Do you suspect that you might be lactose intolerant? The Lactose Intolerance Test from GetTested stands out by accurately identifying both hereditary and acquired lactose intolerance—the latter being a condition that can emerge over time.
If you’re uncertain whether your sensitivity to dairy is due to lactose intolerance, an allergy, or another form of intolerance, consider combining this test with our Allergy & Intolerance Test, as dairy can trigger various reactions.
Allergy & Food Intolerance Test
Lab Test
Blood
99.99 USD
Celiac/Gluten Intolerance Test
Rapid Test
Blood
19.99 USD
Food Intolerance 40 items
Lab Test
Blood
69.99 USD
Get 5% off on 2 Lab tests, and 10% off on 3 Lab tests or more.
Get 5% off on 2 Lab tests, and 10% off on 3 Lab tests or more.
The Lactose Intolerance Test by GetTested is a comprehensive test that measures various types of Lactose Intolerance, such as hereditary lactose intolerance and acquired lactose intolerance.
Lactose intolerance arises when the small intestine struggles with processing lactose, the sugar in milk. It’s different from cow’s milk allergy, which requires a distinct approach to treatment.
Though lactose intolerance is mostly harmless, the symptoms can cause significant discomfort. The most common symptoms include:
Lactose intolerance stems from a deficiency in the lactase enzyme, essential for digesting lactose in dairy products. Usually, the lactase enzyme turns the milk sugar, or lactose, into two simple sugars that are absorbed into the bloodstream. However, if you lack lactase, the lactose remains undigested and thus stays in the intestine, where it interacts with normal bacteria. This is what causes the uncomfortable symptoms. Reducing or avoiding lactose often alleviates these symptoms.
Notably, lactose intolerance is rare in children under five. If any stomach issues arise in this age group, it often stems from cow's milk allergy. Accurate diagnosis by GetTested ensures appropriate dietary management.
Primary Lactose Intolerance
Predominantly, this hereditary form is most common in regions like Asia, Africa, and southern Europe. It arises from a gradual decrease in lactase production, typically appearing in late childhood to early adulthood.
The decrease in lactase production normally happens, because children get older and gradually start replacing milk with other foods and drinks. Usually the lactase levels remain high enough to still digest a normal amount of dairy products, but this is not the case with Primary Lactose Intolerance, in which lactase production has massively dropped by adulthood.
Secondary Lactose Intolerance
This type of Lactose Intolerance is a temporary form and can develop from untreated intestinal diseases, infections or bacterial overgrowth. Some of the diseases that can instigate lactose intolerance are celiac disease and Crohn’s disease.
It usually resolves after treating the underlying condition, although it may take some time.
Congenital Lactose Intolerance
Conversely, this rare, genetic condition means the body cannot produce lactase at all. It is a disorder passed down through an inheritance pattern called autosomal recessive. This means both the mother and father must pass on the gene variant for the child to be affected by this disorder. This condition requires a lifelong commitment to a lactose-free diet.
Commonly, people confuse these two conditions. Lactose intolerance is related to the body's reaction to milk sugar, while cow's milk allergy involves an immune response to milk proteins.
Cow’s milk allergy, like other food allergies, happens because the immune system overreacts to cow’s milk. This means that drinking cow’s milk can trigger an allergic reaction. Some of the symptoms of Cow’s milk allergy are similar to the symptoms of Lactose Intolerance, as both can cause digestive problems. However, cow’s milk allergy can also cause symptoms such as skin rash, swelling of the lips, face or skin around the eyes or a runny nose. Cow’s milk allergy is most common in young children. Usually they grow out of it.
To get an accurate diagnosis, GetTested offers both lactose intolerance tests and milk allergy tests.
GetTested conducts two type of tests:
Breath Tests
GetTested's breath test measures hydrogen and methane after consuming a lactose solution. Increased levels in these gases suggest lactose intolerance.
DNA Tests
Alternatively, DNA testing identifies hereditary lactose intolerance but does not confirm active intolerance.
The lactose intolerance test involves collecting breath samples over three hours after drinking a lactose solution, provided by GetTested. For optimal results, it's best conducted on an empty stomach. Subsequently, GetTested's lab analyses your samples, and you receive your results digitally.
Example of Lactose Intolerance Test
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The home test was straightforward with easy to follow instructions. The test result was detailed and clear in its presentation. Also had the opportunity to ask questions about the test result.
Richard
We looked at a lot of companies offering the same services but made the decision to go forward with get tested because the labs are based here in the USA. The process has been very straight forward.
Natasha
There are other providers out there, I have tried 3. Gettested was the fastest and the customer service was the best. I even received my test on the day of purchase delivered by a motorbike courier.
Alan
Absolutely perfect, results came after few days and finally after a lots of times visited GP, we finally know why my son has eczema - he is allergy to carrot. Thanks a lot.
E
I found them to be professional and not too long a wait for results. Helpful with any after questions. Will be using them again if need be. I highly recommend them.
Eileen