taking the lactose for the test. If, for example, elevated levels of hydrogen are measured during the breath test, but the patient has no complaints despite taking the lactose, there is no lactose intolerance by definition. Only if at a positive Lactose intolerance test Even if the typical symptoms occur, one can speak of a lactose intolerance.