Lactose Intolerance Test

Lactose Intolerance Test

Lactose Intolerance Test

Lactose Intolerance Test

€190.00

Lactose intolerance occurs when you lack the digestive enzyme used to breakdown lactose, the natural sugar in milk and dairy products. Symptoms include bloating, gas, diarrhoea, digestive discomfort and fatigue.

Who can benefit from this test?

Your nutritionist may recommend this test if you have:

  • Digestive issues including reflux, irritated stomach or bowel, distension or bloating, cramps, diarrhoea or loose stools, less commonly constipation
  • Suspected reactions to dairy containing foods
  • Unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or weight loss
  • Other digestive conditions that can lead to damage to the digestive process such as coeliac disease, SIBO and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis or Chron’s Disease

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Lactose Intolerance Test
 

Learn More about our Lactose Intolerance Test

Breath test (in clinic or at home)

The breath test works by measuring the gas production by bacteria in response to lactose ingestion.

A test sample of lactose (a sweet liquid) is consumed. If you do not have the enzymes to break down the lactose, it will travel to your large intestine. When your natural bacteria come into contact with this liquid, they will ferment the sugar and produce gas. This goes into your bloodstream and out in your breath.

This test measures:

  • Hydrogen and methane gas production in by bacteria if they consume the undigested lactose

Goes well with:

  • GI Ecologix
  • SIBO test

Harry, 44, was a diagnosed coeliac that had avoided gluten strictly for over 20 years. He still suffered from bouts of digestive upset, significant bloating, gas and diarrhoea even when he was sure he had not come into contact with any gluten. He carried out a GI Ecologix test which detected a low level of inflammation and some bacterial dysbiosis.

He also carried out a lactose intolerance test as he noted that his symptoms were worse with dairy. He was positive for lactose intolerance and began to use lactose free products and dairy alternatives.

He was following a personalised protocol to improve his overall gut health and found that he could then tolerate smaller amounts of dairy, once his overall diet and lifestyle were good.

Lactose Intolerance FAQ

How can this test help me with my digestion?
The lactose intolerance test assesses your ability to digest and absorb lactose, the sugar found in dairy products. If lactose is not properly broken down, it can ferment in the gut, leading to symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, or nausea. This test provides objective confirmation of whether lactose is a trigger for your symptoms, allowing us to move away from guesswork or unnecessary long-term restriction. With clear results, we can guide a targeted dietary strategy, which may include appropriate reduction, reintroduction, or enzyme support — rather than complete avoidance where not needed. If you suspect dairy may be contributing to your symptoms, book a consultation to determine whether lactose testing is appropriate for you.
I have already done SIBO test, how is this different?
A SIBO test assesses bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, which can cause symptoms like bloating, gas, and altered bowel habits. The lactose intolerance test, by contrast, assesses your ability to digest a specific sugar (lactose). While symptoms can overlap, the underlying causes are different — one relates to bacterial fermentation, the other to enzyme deficiency (lactase). In some cases, SIBO can contribute to temporary lactose intolerance, so understanding both can be clinically relevant. However, they answer different questions, and one does not replace the other.
Should I also do a comprehensive stool test like a GI Map or will this test tell me everything?
The lactose intolerance test is specific to lactose digestion — it does not assess overall gut health, microbiome balance, inflammation, or digestive function. If your symptoms are broader or more persistent, a stool test such as a GI Map is often more appropriate as a first step for a root-cause approach, as it evaluates the gut environment directly. Lactose testing can then be used more selectively, particularly where dairy-specific symptoms are suspected or where symptoms persist despite addressing gut health.