Malabsorption Syndrome Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to malabsorption. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician.

• Weight loss
• Abdominal distention and bloating
• Diarrhea
• Flatulence
• Bulky, foul-smelling stools
• Weakness and fatigue
• Swelling or fluid retention
• Muscle cramping

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Your primary care physician may refer you to a gastroenterologist.

Tests may include the following:

• Blood draw—This tests for low levels of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
• X-rays (with contrast material)—The small bowel and pancreas are examined.
• Small bowel biopsy —A sample of tissue is taken in the small intestine and examined under a microscope.
• A 72-hour stool collection—For this test, you are given a high fat diet, and your stools are collected for 1-3 days and tested for excess fat.
• Pancreatic function test—For this test, you are given a dose of a chemical called bentiromide, which is normally broken down into another chemical called PABA by the pancreas. PABA then gets absorbed and makes its way into the urine; a urine test showing low levels of PABA suggests a problem with the pancreas.
• Xylose absorption test—For this test, you are given a sugary solution called xylose to drink, after which samples of your blood and urine are collected over several hours; low xylose levels indicate an abnormality in intestinal absorption.