What is the principle of the Lactose Intolerance Breath Test?
The hydrogen breath test for lactose intolerance provides clinical information about the digestion of lactose, the predominant sugar in milk and diary products. Lactose intolerance refers to the abnormal processing of lactose. Hydrogen and methane gas are produced in the body from intestinal bacteria. Bacteria ferment sugars such as lactose to hydrogen and/or methane gas. Hydrogen and methane are absorbed by the intestinal mucosa, enter the vasculature, and get transported to the lungs. A change in the level of hydrogen and/or methane gas above 20 parts per million is diagnostic for lactose intolerance. The majority, but not all malabsorbers produce hydrogen gas. Approximately 15% of patients are methane producers rather than hydrogen producers. These patients will only be properly diagnosed by measuring methane levels. As a result, each breath specimen is measured by Metabolic Solutions for hydrogen and methane.
