A test for intestinal absorption

Summary

• 1. The need for a clinical test of intestinal absorption is demonstrated by data showing that the rate of absorption may be more than doubled in certain experimental conditions having their counterpart in certain diseases of man, and reduced to less than one-half of normal in others.

• 2. The more important factors influencing intestinal absorption are reviewed.

• 3. Requirements for an adequate clinical test of intestinal absorption are discussed.

• 4. The test consists of oral administration of a standard dose of galactose followed thirty and sixty minutes later by determinations of galactose in the blood.

• 5. Normal standards, and the results of the test in 232 patients with various endocrine, digestive, and other diseases are reported. The most important findings are that intestinal absorption: (a) is increased in hyperthyroidism and Paget’s disease, accounting for certain “diabetic” symptoms seen in these diseases; (b) is decreased in myxedema and Addison’s disease, explaining abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism in these conditions; and (c) is usually unimpaired by hypermotility of the intestine or by chronic passive congestion of cardiac origin.

• 6. The fundamental contribution of our work with the galactose absorption test is introduction of the concept that intestinal absorption may be abnormally increased in certain diseases.