QUESTIONS?

[tummyache]

I have some questions:

What kind of doctor knows about HFI and tests for it?

Is it worth doing a DNA test or is there still too much unknown?

Can HFI cause intestinal swelling?
What about inside mouth blistering on contact with sugars?
Migraine headaches?

Anyone else have a "flat curve" glucose 4-5 hr test?

[Fred]

Hi tummyache

As for a doctor, a Gastroenterologist is usually the one to do a fructose challenge test. However, I was diagnosed by a Endocrinologist using that same method and a liver biopsy.

As for the DNA test, if you get a negative result it doesn't mean you don't have HFI. My DNA test was negative.

I can't comment on the intestinal swelling, mouth blistering or migraine headaches.

However I did have a glucose challenge test that was was flat curve which it would be for HFI. The fructose challenge was anything but flat curve and it was done twice.

[charlie]

Hi Tummyache,

as Fred has said (and trust me I think this guest is an expert on the subject!) a gastroenterologist would be your first step. But, finding one that knows about HFI is the hardest bit. If you need a diagnosis for insurance purposes then you need to pursue it, but be careful if offered the fructose breath challenge test as this could make you seriously ill if you have HFI. And the DNA test isn't always conclusive due to mutations. If you don't have any luck medically then do an elimination diet, that's what I did for Megs in the end, and took her off all fruit, veg and sugar and life improved. When I gave her some again life got worse - sort of proved it really.

If you have intestinal swelling however then you may have severe fructose malabsorption which is and isn't a similar condition but it causes more intestinal problems as the fructose doesn't get absorbed through the bowel wall so it ends up drawing in water and bubbling away causing diarhea and bloating. The diet isn't as restrictive as HFI in some ways but means you can't have wheat either.

Anyway, good luck.

[ukbill]

If I get anyway near some artificial sweeteners my mouth ulcerates like I have taken a mouth full of caustic soda!

Don't ask me how I know about strong caustic soda solution I used to be a lab technician OK? ..

In both cases I was very lucky not to swallow.

I know about the artificial sweeteners because my doctor could not get the natural form of Psyllium Ispaghula Husk and had me try the orange flavoured version.

Not nice!