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$175 Lactose Intolerance DNA Test

Experience discomfort when eating dairy products? Do you feel bloated or get indigestion after consuming foods such as milk or cheese? If the answer to these questions is Yes, then you may need a lactose intolerance test. A lactose intolerance test will establish whether you carry certain a gene mutation which makes you unable to produce the enzyme which helps digest lactose.

Postal and Delivery times are constantly changing. Whilst every effort is made to reduce time where possible this cannot always be achieved due to actions outside our control. The times quoted are from the time the final sample is received.

Please note that prepaid return postage is not included.

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About this Test:

Our test starts from  $175  and results are issued in 2-4 weeks from receipt of your samples at our laboratory.

The inability to digest lactose correctly results in what is known as ‘lactose intolerance’ which is a condition that is quite common in adults. Many Lactose Intolerance sufferers can go years dealing with the many unpleasant side effects of lactose intolerance without knowing why.

This test analyses the LCT gene. The LCT gene encodes the instructions our body needs to make lactase. Lactase works by speeding up the process of converting lactose into more simple sugars. A mutation on this gene makes the individual unable to product enough lactase to break down any lactose ingested. The condition can span different severities which depend on the amounts of lactase produced by their bodies; the range is typically mild, moderate or severe reduction.

Results will help you understand the following:

  1. Whether you carry a genotype which places you at low or high risk
  2. Dietary recommendations, changes in lifestyle and further counselling or advice
  3. Description of what exactly lactose intolerance is and its prevalence in different parts of the world
  4. A complete list of symptoms as well as other conditions that could also have these symptoms.

Collecting samples

This test only requires a simple Mouth Swab sample. Swabs needs to be rubbed inside the mouth for around 1 minute and then returned for testing. Everything necessary for the test will provided inside our kit. Once you have collected you DNA samples, you can send them back to us for testing.

Do you need this test?

If you suffer from any of the following symptoms after consuming dairy products, you may wish to consider this test:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Cramps
  • Bloating
  • Nausea
  • Flatulence
  • Diarrhea
  • Steatorrhea (excess fat in stool)

If you test positive, then you can (with direction from your chosen health professional) adopt a low-lactose or lactose free diet, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Some individuals who are lactose intolerant can keep consuming small amounts of lactose without any problems. We always recommend consulting with your medical professional should you receive a high risk result.

A bit more information about lactose

Any word ending –ose is used in biochemistry to denote the names of sugars – maltose, glucose and fructose are just 3 examples. Lactose is a sugar found in milk.

Lactose is digested efficiently thanks to an enzyme called lactase. Lactose is digested in the small intestine, this organ produces the enzyme required to digest lactose. Once digested, it is broken down into 2 more simple sugars, which are more readily absorbed and better sources of energy:

  • Galactose
  • Glucose

New born babies produce high amounts of lactase in order to digest maternal milk. As the mother weans milk-feeding, natural lactase levels also decrease which results in lactose intolerance. Due to cultural practices that are many centuries old, humans continue to consume milk-containing products for their entire lives. We are, of course, the only mammals to consume milk beyond infancy.

Drinking milk in itself has been shown to provide little to no health benefits later in life. It is considered neither good for you or bad for you.