Question

Lactose when digested, it is hydrolyzed by lactase into its monomers, which are then absorbed by blood. Following are test results from a person done after 2 hours of drinking a lactose rich solution. The blood glucose levels were 80, 110, 140 and 160 mg / dL tested for every 30 minutes. Based on this information does this person have lactose intolerance?

Answer 1

Answer: Based on the information, the person DOES NOT have lactose intolerance because glucose levels significantly increases in normal individuals after a lactose rich meal.

Explanation:

Lactose is a disaccharide carbohydrate which when taken (found mostly in diary products) is hydrolyzed by lactase into its monomers, which are then absorbed into the blood. The hydrolysis of lactose gives glucose and galactose which is carried out by the digestive enzyme lactase. Deficiency of the lactase enzyme gives rise to a disorder known as LACTOSE INTOLERANCE.

The diagnosis of lactose intolerance or lactase deficiency can be confirmed by measuring the plasma glucose concentrations, as in glucose tolerance test, after giving an oral load of lactose rich solution. If the disaccharide (lactose) cannot be hydrolysed, the constituent monosaccharides cannot be absorbed and the concentrations of plasma glucose rise VERY little.

But the fasting blood glucose done after 2 hours of drinking a lactose rich solution showed a typical rise in blood glucose levels which were 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 mg/ dL tested for every 30 minutes. This indicates that the individual does not have lactose intolerance because the glucose gotten from hydrolysed lactose was absorbed and cause a significant rise in blood levels.