Talk to me (slowly) about Cow Milk Protein Intolerance vs Lactose Intolerance

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

DS (14 months) has a cow milk protein intolerance. That's what the consultant has discussed with me, is that the dietician has discussed with me.

But just got a letter from the consultant to DS GP saying that DS is lactose intolerant -- has elevated lactase and other dodgy results in blood/urine test.

So, what's the difference and does it matter?

lactose intolerant means that you lack the enzyme necessary to digest lactose.

protein intolerant means you can't process the proteins.

I allegedly have no lactase, so drink milk with lactase added.

Why is your consultant telling a different story? Seems very odd.

I always thought - and I may well be wrong - that you are generally lactose intolerant, but allergic to the protein (lactose being the sugar in milk, and protein being the, well, protein!), so would think your DS is lactose intolerant. My DD is allergic to the protein. Not heard of anyone being intolerant to the protein.... The difference is in the severity and type of reaction - intolerance being preferable as although you may feel like seven shades of hell, you generally don't end up in A&E or with epipens!

Practically speaking, it does make a difference to you, as you can, for example, buy normal milk with most of the lactose taken out, whereas if its the protein that is an issue, that rules out pretty much all dairy and you would need to use dairy alternatives such as soya/rice milk. I would give him a call to confirm which it is...

Hi my daughter is intolerant to cows milk protein.

As the other have said its very different from lactose intolerance which is based on the sugar lactase found in cows milk, breast milk etc V the very specific protein found in cows milk. They need to clarify for you as it will determine what type of milk she can drink. It is amazing how many GP's and medical professional use them interchangeably.

The medical term for my daughters condition is "milk protein induced enterocolitis syndrome", ( bit of a mouth full). As Misscreosote said, an intolerance rather than an allergy means that the reaction will never be anaphylactic in nature and will not show up on any IgE allergy tests. For my daughter the symptoms start about 2 hours after she has eaten anything with cows milk in. She becomes floppy, lethargic and vomits continually for about 5- 8 hours. Then she is back to normal. Not pleasant at all but less scary than a true allergic reaction.

Hope this helps

Oops, sorry, didn't realise you could be intolerant to the protein as well...

DS is intolerant to cows milk protein, is OK on goats milk and cheese.

If your ds has had his poo tested and come back with a positive result, they've been testing for lactose intolerance. If you've had a skin prick test and/or blood test they've been testing for allergy. As others have said, intolerance can be to protein or lactose (milk sugar). Protein intolerance is similar is symptoms to allergy (but usually milder) and will not show up on an allergy test. Allergy is an immune reaction where the immune system reacts as though something is harmful even though it is not. You need to make sure you are clear as to what your ds has as correct treatment etc will be drastically different between lactose intolerance or milk protein allergy. I have known doctors to get them muddled up, so if you know for certain which your ds has it makes it easier to ask the right questions to your doctor.

guess it might be possible to have both.

Cows milk protein intolerance is often outgrown by age 3 and lactose intolerance can be secondary, often after an infection or because some undiagnosed problem messes up the lining of the gut. A cows milk protein intolerance could be causing temporary lactose intolerance or a lactose problem may have made the consultant think it was intolerance when it wasn't.

For now the sensible thing is probably to keep him totally off dairy products. Take advice about when retests might be a good idea but at least 3 months to let his gut recover.

Thanks for all the advice -- what's so confusing is that initially the consultant referred to his intolerance as a cow milk protein intolerance although suspects DS may also have a severe intolerance stopping short of allergy.

The confusing part has been the recent letter where consultant refers to lactose intolerance.

In any case, DS has gained a kilo in past month since being off dairy...

Hi Dog -

He may well have a co existing lactose intolerance too. From what I have read milk protien intolerance is more likely to have resulted in his symptoms - especially the low Hb and poor weight gain

this is interesting.

btw - in my reading [well, my mate's reading- she is acting as chief research scientist for me] there appears to be a shared intolerance, for some children, between milk protein and beef. Makes sense I suppose. Dunno if you want to look into it more or check out how much beef is in ds's diet should he have any residual niggles after going dairy free - but interesting stuff nonetheless.

Hi Tree!

Can't access your link, which is such a shame....

DS hit the 4th percentile today .

makes sense re: cow meat and cow milk protein. [duh emoticon]. Think I will try this as it makes sense. The dietician suggested replacing cheese as a protein, with lentils. Cheese is such an easy option. Anyway, DS loves fish fingers, chicken and lentils (no jokes, please ) so leaving out beef for a bit isn't a great hardship...

Thanks for the advice

If you cat me I will email the pdf