Has anyone been tested to see if they are Lactose Intolerant?

What is the testing like? I am a big weeny but I think I really need to get tested by a doctor to see if I am. Is it bad?

Re: Has anyone been tested to see if they are Lactose Intolerant?

I've never been tested, but I've diagnosed myself as being lactose intolerant! I just take Lactaid before eating anything dairy... and stick to soymilk!

Re: Has anyone been tested to see if they are Lactose Intolerant?

I just googled it... and here's what I found:

How is lactose intolerance diagnosed?

Lactose intolerance can be hard to diagnose based on symptoms alone. People sometimes think they suffer from lactose intolerance because they have the symptoms associated with the disorder, not knowing other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome can cause similar symptoms. A doctor can use tests to diagnose lactose intolerance but may first recommend eliminating cow’s milk from the diet to see if the symptoms go away.

The most common tests used to measure the absorption of lactose in the digestive system are the lactose tolerance, hydrogen breath, and stool acidity tests.

* The Lactose Tolerance Test. This test requires fasting (not eating) before the test and then drinking a liquid that contains lactose. Several blood samples are then taken over a 2-hour period to measure the person’s blood glucose (blood sugar) level. These measures indicate how well the body is able to digest lactose.

Normally, when lactose reaches the digestive system, the lactase enzyme breaks it down into glucose and galactose. The liver then changes the galactose into glucose, which enters the bloodstream and raises the person’s blood glucose level. If, however, lactose is incompletely broken down, the blood glucose level does not rise and a diagnosis of lactose intolerance is confirmed.


* The Hydrogen Breath Test. This test measures the amount of hydrogen in a person’s breath. Very little hydrogen is normally detectable. However, undigested lactose in the colon is fermented by bacteria and produces various gases, including hydrogen. The hydrogen is absorbed from the intestines, carried through the bloodstream to the lungs, and exhaled. In this test, the person drinks a lactose-loaded beverage and the breath is analyzed at regular intervals. Raised levels of hydrogen in the breath indicate improper digestion of lactose. Certain foods, medications, and cigarettes can affect the accuracy of the test and should be avoided before taking the test. People should check with their doctor to make sure they are not taking medications that may interfere with test results.

Re: Has anyone been tested to see if they are Lactose Intolerant?

Thanks, I've been doing some google research as well. I have on occasion bought Lactaid milk but have never completely cut dairy out of my diet. I'm thinking I really need to get checked out to see if I need to do this.

Anyone else that's been diagnosed by testing?

Re: Has anyone been tested to see if they are Lactose Intolerant?

I have self-diagnosed. What I would do is do an experiment for a week or two, where you don't have any dairy products-- see how you feel.

I basically started as an experiment just to see-- and I felt better.

I had gone to a nutritionist after I tried this experiment and she told me that soft cheeses, milk, yogurt and ice cream are the real culprit. If you cut that out-- and still continued to have hard cheeses-- you can try that to wean yourself off.

There are lots of dairy free, soy products out there that are not too bad!

Re: Has anyone been tested to see if they are Lactose Intolerant?

I am Lactose intolerant but its mainly linked to my Irritable Bowl Syndrome. Milk is the worst for me, so I drink soy milk....In the past I cut out all dairy and only had soy substitutes, but in the past two years I slowly have included cheeses and ice cream in my diet, but ice cream has been bothering me lately, so I think I might cut it out again.

I went to a gastro..to be officially "diagnosed"

Re: Has anyone been tested to see if they are Lactose Intolerant?

i self-diagnosed, too. a few years ago, my tummy would start to hurt after i drank a latte. i don't who or when the idea was put into my head to take a dairy pill beforehand but i started doing so and the prob is solved.

Re: Has anyone been tested to see if they are Lactose Intolerant?

I have been tested for lactose intolerance....it is not bad just gross.
I had to arrive at the doctors office and not eat anything. You then have to blow into a tube---looks like a breathalizer (sp?) and get a base number of acid levels in your stomach--somehow they can tell this by your breath. then they have you drink a glass of milk, wait a few minutes--maybe 10 and then blow into the tube again. If your numbers go up they have you drink another glass of milk and then blow into the tube again...you keep doing this--I think I was at the doctors office for atleast an hour. Based on your numbers they will let you know if your are lactose intolerant, sensitive ect....If you have any other questions feel free to ask.