Is lactose intolerance genetic?

[MrsAVB]

Hello all!
I feel a bit of a fraud on an allergy board, when what I really have is an intolerance to lactose which exacerbates an IBS type condition.
My mum and I are both lactose intolerant with it producing the same type of symptoms in us both. I was "diagnosed" first about 4 years ago, with my mum seeking diagnosis (she has had IBS for 20 years and eliminated some trigger foods but not dairy prior to this) about a year after. We both seem to have developed it as adults. We also - probably unrelated - (plus my maternal grandmother) have unusually high calcium levels in our blood.
I am now pg and want to be as informed as possible in preventing any impact on my baby. I was wondering if anyone has been through similar and whether a) eliminating dairy will have any negative impact on baby, b) is baby likely to be lactose intolerant too. I have asked my GP and he has said there is nothing to worry about on a) as long as I'm taking supplements/ replacements, but has no idea on b).
Thanks in advance everyone!
X

Have you both been tested for coeliac disease? If not, I would strongly recommend it given your symptoms and family history.

Lactose intolerance is not hereditary as far as I know and can often be temporary due to other problems in the gut (such as IBS and coeliac disease for example). True lactose intolerance in babies is extremely rare (virtually unheard of). Allergy or intolerance to cow's milk protein is quite common but there is absolutely no reason to think that your baby will have either of these. As long as you are getting plenty of calcium and vitamins in your diet, there will be no impact on your baby. Eating plenty of green leafy veg is a great way to get enough calcium for you and your baby.

Lactose intolerance is much more common in certain countries (71% in Sicily according to Wikipedia) so presumably is heritable.

Here.

Just read the article and it does say that the most common form of lactose intolerance affects adults only so no need to worry about your baby having it.

Thanks ladies! Really hope am not coeliac as that would be an even bigger PITA. I did eliminate wheat/ gluten on drs advice before trying dairy and it didn't seem to make any difference.
X

Dh is lactose intolerant disgnosed as an adult (although aparently was a 'difficult' baby)

DD1 and DD3 both have intolerance symptoms (although different from dh they constipate and bloat where as he is really NOT constipated (he does bloat as well tho') DD1 also appears to have a soya intolerance too.

When we discussed this with paediatricans they do take the familial history into account.

I would still ask for the blood test if I were you as undiagnosed coeliac disease can have serious long term effects. You do need to be eating gluten regularly for 6 weeks before having the test in order to get an accurate result. My DD is coeliac and it really isn't that bad once you get your head around it. Not that much harder than avoiding lactose tbh.

Dh, fil, sil, ds are all lactose intolerant here all three adults have coeliac :( am keeping eye on ds. But seems genetic on dh side of family :(