Reproducibility of the intravenous galactose tolerance test

The reproducibility of the intravenous galactose tolerance test was investigated in eight healthy volunteers by performing the test five times under identical conditions in each individual. The results show that the interindividual scattering is much greater than the intraindividual variation. Therefore, and in connexion with the results of a previous investigation, the conclusion can be drawn that the intravenous galactose tolerance test is more suitable for the longitudinal course of patients than for the detection of an impaired liver function. A simplification of the test is possible by measuring the fasting galactose concentration and the blood galactose concentration 40 minutes after the galactose load.