Lactose intolerance – test for genetic predisposition
€ 92,00
By simply collecting a small amount of cells from the inside of the cheek, the laboratory can investigate whether there is a congenital lactose intolerance. An intolerance to the milk sugar lactose is caused by a deficiency or absence of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine. In the Netherlands, 5 percent of adults of Western origin have a hereditary form of lactose intolerance caused by a mutation in the lactase gene.
The LACTOSE module determines the genotype for:
- Lactose intolerance
€ 92,00
Description
Lactose intolerance – test for genetic predisposition
Do you regularly experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence or bloating after dairy products? Your body may be less able to digest milk sugar (lactose). This DNA test examines whether you have a genetic predisposition to digest lactose less effectively as an adult.
Some people produce less of the enzyme lactase after childhood. This enzyme helps your body digest milk sugar. Whether your body starts producing less lactase can be determined by your genes. That is what this test examines. The test does not determine whether you are currently lactose intolerant.
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When is this lactose DNA test suitable?
For recurring symptoms after dairy products and when you want to know whether genetic predisposition may play a role.
- You regularly experience abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence or diarrhea after milk or other products containing lactose.
- You want to know whether you have a genetic predisposition to produce less lactase after childhood.
- You have had symptoms after consuming lactose for some time and are looking for additional information about a possible genetic explanation.
- You do not want to eliminate dairy products from your diet unnecessarily without more information.
- Lactose intolerance has previously been considered and you want to investigate whether genetic predisposition may play a role.
- Together with your doctor or dietitian, you want to assess whether additional testing, such as a lactose hydrogen breath test, may be useful.
Why this DNA test?
The test examines whether your genes predispose your body to produce less lactase after childhood. Because your DNA does not change, this genetic predisposition generally only needs to be tested once.
When is another test more appropriate?
If you mainly want to know whether you currently digest lactose less effectively, a lactose hydrogen breath test or a supervised dietary trial may be more appropriate. The DNA test does not measure your current lactose digestion.
Good to know: abdominal symptoms after dairy products are not always caused by lactose. This DNA test can provide additional information, but it does not establish a diagnosis and does not replace appropriate medical assessment.
What do we test?
A small section of your DNA associated with production of the enzyme lactase.
What does the laboratory examine?
The test examines a small section of your DNA that influences lactase production. Lactase is the enzyme your body uses to digest milk sugar.
You receive one of three possible results:
- CC: you have a genetic predisposition to produce less lactase after childhood. As a result, you may have difficulty digesting milk sugar later in life.
- CT: your body will usually continue producing lactase as an adult.
- TT: your body will usually continue producing lactase as an adult.
Important: your DNA result does not tell you whether you will actually develop symptoms after eating or drinking lactose.
Which DNA variant is tested?
The laboratory tests the genetic variant LCT -13910C>T (rs4988235). This is the technical name for the section of DNA examined by this test.
This variant has mainly been well studied in people of European ancestry. In people with a different genetic background, other DNA variants may also play a role in continued lactase production.
What this test does not examine: the DNA test does not measure how much lactose you can currently tolerate. It also does not test for the rare congenital lactase deficiency that is present from birth.
What can the results tell you?
The result provides information about your genetic predisposition, not directly about how you digest lactose at present.
CC result
A CC result means you have a predisposition to produce less lactase after childhood. As a result, lactose may be digested less effectively later in life.
Some people develop symptoms after dairy products as a result, but not everyone with CC has noticeable symptoms. The result does not determine how much lactose you can tolerate.
CT or TT result
With CT or TT, the body generally continues to produce lactase after childhood. A genetically determined reduction in lactase is therefore less likely.
Symptoms after lactose can still occur, for example when the small intestine temporarily or permanently produces less lactase for another reason.
Genetic predisposition does not automatically mean that you are lactose intolerant.
Your genes may cause your body to produce less lactase after childhood. However, how much lactose you can tolerate and whether you develop symptoms varies from person to person.
You can also develop problems with lactose without this genetic predisposition, for example because of a condition affecting the small intestine.
Explanation of lactose, lactase and genetic predisposition
Why some people become less able to digest milk sugar later in life.
What is lactose?
Lactose is the natural milk sugar found in milk and many dairy products. To digest lactose, the small intestine produces the enzyme lactase . This enzyme breaks lactose down into smaller sugars that can then be absorbed.
What happens if you produce less lactase?
