Amazingly, just one third of adults can digest milk. An enzyme, ‘lactase’ is needed to digest milk and if your body can’t produce enough you will become ‘lactose intolerant’. Your small intestine is where the lactase enzyme is produced and if it isn’t doing its job, you will not be able to break down such enzymes.
Usually, lactase transforms milk sugar into galactose and glucose, two simple sugars. These are absorbed through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream. However, if the enzymes in your food goes to your colon rather than being digested, the normal bacteria in your colon interacts with undigested lactose and you end up with the symptoms of intolerance.
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Are You Lactose Intolerant?
The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance are:
- Bloating
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhoea
However, these are also common symptoms for other problems and the best way to get an accurate answer on whether or not you are lactose intolerant is to get testing done. The reason we develop these symptoms is that while we begin life with plenty of lactase so we can digest milk, the production drops off as we get older.
However, as people age, the production drops off dramatically, making it difficult for adults to digest milk. This can be due to genetics, commonly found in people of Asian, Mediterranean or Southern European descent.
Because there are so many circumstances and conditions that present with similar symptoms, the only way to determine whether you’re affected by this condition is through testing. While there are a number of test ‘kits’ that claim to be able to detect lactose intolerance, these tests are often unreliable – and not exactly based on solid science.
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Hydrogen Breath Tests
The most effective tests available are Hydrogen Breath Tests (HBT), carried out by a professional like those here at Direct Endoscopy. This test works by analysing the amount of hydrogen detected in your breath. When hydrogen gas is produced from the intestinal bacteria affected by the lactose, some of this hydrogen is absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to the lungs.
Testing positive to a HBT simply means that it’s likely that some or all of your digestive symptoms are likely a result of your inability to digest certain sugars. It’s recommended that following a positive test you seek out a professional dietetic assessment – this will ensure you’re equipped with the best information to manage this condition with ease.
Direct Endoscopy has been helping the people of Melbourne for over 20 years, and we’re pleased to offer Hydrogen Breath Tests for Lactose Intolerance/Malabsorption at any of our three convenient locations, or at our Central Laboratory in Hampton. Our state of the art facilities coupled with our warm and caring staff guarantee you’ll feel comfortable and confident during your time here.
With over 30 years of experience and more than half a million endoscopic procedures performed, Direct Endoscopy is one of Melbourne’s most established providers of gastroenterology and digestive health services. Our specialist gastroenterologists lead the way in colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and capsule endoscopy, delivering accurate diagnosis and advanced treatment in fully accredited hospital settings.
We provide comprehensive care across all areas of digestive health, from bowel cancer prevention and liver disease management to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and beyond.
Specialist-Led. Patient-Focused.
Expert-Led Patient Care
With over 30 years of experience and more than half a million endoscopic procedures performed, Direct Endoscopy is one of Melbourne’s most established providers of gastroenterology and digestive health services. Our specialist gastroenterologists lead the way in colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and capsule endoscopy, delivering accurate diagnosis and advanced treatment in fully accredited hospital settings.
We provide comprehensive care across all areas of digestive health, from bowel cancer prevention and liver disease management to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and beyond.
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What are symptoms of lactose intolerance in adults?
Adults with lactose intolerance may experience symptoms such as:
- Bloating
- Excessive gas
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
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How do I test for lactose intolerance?
Hydrogen breath tests identify whether or not you have lactose intolerance. When lactose (a type of sugar found in certain foods) is not absorbed properly in your small intestine, it moves further down into your large intestine where it then reacts with bacteria to produce an excess of hydrogen gas. This hydrogen gas travels through your bloodstream and into your lungs, leading to higher levels of hydrogen found in your breath.
Before your hydrogen breath test, you’ll be given a small amount of lactose and then have your breath measured for hydrogen levels at regular intervals.
Hydrogen breath tests for lactose intolerance (and also fructose intolerance) are available at Direct Endoscopy.
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How is lactose intolerance diagnosed?
Lactose intolerance is diagnosed based on the level of hydrogen that is present in your breath. This is done by doing a Hydrogen Breath Test. A result showing high levels of hydrogen may indicate lactose intolerance.
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What can I eat if I have lactose intolerance?
Minimize your intake of lactose. Aside from foods containing high amounts of lactose such as dairy products, you should still be able consume a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet. Replacing your calcium and vitamin D intake from dairy foods can be substituted with lactose free alternatives such as lactose-free milk, soy milk, almond milk, and more. A few of the many other lactose-free foods you can eat include:
- Meat, fish and poultry
- Tofu
- Peanut butter, nuts, seeds
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
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What should I avoid with lactose intolerance?
Generally, it is recommended that those with lactose intolerance should avoid consuming large amounts of dairy products as these contain a higher amount of lactose. These include:
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Whey
Some foods like the following may contain small amounts or traces of lactose, so please ensure to check the ingredients on the packaging or try consuming in small quantities first.
- Most breads and baked goods
- Margarine and butter
- Instant soups or packaged mixes
- Breakfast cereals
- Salad dressings
- Sauces
However, each person’s lactose intolerance level is different, and determining your severity of lactose intolerance may require a bit of trial and error – consuming and adjusting certain intakes of foods. So, the good news is that you may not need to cut out lactose entirely out of your diet. Instead, we recommend incorporating lactose foods little by little to determine how tolerant your body is.