D-xylose absorption

Alternative names:

xylose tolerance test

What the risks are:

• excessive bleeding
• fainting or feeling lightheaded
• hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

Multiple tests may be necessary to determine the reason for malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract).

A failure to restrict activity may change test results.

Drugs that can affect test results include aspirin, atropine, indomethacin, isocarboxazid, and phenelzine.

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.