West Midlands
Lactose/Dairy Intolerance Testing
Lactose intolerance occurs when your body struggles to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. This happens due to a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose. When lactose isn’t properly digested, it can lead to uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, gas, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and nausea after consuming dairy. While lactose intolerance isn’t an allergy, it can still cause significant discomfort. Fortunately, managing it is possible by reducing or avoiding dairy or using lactase supplements.
Cost
- Focused GP appointment (15min) £75
- Standard GP appointment (30min) £120
Causes of lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance can develop due to several factors:
- Genetics: Some people naturally produce less lactase as they age, particularly in certain ethnic groups such as African, Asian, and Hispanic populations.
- Primary lactase deficiency: This common form occurs when lactase production decreases over time, usually becoming noticeable in adolescence or adulthood.
- Secondary lactase deficiency: Resulting from damage to the small intestine caused by conditions such as coeliac disease or Crohn’s disease, or from treatments like chemotherapy. In these cases, lactose intolerance may be temporary.
- Congenital lactase deficiency: A rare genetic condition where babies are born with little or no lactase enzyme, causing symptoms soon after birth.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance can cause a variety of digestive symptoms, which typically occur after consuming milk or dairy products. These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to more severe gastrointestinal issues, depending on how much lactose you’ve consumed and your body’s ability to digest it. Common symptoms include:
– Bloating: A feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen, often accompanied by discomfort.
– Gas: Excess gas is produced as undigested lactose ferments in the colon, leading to flatulence and a gurgling stomach.
– Stomach cramps: Painful cramps or spasms in the abdominal area are common as the digestive system struggles to process lactose.
– Diarrhoea: The fermentation of lactose by gut bacteria can cause loose, watery stools.
– Nausea: Some individuals may feel queasy or nauseous after consuming dairy, especially in larger quantities.
– Abdominal pain: General discomfort in the stomach area, ranging from mild to severe, can develop as the body reacts to undigested lactose.
These symptoms usually appear within 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming lactose-containing foods and can vary depending on the individual’s level of lactase deficiency. It’s important to note that lactose intolerance is not the same as a dairy allergy, as it doesn’t involve the immune system, but the symptoms can still significantly impact daily life.
How lactose intolerance is diagnosed
At OneMedicine, we use several methods to diagnose lactose intolerance accurately. We start with a discussion about your medical history and symptoms, focusing on digestive issues like bloating, gas, and discomfort after consuming dairy.
In some cases, we may suggest an elimination diet, where you temporarily avoid lactose-containing foods to see if your symptoms improve.
For further testing, we offer the lactose tolerance blood test, now infrequently used and the hydrogen breath test. The blood test measures your body’s ability to digest lactose, while the breath test checks for high hydrogen levels, indicating undigested lactose.
Hydrogen Breath Test
The hydrogen breath test is a non-invasive way to diagnose lactose intolerance. After fasting, you drink a lactose solution, then provide breath samples every 15–30 minutes for 2–3 hours.
If you’re lactose intolerant, undigested lactose ferments in the gut, producing hydrogen, which is detected in your breath. A rise in hydrogen levels suggests lactose malabsorption.
For infants and young children, we may use a stool acidity test to check for undigested lactose in their system. Genetic testing may also be used to identify specific variations linked to lactose intolerance, though it’s less commonly needed.
These tests help us confirm lactose intolerance and guide you toward effective management.
Do you have other questions?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of lactose intolerance, contact us at OneMedicine to schedule a consultation. Our team will assess your symptoms and help you find effective ways to manage your condition and maintain a balanced diet.
