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D-xylose absorption

• Overview
• Risks
• Results

Alternative Names:

Xylose tolerance test

Normal Values:

The value varies depending on the amount of D-xylose administered. Usually the test is registered as either positive or negative. Positive indicates that D-xylose is found in the blood and/or urine and is therefore being absorbed by the intestines.

blood: greater than 25 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) at 2 hours after ingestion

urine: greater than 16% of ingested dose excreted within 5 hours of ingestion

What abnormal results mean:

Lower than normal values may be seen in:

• Crohn's disease
• Giardia lamblia infestation
• hookworm infestation
• lymphatic obstruction
• radiation enteropathy
• small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
• celiac disease (sprue)
• viral gastroenteritis
• Whipple's disease

• Review Date: 3/2/2006
• Reviewed By: Daniel R. Alexander, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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