In many people, lactase production decreases after childhood. When insufficient lactose is broken down, some of it can pass into the large intestine. There, gut bacteria can process the lactose, which may cause gas formation and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Possible symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence and diarrhea. The amount of lactose a person can tolerate without symptoms varies considerably.
What does your DNA say about this?
Your DNA contains information that influences how your body functions. In some people, their genetic predisposition means they continue producing lactase as adults. In others, production decreases after childhood.
The DNA test determines which predisposition applies to you. In medical terminology, this is called:
- Lactase non-persistence: your body is genetically predisposed to produce less lactase after childhood. This generally corresponds to a CC result.
- Lactase persistence: your body usually continues producing lactase as an adult. This generally corresponds to a CT or TT result.
The test does not tell you how much lactose you can actually digest or what amount causes symptoms for you.
Genetic predisposition is not the same as a current diagnosis. The DNA test also does not examine the very rare congenital lactase deficiency in newborns. This requires other targeted medical and genetic testing.
How does the lactose DNA test work?
A one-time genetic test of your predisposition to continue producing lactase.
- You order the Lactose intolerance DNA test and receive the necessary information and instructions.
- You collect the required material for the DNA test according to the instructions supplied with the test.
- The material is sent to the laboratory.
- The laboratory tests the genetic variant LCT -13910C>T (rs4988235).
- You receive a CC, CT or TT result, with an explanation of what this genetic predisposition may mean.
One-time test: your genetic predisposition does not change with your diet or age. The same DNA variant therefore generally does not need to be tested again. Follow the current instructions for collection and shipping.
Results and next steps
Use the DNA result as additional information alongside your symptoms and dietary pattern.
With a CC result
It is more likely that your body started producing less lactase after childhood. This may explain reduced lactose digestion, but it does not automatically mean that you are lactose intolerant.
You also do not necessarily need to remove all lactose from your diet. The amount of lactose that causes symptoms differs from person to person. Your doctor or dietitian can help determine whether dietary changes or additional testing may be useful.
With a CT or TT result
A genetically determined reduction in lactase after childhood is less likely. Do you still have clear symptoms after products containing lactose? Another cause may be involved.
Discuss persistent symptoms with your doctor. Sometimes additional testing, such as a lactose hydrogen breath test, is appropriate. The DNA test cannot diagnose or rule out a non-genetic lactase deficiency.
For persistent gastrointestinal symptoms: do not assume that lactose is the only possible explanation. Your doctor can assess whether further testing is needed, for example if symptoms continue despite dietary changes.
Frequently asked questions
About lactose intolerance, genetic predisposition and the meaning of the DNA result.
No. This test examines whether you are predisposed to produce less lactase after childhood. Whether you actually develop symptoms also depends on the amount of lactose you consume, the health of your intestines and your individual sensitivity. Additional testing is sometimes needed.
CC means that you have a genetic predisposition to produce less lactase after childhood. As a result, lactose may be digested less effectively. The result does not indicate how much lactose you can tolerate and does not prove that all your symptoms are caused by this. CC also does not mean that you have the rare congenital lactase deficiency.
CT and TT generally correspond to continued lactase production after childhood. A genetically determined reduction in lactase is therefore less likely. Symptoms after lactose can nevertheless still occur for another reason, including an acquired problem of the small intestine.
No. The rare congenital lactase deficiency is a different condition and is present from birth. This DNA test examines only a variant associated with the common decrease in lactase production after childhood. If congenital lactase deficiency is suspected, targeted medical and genetic testing is required.
No. What you eat or drink does not change your DNA. You therefore do not need to remove lactose from your diet for the genetic test. Do follow the current instructions supplied with the test.
The two tests answer different questions.
The DNA test: examines whether your genes predispose your body to produce less lactase after childhood.
The lactose breath test: examines how your body processes lactose at present.
The DNA test therefore provides information about your genetic predisposition. The breath test provides information about your current lactose digestion.
Questions about this DNA test?
Help choosing between genetic testing and other tests of lactose digestion.
Not sure whether a DNA test fits your symptoms or whether another test would be more appropriate? Contact Darmklachten.nl. We will be happy to help you consider the question you want answered and the available options.
Order the Lactose intolerance – test for genetic predisposition
A one-time DNA test of your predisposition to produce less lactase after childhood.
Do you regularly have symptoms after dairy products and want to know whether your genes may be involved?
This lactose DNA test examines your genetic predisposition to produce less lactase after childhood. You can order the test at the top of this page.
Additional information
| Symptomen | Abdominal pain, Chronic diarrhea, Diarrhea, Flatulence, Soft, mushy stools, Weight Loss |
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