FRUCTOSE MALABSORPTION TEST

Fructose Malabsorption Test

Clinic Test: €190, Home Test: €185

Fructose malabsorption occurs when the small intestine fails to fully absorb this sugar.

Some people can tolerate more fructose than others, so symptom severity can differ depending on the amount of fructose consumed.

Symptoms include bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, or abdominal cramps. People with Coeliac disease and IBS are at a higher risk of suffering from fructose intolerance.

The Fructose Malabsorption test can be done either in one of our clinic locations or the test can be perfomed at home using a home testing kit.

Fructose can be present naturally in foods such as fruit and some vegetables, or found in many processed foods and drinks. Foods that contain fructose include oranges, apples, mangos, pears, prunes, melons, raisins, honey and fruit juices. Fructose malabsorption occurs when the small intestine fails to fully absorb this sugar. As a result, fructose is transported to the colon where it is broken down by bacteria in the colon. Hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide gases are produced as a result of this malabsorption.

Some people can tolerate more fructose than others, so symptom severity can differ depending on the amount of fructose consumed. Symptoms include bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, or abdominal cramps. People with Coeliac disease and IBS are at a higher risk of suffering from fructose intolerance. The Hydrogen and Methane breath test measures the gases produced by the bacteria in the colon to determine if the fructose sugar has not been absorbed properly in the intestine.

Testing is simple and non-invasive. This investigation is a clinical based diagnostic test that can be performed at home or else in one of our clinic locations. You will be sent out a full kit with easy to follow instructions.

No blood samples are necessary for this test, only breath samples are required at timed intervals after consuming a sweetened drink.

People often wonder how a breath sample can provide so much clinical information from the intestine but its quite simple. When the sweetened drink passes through your digestive tract, different gases are produced depending on the reaction it has with your digestive system. These gases pass out of of your gut and into you blood system. When your blood makes its way back to your lungs and you breath out, these gases are detected.

Test Duration: Up to 3 hours

Testing Age: Over 16

Referral: No referral required

Results: Approx. 3-4 working days

Clinic Test Fee: €190

Home Test Kit Fee: €185

Please note that if you are on a long-term antibiotic prescription, please contact us for testing advice.

A pre-procedure instruction sheet can be viewed by clicking the link below. This should be viewed and adhered to upon booking your appointment to ensure accurate results.