galactose tolerance test

galactose tolerance test

n.

A liver function test in which the rate of excretion of galactose following ingestion or an intravenous injection of a known amount is measured.

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galactose tolerance test,

a test of the ability of the liver to remove galactose from the blood and convert it to glycogen. The test, which is used to estimate impaired liver function, measures the rate of galactose excretion after ingestion or injection of a measured amount of galactose.

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galactose [gah-lak´tōs]

a monosaccharide sugar of the aldose group, derived from lactose. d-galactose is found in lactose, in cerebrosides of the brain, in the sugar beet, and in many gums and seaweeds; l-galactose is found in flaxseed mucilage.

galactose tolerance test a laboratory test done to determine the liver's ability to convert the sugar galactose into glycogen. Two methods may be used. The oral method requires about 5 hours to complete, and the intravenous method, which is more accurate, requires about 2 hours. With the oral method, elimination of more than 3 g of galactose in the urine during a 5-hour period indicates liver damage. With the intravenous method, all galactose should have been eliminated from the blood 45 minutes after its injection.

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galactose

a monosaccharide derived from lactose. d-galactose is found in lactose, cerebrosides of the brain, raffinose of the sugar beet, and in many gums and seaweeds; l-galactose is found in flaxseed mucilage.

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galactose 1-phosphate uridylyl transferase

involved in the metabolism of galactose to glycogen. Congenital galactosemia of humans and macropods is associated with a deficiency of this enzyme.

galactose tolerance test

a laboratory test done to determine the liver's ability to convert the sugar galactose into glycogen. Not much used in animals.