Lactose Intolerance Diagnosis

How will your doctor diagnose you with this condition? Learn about the tests, exams, processes, and other information relating to the diagnosis of Lactose Intolerance below.

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How to Diagnose Lactose Intolerance


The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. Often she will recommend a two-week trial period of eating no milk or milk products. If symptoms subside, you will be asked to consume milk products again. If milk causes symptoms to recur, you will be diagnosed with lactose intolerance.

Your doctor may also order some tests, including:

  • Lactose tolerance test-measures the amount of glucose (simple sugar that is created from lactose) absorbed two hours after drinking a high-lactose liquid, indicating how well the body is digesting lactose
  • Hydrogen breath test-measures how much hydrogen is exhaled after drinking a high-lactose liquid
  • Stool acidity test-measures lactic acid in the stool for infants and small children
  • Biopsy of the small intestine-only performed in rare cases, this involves removing and testing a sample of tissue to confirm lactase deficiency


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