Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Lactulose/mannitol Test For Leaky Gut

Scott Bonner

Recommended Posts

Scott Bonner Newbie
Scott Bonner
Posted

Hi, everyone. I'm brand new to the forum. I have a question for you. (I've searched the forums for a topic that might already have answers to my question, but could not find one.)

Have any of you had a lactulose/mannitol test to determine whether or not you have a leaky gut? I just got the results back from my test, and it's pretty scary. The percentage of lactulose recovered in my urine was 2.45. That's much higher than normal. The percentage of mannitol recovered was 26, which is also quite high. The lactulose/mannitol ratio was .09, again fairly high.

I'm just curious if any of you have had this test done and, if so, how your results compare to mine.

I have not (yet) been diagnosed with celiac disease, but I am almost certain I have it. After elminating gluten (and casein) from my diet 10 months ago, my depression/anxiety cleared up completely. It was amazing. I've been on the paleo diet (lean meat, fresh fruit and vegetables) ever since, and haven't had any problems. Except for eczema and shortness of breath after eating citrus fruits and tree nuts -- and so I've elminated them as well.

I've asked my doctor (a family practitioner) if he can find another lab that will perform this same test. I just want to confirm the results. If confirmed, I guess I'll start looking for ways to heal the gut -- I've heard glutamine, fish oil, and acidophilus are all helpful. Any other treatments you've heard of?

Thanks much!

Scott

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


dlp252 Apprentice
dlp252
Posted

Hi Scott, just wanted to welcome you to the boards. I have not had that test but it seems like something I should look into.

Claire Collaborator
Claire
Posted

I had the test several years ago. I will be having a new test in a couple of weeks.

Glutamine is said to be the best 'gut' healer. It worked for me but I am no longer allowed to take it so I will probably have problems again. Claire

Scott Bonner Newbie
Scott Bonner
Posted
  • Author
I had the test several years ago. I will be having a new test in a couple of weeks.

Glutamine is said to be the best 'gut' healer. It worked for me but I am no longer allowed to take it so I will probably have problems again. Claire

Claire, do you mind if I ask why you're no longer able to take it? Did you develop some type of allergy to it?

Thanks,

Scott

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

I have heard of the test, seems like it is growing in popularity for its ability to measure intestinal effects in individuals w/o classic biopsy or w/o being invasive...

Judyin Philly Enthusiast
Judyin Philly
Posted
Have any of you had a lactulose/mannitol test to determine whether or not you have a leaky gut? I just got the results back from my test, and it's pretty scary. The percentage of lactulose recovered in my urine was 2.45. That's much higher than normal. The percentage of mannitol recovered was 26, which is also quite high. The lactulose/mannitol ratio was .09, again fairly high.Scott

Welcome Scott-

I'm pretty new also 6 months gluten-free and now trouble with dairy and my chiropractor thinks I have leaky gut. still trying to wrap my head around what that is...I'm embarrased to say I don't know what mannitol is??

Can you help me here so I don't have to do a search?

Does the dr have to order the test?

I feel that acidophilus is so helpful for me been taking it for many years.

Thanks much!

Judy in Philly

Claire Collaborator
Claire
Posted

Hope the following will be of help:

Causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome / Intestinal Permeability

• Chronic stress

• Intestinal infections

• Small intestine bacterial overgrowth

• Environmental contaminants

• Excess alcohol

• Poor diet

• NSAIDS and other medications

Testing

The standard test for leaky gut syndrome is the mannitol and lactulose test. Both are water soluble molecules that the body can't use. Mannitol is easily absorbed by people with healthy intestinal linings. Lactulose is a larger molecule and is only slightly absorbed. A person drinks a solution contain both mannitol and lactulose. Urine is collected for six hours and the amount present in urine reflects how much was absorbed by the body. A healthy test shows high levels of mannitol and low levels of lactulose. If high levels of both molecules are found, it indicates a leaky gut condition. If low levels of both molecules are found, it indicates general malabsorption of all nutrients.

Source Open Original Shared Link

This article fails to mention Celiac -i.e. gluten - as a cause of LGS. Big omission!

As you can see here - this test also will show malabsorption - probably more accurately than some of the lab tests do.

A GI specialist can order the test. Some GPs will also - if they happen to know what it is.

Scott: to answer your question: I stopped taking L-glutamine because the glutamates are iffy for people with neurological problems - specifically cerebellar damage. As I have cerebellar ataxia this product was discontinued. In cases of cerebellar damage it is uncertain whether the brain will or will not process glutatmates properly. I am being on the safe side. Claire

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

Read this all--got this article in the newsletter about this mannitol test, good summary: https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=52

Judyin Philly Enthusiast
Judyin Philly
Posted

Thanks so very much Claire and Jen

Judy in Philly :)

  • 8 years later...
mjunewicz Newbie
mjunewicz
Posted

Where can I have the lactulose/mannitol test for leaky gut syndrome performed? I'm in Akron, Ohio, but willing to travel if necessary. My physician told me any gastroenterologist could order this test, then her staff referred me to a gastroenterologist who didn't know this test existed.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Where can I have the lactulose/mannitol test for leaky gut syndrome performed? I'm in Akron, Ohio, but willing to travel if necessary. My physician told me any gastroenterologist could order this test, then her staff referred me to a gastroenterologist who didn't know this test existed.

