NOTE: This test is ONLY AVAILABLE TO AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS.
The Intestinal Permeability And Leaky Gut Urine Test
Changes in intestinal permeability are associated with many health conditions including autism, autoimmune disorders, food sensitivities and inflammatory bowel disease. This ‘leaky gut’ causes disease because the perturbed intestinal barrier allows toxic molecules to enter the bloodstream and poison the body. Intestinal permeability can be measured using the lactulose/mannitol test. Consider this test for the assessment of intestinal permeability and malabsorption.
The intestinal permeability test which assesses lactulose and mannitol recovery can be used to monitor improvements or deterioration in intestinal permeability as a result of therapy, disease or drug use. Furthermore, the intestinal permeability test has been used to monitor the compliance and effectiveness of a gluten-free diet in patients with Coeliac disease.
The test works on the principle that small molecules (i.e. mannitol) are readily absorbed by the intestinal villi, whilst larger molecules such as disaccharides (i.e. lactulose) are not. These water soluble non-metabolised sugar molecules after penetrating the intestinal tract are excreted into the urine. Under normal circumstances the ratio of lactulose to mannitol in urine is low (i.e lactulose is not absorbed), mannitol is absorbed. When the structure of the intestinal epithelium is jeopardised (‘leaky gut’ is present), the large sugar molecule can permeate the mucosa and is recovered in the urine. In this situation the level of lactulose is increased in the urine and therefore the ratio of lactulose to mannitol is high.
In addition to assessing leaky gut, this test can also help identify malabsorption. If a low level of mannitol which normally penetrates the intestinal epithelium is observed, it may indicate malabsorption of small molecules and possible atrophy of the intestinal villi.
Analytes
- Lactulose (recovery %)
- Lactulose:Mannitol ratio
- Mannitol (recovery %)
Test Method
GCMS (Gas chromatography mass-spectrometry)
Common Conditions:
- Fatigue
- Food allergy and sensitivities
- Gut dysbiosis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Coeliac
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
About The Test
All tests come with full instructions, including a pre-authorised practitioner script.
Home test kits come with everything you need to complete the test, including free express post return postage to the laboratory.
All pathology test kits come with a preauthorised script (including test kit/s if required) to take to your local pathology test centre.
You can click here to find a pathology near you.
Turn-around time: 5 days
About Leaky Gut
Among non-communicable diseases, intestinal permeability (leaky Gut) also called (metabolic endotoxemia) is the number 1 leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide (so take this test now). Metabolic endotoxemia is a condition that stems from dysbiosis and a breakdown of intestinal barrier function. Intestinal permeability is present in most chronic diseases and is believed to be the major driver of many conditions.
| Abdominal recurrent pain | Food allergy & sensitivity |
| Acute brain injury | Growth-faltering infants |
| Acute pancreatitis | Inflammatory bowel disease |
| Aging | Inflammatory joint disease |
| Alcoholism | Irritable bowel syndrome |
| Ankylosing spondylitis | Malabsorption |
| Atopic dermatitis | Obstructive jaundice |
| Autism | Parasitic infection |
| Chemotherapy treatment | Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Cirrhosis | Schizophrenia |
| Chronic heart failure | Trauma patients |
| Coeliac disease | Type 1 diabetes |
Have any questions about this test? Ask one of our qualified health practitioners here.
