Lactose Malabsorption Test
Clinic Test: €190, Home Test: €185
Lactose malabsorption is the failure of the intestine to digest or absorb the lactose sugar. Lactose intolerance is the symptoms that occur as a result of lactose malabsorption.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance can begin soon after eating or drinking lactose containing food or drinks.
The Lactose 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.
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Symptoms of Lactose Malabsorption
Is Lactose Intolerance and Lactose Malabsorption the same thing?
Lactose malabsorption is the failure of the intestine to digest or absorb the lactose sugar. On the other hand, lactose intolerance is the symptoms that occur as a result of lactose malabsorption. However, the word ‘Malabsorption’ and ‘Intolerance’ are often used interchangeably.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance can begin soon after eating or drinking lactose containing food or drinks. Lactose consists of two sugar units joined together. An enzyme called lactase is required to split the lactose sugar into two single units for absorption.
If you do not have enough lactase enzyme, lactose cannot be broken down and it travels to the large intestine. Here the lactose is broken up by bacteria in your colon. The products produced during this process can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, gas, bloating, nausea, stomach pain/cramps, or flatulence.
Symptoms may be mild or severe depending on the degree of lactase deficiency and the amount of lactose consumed.
Lactose Malabsorption Test
The Hydrogen and Methane breath test is used to detect Lactose Malabsorption. This is a simple and non-invasive investigation.
The Lactose 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.
Samples are sent back to GastroLife for analysis.
Is ‘Milk Allergy’ the same as Lactose Intolerance?
Milk allergy and lactose intolerance are often mistaken as the same diseases.
Symptoms associated with Lactose malabsorption is termed Lactose intolerance. However, the word ‘Malabsorption’ and ‘Intolerance’ are often used interchangeably. Lactose malabsorption is the inability of a person’s body to digest the milk’s sugars adequately.
On the other hand, milk allergy refers to the adverse response of a person’s body to milk proteins. Milk allergy occurs due to a hyper-active response of your immune system against the proteins present in milk and other dairy products. The immune system mistakes milk proteins as harmful invaders to your body and launches an immune response to neutralise milk proteins.
What are the different types of Lactose Malabsorption?
In newborn babies with lactose malabsorption, it can occur due to a genetic defect causing a deficiency of lactase enzymes. This is a rare condition termed Congenital Lactase Deficiency. In premature babies, Developmental Lactase Deficiency can cause a temporary lactose intolerance as the small intestine is not fully developed in babies born prematurely.
However, even if you had sufficient lactase enzyme in childhood, its function begins to diminish as people age. This is called Primary Lactose Intolerance and is the most common type of lactose intolerance.
In adults, lactose malabsorption and intolerance can occur as a result of a Secondary Lactase Deficiency. Secondary Lactase Deficiency occurs when injury to the small intestine or certain digestive disease reduces the amount of lactase a person produces. Examples would include coeliac disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. Because lactase is found most abundantly at the tip of the intestinal villi, it is more vulnerable to intestinal diseases that cause cell damage than other sugars.
FAQ
Lactose intolerance refers to the symptoms that occur as a result of lactose malabsorption. Lactose malabsorption happens when the small intestine doesn’t produce enough lactase enzyme to break down lactose, the natural sugar in milk and dairy. The undigested lactose ferments in the gut, leading to symptoms such as bloating, cramps, gas, and diarrhoea.
Common symptoms usually appear within 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming dairy and may include:
- Bloating and abdominal discomfort
- Excessive gas or flatulence
- Diarrhoea or loose stools
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
The most reliable method is a Lactose Breath Test (Hydrogen/Methane Breath Test), which measures gases produced after drinking a lactose solution. Gastrolife offers non-invasive breath testing for lactose malabsorption.
No. Milk allergy is an immune reaction to milk proteins (such as casein or whey), which can cause rashes, swelling, or even anaphylaxis. Lactose intolerance is a digestive issue caused by reduced lactase enzyme activity. They are different conditions and require different management.
