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D-xylose absorption
Definition:
This test measures the intestines' ability to absorb D-xylose, a simple sugar, as an indicator of whether nutrients are being properly absorbed. Alternative Names:
Xylose tolerance test Text Continues Below
How the test is performed:
There are several ways to perform this test. A typical procedure is described below, but make sure you follow the specific instructions you are given. An initial blood and urine sample are taken You are given 25 grams of D-xylose in 8 ounces of water. Blood is collected after 2 hours, and sometimes again after 5 hours. Urine is re-tested after 8 hours. Urine excretion over a 5-hour period is also determined (all of the urine during 5 hours is collected). Urine collection:
Collect a "clean-catch" ("midstream") urine sample. To obtain a clean-catch sample, men or boys should wipe clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the lips of the vagina with soapy water and rinse well. As you start to urinate, allow a small amount to fall into the toilet bowl (this clears the urethra of contaminants). Then, in a clean container, catch about 1 to 2 ounces of urine and remove the container from the urine stream. Give the container to the health care provider or assistant. Thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on your infant. For males, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For females, the bag is placed over the labia. Place a diaper over the infant (bag and all). Check your baby frequently and remove the bag after the infant has urinated into it. For active infants, this procedure may take a couple of attempts--lively infants can displace the bag, causing an inability to obtain the specimen. The urine is drained into a container for transport back to the health care provider.
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