Malabsorption Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, Tests, and Management

Malabsorption and malnutrition sound similar. Nonetheless, they are different. Malabsorption is a digestive disorder that can lead to malnutrition. This disorder can affect your body’s ability to absorb nutrients from the food. This may lead to malnutrition, muscle weakness, unexplained weight loss, and recurring infections. To prevent this, there are various treatments and lab tests for malabsorption. This guide will provide you with how to treat malabsorption, its causes, and the best lab tests for malabsorption. So, let’s get started. 

What is Malabsorption Syndrome? 

Malabsorption's meaning is clear from its word,’ the inability to observe nutrients.’ It is a condition that prevents your body from absorbing nutrients through the small intestine. 

Experts also refer to this as an umbrella term for various disorders that affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food. These disorders may lead to indigestion, digestive issues, and even malnutrition. 

The digestion process involves three main parts. 

• Breakdown of food into digestible pieces.

• Absorbing nutrients in your food.

• Eliminating the leftover waste after absorbing the good stuff.

Malabsorption can occur in any of these three stages but is most common in the second stage. People with malabsorption syndrome may experience diarrhea, which can cause side effects like gastrointestinal distress. Gastrointestinal distress is a set of digestive disorders. There are various causes of malabsorption. 

Also, read https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/web-stories/5-warning-signs-of-an-unhealthy-gut/ 

Do You Know? 

Lactose malabsorption affects 66% and 27.4% of Southern and Northern India, respectively. However, it affects approximately 68% of the world’s population globally. 

4 Major Causes of Malabsorption 

Various factors can cause malabsorption, including damage to infections, diseases, and developmental issues. Certain specific causes of malabsorption are damage to the small intestine, liver, gallbladder disease, lymphatic system diseases, and food intolerance. 

• Damage in the Small Intestine

Malabsorption syndrome can occur because of damage in your small intestine. The small intestine is the intestine, where most of your nutrient gets absorbed. The mucus lining of these intestinal walls works for the absorption and secretion of digestive enzymes into your blood. However, damage, disease, or inflammation in the mucous membrane can damage your small intestine. It can be acute, severe, or chronic. 

Malabsorption causes in the small intestine include: 

• Autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease 
• Infectious diseases such as tropical sprue and Whipple’s disease
• Overconsumption of medications or certain drugs
• Alcohol use disorder
• Cancer treatment; radiation therapy and chemotherapy
• Short bowel syndrome 
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) 
• Overproduction of stomach acid like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome 
• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis 

• Pancreas, Liver, and Gallbladder Disease 

The pancreas, liver, and gallbladder work with the small intestine to break down food. Disease or infection in these organs can affect the small intestine, leading to malabsorption syndrome. 

This damage can happen because of pancreatic insufficiency, bile duct blockages, liver disease, gallbladder disease, and cystic fibrosis.

• Lymphatic System Disease

Lymphatic system disease can block lymph vessels and affect fat absorption. The small intestine absorbs fats in the blood through lymph vessels. Lymphoma and intestinal lymphangiectasia, which causes lymph vessels to swell, are two major causes of malabsorption syndrome. 

• Food Intolerance 

Studies found that 26.5% of adults and 19.9% of children in India are sensitized to at least one food. Food intolerance is a major cause of malabsorption syndrome. However, sometimes, people lack the necessary enzymes to break down certain nutrients. 

Celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, Crohn’s disease, and short bowel syndrome are some major causes of malabsorption in adults.

Studies have found the prevalence of these causes of malabsorption syndrome (MAS) in India. Here is a breakdown of it: 

Disease	Prevalence in India
Celiac disease	65%
Tropical Sprue	22%
Cyclosporiasis	3%
Crohn’s disease	2%
Common Variable Immunodeficiency	2%
Lymphangiectasia	1%
William’s Syndrome	1%
Idiopathic Malabsorption	3%

8 Major Symptoms of Malabsorption Syndrome 

Malabsorption syndrome is a digestive disorder that initially causes indigestion. However, major malabsorption symptoms can appear later. These include

• Abdominal pain 
• Bloating 
• Gas 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Abdominal distension 
• Fatty stools or steatorrhea

Macronutrient malabsorption symptoms can appear like: 

• Unintentional weight loss 
• Easy bruising 
• Dry skin and skin lesions 
• Dry hair 
• Hair loss 
• Frequent infections 
• Muscle weakness 
• Dehydration 
• Swelling with fluid (Edema) 
• Weakness or lightheadedness (anemia) 
• Skipped periods in women (Amenorrhea) 
• Delay in the growth of children. 
• Fatigue 
• Irritability 
• Apathy 