It depends on your level of intolerance. Many people can tolerate:
- Lactose-free milk and dairy products
- Hard cheeses (cheddar, parmesan, swiss) which contain little lactose
- Yogurt with live cultures (the bacteria help break down lactose)
- Small amounts of milk with meals
Lactose is mainly found in:
- Milk
- Cream
- Ice cream
- Soft cheeses
- Milk powders, whey, and casein in processed foods
Always check labels – lactose can appear in bread, sauces, soups, chocolate, and even some medications.
Most people can enjoy:
- Lactose-free dairy products
- Plant-based milks (soy, almond, oat, coconut, rice)
- Hard cheeses
- Butter and ghee (very low lactose)
- Non-dairy alternatives (vegan cheeses, creams, yogurts)
Yes. Many people develop lactose malabsorption as they get older because lactase enzyme activity naturally declines with age.
Yes. Primary lactose intolerance is often inherited, especially in people of Asian, African, or Mediterranean descent. Secondary lactose intolerance can also develop after gastrointestinal illness, surgery, or conditions like SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) or IBS.
Primary: Genetic, develops gradually with age.
Secondary: Caused by gut damage (e.g. infection, coeliac disease, SIBO). May be reversible.
Management focuses on:
- Reducing or eliminating high-lactose foods
- Using lactose-free alternatives
- Taking lactase enzyme supplements before dairy consumption
- Identifying personal tolerance levels
Lactose intolerance itself does not damage the gut, but avoiding dairy completely without alternatives may lead to calcium and vitamin D deficiency, increasing the risk of bone loss. Using lactose-free dairy or fortified alternatives helps prevent this.
If you experience bloating, diarrhoea, or discomfort after dairy, it’s worth getting a Lactose Breath Test to confirm whether lactose malabsorption is the cause, rather than guessing or eliminating foods unnecessarily.
Many people with lactose intolerance can still tolerate small amounts (up to 12g) of lactose (about 1 cup of milk), especially when taken with other foods. Tolerance levels vary from person to person with lactose malabsorption.
Yes. While diarrhoea is common, some people experience constipation, bloating, and discomfort due to changes in gut motility and fermentation of lactose.
Primary lactose intolerance (genetic) does not usually go away, but symptoms can improve with diet changes. Secondary lactose intolerance (after illness or surgery) may be temporary and can improve once the gut heals.
The Hydrogen/Methane Breath Test is the gold standard. Stool acidity tests are sometimes used in children, but breath testing is more accurate and non-invasive.
Yes. Some probiotics (e.g. Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium) help break down lactose and reduce symptoms, especially in yogurt with live cultures.
Clinical Based Testing for Lactose Intolerance
Testing for Lactose Malabsorption can be performed with a Lactose breath test.
This is a non-invasive clinical investigation. You will be asked to perform a baseline breath sample by blowing into a sample collection bag. Following this, you are given a lactose testing solution to drink. Breath samples are repeated at regular intervals.
If lactose is not absorbed, it travels to the large intestine. In the large intestine, the bacteria will break up the lactose sugar and gases such as hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide are produced. Hydrogen and methane have a small size which means that they pass easily through the wall of the intestine and into the blood stream. When your blood circulates around your body to your lungs, these gases diffuse out of the bloodstream and into your lungs where the gases are then measured in your exhaled breath samples.
TEST DETAILS
Test Duration: Up to 3 hours
Testing Age: Adults & Children over 25kg in weight
Referral: No referral required
Results: Approx. 3-4 working days
Clinic Test Fee: €190
Home Test Kit Fee: €185
HOME TEST INSTRUCTION VIDEO
TESTING ADVICE
Please note that if you are on a long-term antibiotic prescription, please contact us for testing advice.
PRE-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS
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.
Home Test Kit Contents
✔ 7 x pre-labelled breath collection bags
✔ 14 x blue air stopper caps
✔ 1 x testing substrate
✔ 1 x plastic clamp
✔ 2 x mouth piece
✔ 1 x pre-labelled return envelope
✔ 1 x Test Instruction Book
✔ 1 x Consent Form
SHIPPING AND T&C’S
BREATH TEST PLANNER
Download a timing planner for your Hydrogen & Methane Breath test.
Order your Lactose Home Test Kit today.
