D-xylose Absorption Test: Results
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Results
The D-xylose test measures the level of D-xylose, a type of sugar, in a blood or urine sample.
Blood levels of D-xylose are highest about 2 hours after the drinking the D-xylose solution. Almost all of the D-xylose is eliminated from the body in the urine within 5 hours. If the intestines cannot absorb the D-xylose properly, the amount of D-xylose in the blood and urine will be very low.
Many conditions can change D-xylose levels. Your health professional will discuss any significant abnormal results with you in relation to your symptoms and past health.
Normal
Normal values may vary from lab to lab.
Babies younger than 6 months: | Greater than 15 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or greater than 1.0millimoles per liter (mmol/L) (SI units) |
|---|---|
Children age 12 and younger: | Greater than 20 mg/dL or greater than 1.3 mmol/L |
Adults: | 21–57 mg/dL in 2 hours or greater than 1.3 mmol/L |
Children: | 16%–33% of the D-xylose dose is found in the sample. |
|---|---|
Adults: | 16%–40% of the D-xylose dose or more than 4 grams (g) is found in the sample. |
Adults over age 65: | More than 14% of the D-xylose dose or more than 3.5 g is found in the sample. |
High values
High values may be caused by:
- A disease, such as Hodgkin's disease or scleroderma.
- Radiation treatment.
Low values
Low values may be caused by:
- A disease that interferes with the intestine's ability to absorb nutrients (malabsorption syndrome), such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or Whipple's disease.
- Inflammation of the lining of the intestine.
- An infection with a parasite, such as giardiasis or hookworm.
| Last updated: | April 30, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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