Dairy: My gastroenterologist said my lactose... - IBS Network

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woodgut8 profile image
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My gastroenterologist said my lactose intolerance meant the same as dairy intolerance. Was he right? Get conflicting info on this.

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woodgut8 profile image
woodgut8
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9 Replies

I'd say yes really because it's all mainly milk

No, lactose intolerant people can cope with small amounts of milk products like cream and cheese depending on their tolerance level. Dairy intolerant people can't tolerate any dairy products in any amount.

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply to

And lactose occurs in other foods, albeit usually in smaller quantities. There's a case for reading the label and getting further advice - like ask to be referred to a dietician. There may be helpful advice on NHS choices website.

woodgut8 profile image
woodgut8

So why did gastro chap say it was same prob when it isn't? And he wouldnt let me go back to dietician said i could sort it myself. So i may have a dairy problem as well as lactose but don't know how to tell without any testing

You have a dairy free diet for at least 3/4 weeks to see if there is an improvement in you symptoms. ake sure you keep a diary of what you eat when and the symptoms every day

Alpro milk comes in ordinary and almond and rice milk. Pure spread either with soya or sunflower oll and Alpro yogurts either plain or fruit.

Pure spread can be used, as I do, in the same way as any ordinary spread, on bread and in cooking.

There is a real lack of understanding on Food intolerance in the UK especially in the NHS! The most reliable way to tell is by elimination & then reintroduction to find your threshold levels.

I have a really low threshold with lactose as I can't even cope with a lot of lactose free milk (which incidently isn't free of lactose - it has the enzyme lactase added to it which is what enables digestion of lactose although it isn't as effective as the enzyme the body produces). I seem to be ok with small amounts of cream occasionally and butter in very small amounts e.g on toast. Therefore I am not dairy intolerant. Cheese seems to cause controversy as some say it has lactose in it some say it doesn't. Again in small amounts you should be fine unless you are completely dairy intolerant.

happyp profile image
happyp

Lactose intolerant people can't digest the lactose in milk, people with a dairy allergy is a true allergy to the milk proteins, it's an allergic reaction, not intolerance. Those with dairy allergies cant tolerate any form of dairy, those with lactose intolerance may be able to manage small amounts of milk products, as they can often digest small amounts of lactose, they just need the right enzyme which you can actually buy in tablet form. I have dairy allergies

Lizzie461 profile image
Lizzie461

Keep in mind that non-Fodmap foods may also be causing a problem. I find that I can't eat any nuts, seeds, popcorn or lettuce. I've just begun the Challenge phase and I can see that it's going to be a long, slow process.

foxkennedy21 profile image
foxkennedy21

Hmm I'd check that if I was you, no it's not the same, my nephew was born with a problem with dairy which he grew out of. Lactose is similar to having a GLUTEN intolerance, you'd know if you had it, as you'd feel awful every time you had it. I don't know how these doctors differentiate to be honest between an intolerance and an allergy. Good luck discovering what's what if wheat and milk is so bad for us why bother feeding it to us in the 1st place?

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