Are you lactose intolerant?
Answer 6 quick questions about how your body reacts to dairy. You'll get a personalised read on whether lactose could be behind your symptoms and what to do next.
Takes about 2 minutes · No email required · Not a medical diagnosis
This quiz is for general guidance only and is not a medical diagnosis. If symptoms are severe or persistent, please see your GP.
Your questions, answered
Everything you might be wondering before you buy.
Can a quiz tell me if I'm lactose intolerant?
A quiz can't diagnose lactose intolerance, but it can help you spot patterns. It looks at your symptoms, when they appear and which foods trigger them, to suggest whether lactose might be the cause. If your results point towards lactose intolerance, speak to your GP to confirm it and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as IBS, coeliac disease or a milk allergy.
What are the most common symptoms of lactose intolerance?
The most common symptoms are bloating, gas, stomach cramps, rumbling and diarrhoea, and some people also feel nauseous. Symptoms usually appear between 30 minutes and a few hours after eating or drinking dairy. How severe they are generally depends on how much lactose you've eaten.
How is lactose intolerance diagnosed?
GPs usually diagnose lactose intolerance by looking at your symptoms and asking you to cut out lactose for a couple of weeks to see if things improve. Sometimes they also use a hydrogen breath test, which measures the gas your gut produces after you drink a lactose solution. They may also run tests to rule out other conditions such as coeliac disease.
Can I test for lactose intolerance at home?
You can get a useful indication at home by keeping a food diary and noting how you feel after dairy. Some people try cutting out lactose for two weeks and then reintroducing it to see if symptoms return. A home test like this isn't a formal diagnosis, so share your findings with your GP, especially if your symptoms are severe or ongoing.
What should I do if my quiz results suggest lactose intolerance?
If your results point towards lactose intolerance, start by confirming it with your GP. Once you know lactose is the cause, you don't necessarily have to give up dairy. Many people manage well by choosing lower-lactose foods like hard cheese, or by taking a lactase supplement with dairy meals
