What do the results mean?
If your results showed lower than normal amounts of xylose in the blood or urine, it may mean you have a malabsorption disorder, such as:
Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes a serious allergic reaction to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.
Crohn's disease, a condition that causes swelling, inflammation, and sores in the digestive tract
Whipple disease, a rare condition that prevents the small intestine from absorbing nutrients
Low results may also be caused by an infection from a parasite, such as:
Hookworm
Giardiasis
If your xylose blood levels were normal, but urine levels were low, it may be a sign of kidney disease and/or malabsorption. You may need more tests before your provider can make a diagnosis.
If you have questions about your results or your child's results, talk to your health care provider.