Micronutrient undernutrition can appear as: 

• Night blindness
• Bone pain and weak bones
• Bleeding gums and nosebleeds 
• Sore and red tongue 
• Weakness, dizziness, and paleness 

6 Best Lab Tests for Malabsorption Syndrome 

65% of adults in India are dealing with chronic diarrhea and malabsorption. Early detection of malabsorption syndrome can prevent major health complications such as nutritional deficiencies. Various lab tests for malabsorption can diagnose malabsorption by identifying nutrient deficiencies or measuring fat in stool. A malabsorption test panel includes, 

• Hydrogen Breath Test 

A hydrogen breath test can help diagnose carbohydrate malabsorption and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). 

The testing process involves measuring the amount of hydrogen gas in your breath after you drink a sugar solution and breath into a breathalyzer machine. This malabsorption test can diagnose specific carbohydrates; lactose, fructose, sucrose, glucose, or sorbitol. 

• Stool Tests

Malabsorption syndrome is a digestive disorder that causes malnutrition. The malabsorption. It can measure t is a stool test that measures your stool to diagnose fat malabsorption and reveals parasitic infections. 

Stool tests for malabsorption are also known as ‘fecal fat tests’; they are reliable ways to diagnose malabsorption. Redcliffe Labs offers a ‘gut microbiome test,’ which analyzes the microorganisms in the digestive tract and identifies imbalances affecting the immune system, digestion, and overall health. 

• Blood Tests 

Blood lab tests for malabsorption can specifically locate nutrient deficiencies and protein levels in the blood, which are caused by malabsorption and health conditions such as celiac disease. Numerous blood tests can diagnose malabsorption syndrome. 

• Prothrombin Time Test 
• Complete Blood cell Count (CBC) Test 
• Electrolyte Balance Test 
• Iron Test 
• Total Protein Test 
• Ceruloplasmin Test 
• High Sensitivity Troponin T Test 
• C-Reactive Protein Test (CRP) 

Prevent serious health complications by booking the blood lab test for malabsorption from Redcliffe Labs. The test is affordable and offers a home sample collection service. 

• Sweat Test 

A sweat test can diagnose malabsorption syndrome by identifying cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a condition affecting digestion. 

The sweat testing procedure involves: 

• Applying a chemical to the skin to make it sweat. 
• Lab technicians place electrodes on the skin, then pass an electric current through to collect sweat. 
• The lab receives the sweat sample for chloride level analysis. 

It is a painless malabsorption test. However, the electric current may cause slight tingling or tickling in some children. 

• Imaging Tests 

A CT scan or X-rays are the malabsorption test name. These tests can look at your digestive organs and locate signs of disease. A doctor can use MR enterography, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), small-bowel X-rays, barium contrast studies, and wireless capsule endoscopy to visualize and detect the cause of malabsorption syndrome. 

• Small Intestinal Biopsy 

A small intestine biopsy is a key malabsorption test to evaluate intestinal malabsorption. Doctors perform it on people suspected of: 

• Celiac disease
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Folate deficiency 
• Osteoporosis 
• Malabsorption 
• Abnormal duodenal appearance 
• Unexplained weight loss 

A healthcare professional can look for morphological abnormalities, villous shortening, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, lymphoma, or Whipple’s disease through a small intestinal biopsy. 

How to Treat Malabsorption Syndrome? 

The malabsorption treatment depends on the cause. 

• A healthcare professional may ask you to follow a specific diet involving more easily digestible and absorbed foods. 
• They may also ask you to take supplements to complete the nutrient deficiencies. 

In some cases, the cause of malabsorption is a too-active intestinal tract. A healthcare professional may prescribe medications that can help you relax. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics for malabsorption treatment if the cause is a certain infection. 

Also, read https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/stomach/tips-to-improve-and-reset-your-gut-health/ 

The Bottom Line 

Malabsorption causes malnutrition. Some people may experience bloating, gas, diarrhea, or indigestion. However, if you have any chronic symptoms, something serious is going on. You should take this seriously and take lab tests for malabsorption. The tests can identify the major cause and help you take preventive measures as early as possible. Blood tests and stool tests for malabsorption are the best lab tests. Book them from Redcliffe Lab’s website to prevent major health complications.