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Lactose Tolerance Test Center - Midland, TX

Midland Gastroenterologist Doctors for Lactose Tolerance Test

Type of Physician: Gastroenterologist

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated.

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Common Name: GI Doctor

Gastroenterologist Doctors in Midland *

Alma Ramos MD
Alma Ramos
1706 W Texas Ave
Midland, TX 79701
(432) 620-9797

Mrunal C Patel MD
Mrunal C Patel
4214 Andrews Hwy
STE 203
Midland, TX 79703
(432) 697-1000

Govind B Patel
Govind B Patel
4214 Andrews Hwy
STE 203
Midland, TX 79703
(432) 697-1000

Permain Gastroenterology Associates LLP
Ravikumar P Vemuru
315 E 5th St
Odessa, TX 79761
(432) 333-3433

Midland, Texas

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Lactose Tolerance Test

What is the lactose tolerance test?

The lactose tolerance test is a test for diagnosing an intolerance of ingested lactose. Lactose intolerance is a genetic condition in which individuals are unable to digest and absorb the lactose sugar in cow's milk.

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest the sugar in milk, lactose. Milk is an important source of nutrition for children and even some adults. With normal lactose tolerance, all of the lactose is broken down (digested) in the intestine by an enzyme into two smaller sugars (galactose and glucose) which then are absorbed into the body. As a result, normally no lactose reaches the colon.

On the other hand, in individuals with lactose intolerance who lack the intestinal enzyme that breaks down the lactose, the ingested lactose is neither digested nor absorbed in the small intestine and reaches the colon where it is used by the bacteria in the colon. The bacteria produce chemicals that cause diarrhea, and also produce gas. Abdominal pain also may occur.

How is the lactose tolerance test done?

The lactose tolerance test requires an individual to drink a liquid that contains lactose. In the small intestine among lactose tolerant individuals, the ingested lactose is split into galactose and glucose which then are absorbed from the intestine and go into the blood. Several blood samples are taken over a two hour period following the ingestion of the lactose to measure the blood glucose level. If lactose tolerance is normal, the glucose level in the blood rises due to the absorption of glucose from the intestine. If there is lactose intolerance, the glucose level does not rise.

What other tests can detect lactose intolerance?

Other tests used to detect lactose intolerance include the lactose hydrogen breath test and stool acidity te...

Recommended Reading Related to Lactose Tolerance Test

Colonoscopy »

What is colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables an examiner (usually a gastroenterologist) to evaluate the inside of the colon (large intestine or large bowel). The colonoscope is a four foot long, flexible tube about the thickness of a finger with a camera and a source of light at its tip. The tip of the colonoscope is inserted into the anus and then is advanced slowly, under visual control, into the rectum and through the colon usually as far as the cecum, which is the first part of the colon.

Why is colonoscopy done?

Colonoscopy may be done for a variety of reasons. Most often it is done to investigate the cause of blood in the stool, abdominal pain, diarrhea, a change in bowel habit, or an abnormality found on colonic X-rays or a computerized axial tomography (CT) scan. Individuals with a previous history of polyps or colon cancer and certain individuals with a family history of some types of non-colonic canc...

Emergency Contact for Midland

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Midland Hospitals *

Midland Memorial Hospital
2200 W Illinois Ave
Midland, TX 79701
(432)685-1111

Midland Memorial Hospital West Campus
4214 Andrews Hwy
Midland, TX 79703
(432)522-2273

HEALTHSOUTH Midland Rehabilitation Hospital
1800 Heritage Blvd
Midland, TX 79707
(432)520-1600

Martin County Hospital District
610 N St Peter St
Stanton, TX 79782
(432)756-3345

Desert Springs Medical Center
3300 S FM 1788
Midland, TX 79706
(432)563-1200

Odessa Regional Medical Center East Campus
515 N Adams Ave
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)582-8002

Odessa Regional Medical Center West Campus
520 E 6th St
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)582-8000

Medical Center Hospital Odessa
500 W 4th St
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)640-4000

Regency Hospital of Odessa
500 W 4th St
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)552-4000

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