Has anyone had the lactose and fructose breath test on the NHS

Also can you tell me who you see to get it and how long does the test take?

[whiteladder42]

Yes, I have had both of them in the last year. The tests themselves take around 3 hours (take a book) and you have to eat a restricted diet the couple of days before). The lactose one I had at St Marks hospital, Harrow (a specialist GI hospital I was referred to by my local consultant) and the fructose one was harder, I had to be referred through my local hospital to Guys Hospital in London. My dietician was helpful in tracking down places that do the fructose which is less common but I was able to complete the test by post to save me the 5 hour round trip! So yes, even if it's not available at your local hospital, it IS available on the NHS in England-keep trying and keep on top of any referrals because mine went missing and I had to chase them a lot.

[claire6 in reply to whiteladder42]

Hi, I've been told that neither test is available in NHS Tayside although I have heard of someone getting the lactose test in this area. Both docs and two consultants at hospital have said it's not done though.

[Hedgey]

Hi Claire

I am also in Tayside and have suffered nausea for 5 months after eating certain foods. I have been diagnosed with IBS by consultant but wish to have these tests as since cutting out wheat and dairy I have felt a lot better.

[whiteladder42]

It's not available where I live either, hence my referral to a "super specialist" (that's what I call them since it's a hospital that takes referrals nationally) to St Marks-look it up there are probably others like it outside London. Once the consultant there requests you have a test your local area will pay for it. They can also ask for tests to take place at your local hospital instead of travelling hours for a scan or whatever. The fructose breath test can also be done by post which is good because it can be done at your convenience.

[Hidden in reply to whiteladder42]

I live in cannock and my consultant is in Nottingham ,would I have to get his permission for this or would you ask your GP. How do you get the fructose test done by post.

[whiteladder42 in reply to Hidden]

It can vary in different areas. Guys hospital told me they accept referrals from dietician, GP's and consultants, but where I live only consultants are allowed to refer for breath tests so I was passed around a lot but I refused to be fobbed off and made a fuss and got there in the end! It might be easier to speak to your GP and ask if he/she is allowed to refer you, if they can't get them to write a supporting letter to your consultant to help your case. Good luck! Guys were fantastic and once they had my referral they even corresponded with me by email! Top marks to them all round.

[daisie2013]

Yes I had the lactose intolerance test recently in Sheffield through the hospital gastroenterology department via my GP referral. It's quite straightforward but you do have to eat a restricted diet a couple of days before & nothing on the day of the test & it takes a couple of hours depending on how quickly or not the results show.

[rap222]

hi ive had both done at manchester royal,through gp 1st fructose passed with flying colours 2nd lactose failed miserably,but having ibs 2 years i thought i had dropped milky products way before,ive since learnt of dietician same hospital,that most cheap end food are saturated in lactose,,alot of long life type foods are a nono preservatives are a killer,never do soft cheeses and full fat is best,im on and off still,,stress really aggravares me,but hard to control ,

[rap222]

be cautious of the fodmap diet offered by others talk to dietician first,mine laughed at it,and said it wasnt for me,i have found greens aggravate me,,but coffe is my life saver frowned on by dietician but my body loves it remember were all different, i can go weeks then its back ache again that feeling of depression,etc

[Hidden]

You can do a lactose/dairy test yourself by eliminating it completely from your diet for at least 2/3 weeks.

Keep a food diary of everything that you eat first for a week and a complete record of your bowel movements relating to each day. Then eliminate all lactose and dairy from your diet. If you can tolerate soya use soya milk and a soya or vegetable spread (Alpro milk and say Pure spread) for anything that you would use milk or spread for, ie cake making.

Cut out all cheese completely as well - I found that Lacto free milk and cheese did not suit me.

[Oliviasmummy]

I know this is an old thread but thought it would be useful for future reference.

My daughter has just had hydrogen breath tests for fructose and lactose intolerances (both positive) at Nottingham QMC. We were referred by a paedeatrician to a peads gastro consultant at QMC who in turn referred us for the breath tests.

Unfortunately it seems like a postcode lottery :(.

[Flecmac]

Anyone who still wants to know about availability of tests on nhs I enclose link to leaflet I found inline for Nottingham QMC. It does depend on referral from GP and the gastroenterologists opinion!!!

nuh.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc...