LACTOSE MALABSORPTION TEST

Lactose Malabsorption Test

Clinic Test: €180, Home Test: €175 – FREE SHIPPING (ROI)

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.

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. 

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. 

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 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: €180

Home Test Kit Fee: €175

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.

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