Just an FYI - this thread is from 2006. I don't think any of these members have been on in a few years.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Ginger38
      - Ginger38 replied to Ginger38's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      4

      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      It has been the most terrible illness ever! Going on 3 weeks now… I had chicken pox as a kid… crazy how much havoc this dormant virus has caused after being reactivated! No idea what even caused it to fire back up. I’m scared this pain and sensitivity is just never going to improve or go away
    2. Mari
      - Mari replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      18

      My only proof

      OKJmartes. Skin and eyes. Also anxiety and frustration. I have read that Celiacs have more skin problems than people who do not have Celiacs. I take increased levels of Vit. D3, very high levels of B12 and an eating part of an avocado every day. KnittyKitty and others here can add what they take for skin health. A Dermatologist might identify the type of...
    3. Ginger38
      - Ginger38 replied to Xravith's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      I refused to do the gluten challenge for a long time because I knew how sick I would be: I have always had and still have positive antibodies and have so many symptoms my GI was 💯 sure I would have a positive biopsy. I didn’t want to make myself sick to get a negative biopsy and be more confused by all this. He couldn’t guarantee me a negative biopsy meant ...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Xravith's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      It's completely understandable to struggle with the gluten challenge, especially when it impacts your health and studies so significantly. Your experience of feeling dramatically better without gluten is a powerful clue, whether it points to celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It's very wise of you and your doctor to pause the challenge until...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to emzie's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      2

      Stomach hurts with movement

      It's smart that you're seeing the gastroenterologist tomorrow. While it's possible this is a severe and persistent inflammatory reaction to gluten, the fact that the pain is movement-dependent and localized with tenderness is important for your specialist to hear. It could indeed be significant inflammation, but it's also worth ruling out other overlapping...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,467
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Mike G Army EOD
    Newest Member
    Mike G Army EOD
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Ginger38
      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      By Ginger38 · Posted

      It has been the most terrible illness ever! Going on 3 weeks now… I had chicken pox as a kid… crazy how much havoc this dormant virus has caused after being reactivated! No idea what even caused it to fire back up. I’m scared this pain and sensitivity is just never going to improve or go away 
    • Mari
      My only proof

      By Mari · Posted

      OKJmartes. Skin and eyes. Also anxiety and frustration. I have read that Celiacs have more skin problems than people who do not have Celiacs. I take increased levels of Vit. D3, very high levels of B12 and an eating part of an avocado every day. KnittyKitty and others here can add what they take for skin health. A Dermatologist might identify the type of skin condition. By eyes you may mean eyesight problems not just irritated, red eyes. It is not very difficult to get a diagnosis of which eye condition is affecting your vision but much more difficult to find an effective remedy. The ophthalmologists I have seen have been only a little helpful. There seems to have been some advances in eye treatments that most of them are completely ignorant of or just won't add to their treatment plans.  Forcertain you may as well buy some remedy from a facebook ad but that is obviously risky and may actually damafe your eyes. However it is known that certain supplements , taken at the effectivelevels do help with eyesight. Two of them are Luten and zanthamin (spelling?)and certain anti-oxidants such as bilberry..    Hope this helps.
    • Ginger38
      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      By Ginger38 · Posted

      I refused to do the gluten challenge for a long time because I knew how sick I would be: I have always had and still have positive antibodies and have so many symptoms my  GI was 💯 sure I would have a positive biopsy. I didn’t want to make myself sick to get a negative biopsy and be more confused by all this.  He couldn’t guarantee me a negative biopsy meant no celiac bc there may not be damage yet or it’s possible to miss biopsies where there’s damage but he was so sure and convinced me I needed that biopsy I went back on gluten. It was a terrible experience! I took pictures of the bloating and swelling and weight gain during the challenge. I gained 9 pounds, looked pregnant, was in pain , couldn’t work or function without long naps and the brain fog was debilitating. And in the end he didn’t get a positive biopsy… so I wish I had never wasted my time or health going through it. I haven’t been truly straightened  out since and I am currently battling a shingles infection at 43 and I can’t help but wonder if the stress I put my body under to try and get an official diagnosis has caused all this. Best of luck to you - whatever you decide. It’s not a fun thing to go through and I still don’t have the answers I was looking for 
    • Scott Adams
      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's completely understandable to struggle with the gluten challenge, especially when it impacts your health and studies so significantly. Your experience of feeling dramatically better without gluten is a powerful clue, whether it points to celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It's very wise of you and your doctor to pause the challenge until your holidays, prioritizing your immediate well-being and exams. To answer your questions, yes, it is possible for blood tests to be negative initially and become positive later as the disease progresses, which is why the biopsy remains the gold standard. Many, many people find the gluten challenge incredibly difficult due to the return of debilitating symptoms, so you are certainly not alone in that struggle. Wishing you the best for your exams and for obtaining clearer answers when you're able to proceed.
    • Scott Adams
      Stomach hurts with movement

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's smart that you're seeing the gastroenterologist tomorrow. While it's possible this is a severe and persistent inflammatory reaction to gluten, the fact that the pain is movement-dependent and localized with tenderness is important for your specialist to hear. It could indeed be significant inflammation, but it's also worth ruling out other overlapping issues that can affect those with celiac disease. Is it possible you got some gluten in your diet somehow? This could be a possible trigger. Hopefully, tomorrow's appointment will provide clearer answers and a path to relief so you can get back to your lectures and enjoy your weekend. Wishing you all the best for the consultation.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.