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VARIOUS › DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS › OTHER DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS › Tests for liver functional capacity
galactose
V04CE01
Forms & Strengths
- Powder for oral solution: 100% galactose
- Diagnostic kit components
Adult Dosing
- Galactose tolerance test: 40 g dissolved in 250-500 mL of water administered orally after overnight fast
- Liver function evaluation: Weight-based dosing per specific diagnostic protocol
Pediatric Dosing
- Galactose tolerance test: 1 g/kg body weight (up to 40 g maximum) dissolved in water, administered orally after fasting
Indications
- Evaluation of hepatic function (galactose elimination capacity)
- Diagnosis of certain inborn errors of carbohydrate metabolism (e.g., galactosemia screening adjunct)
- Diagnostic aid in gastrointestinal malabsorption tests
Mechanism of Action
- Orally administered galactose is absorbed from the GI tract and transported via the portal system to the liver
- In the liver, galactose is rapidly phosphorylated by galactokinase and converted to glucose-1-phosphate via the Leloir pathway
- Measures hepatic functional capacity based on the rate of hepatic clearance and metabolism of a standardized oral or intravenous load
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to galactose
- Classic galactosemia (galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency)
- Severe hepatic encephalopathy where oral challenge is unsafe
- Acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage or obstruction
Adverse Reactions
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal discomfort or cramping
- Transient bloating
Drug Interactions
- None significantly documented that alter the diagnostic utility of a single acute oral challenge, though prior carbohydrate-rich meals can affect baseline test kinetics
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use