Hi, everybody:

I am allergic or intolerant to milk (cow's milk or goat's milk).

I cannot drink soy milk because people with thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroidism) are supposed to avoid soy milk and many other foods, which could prevent their thyroid hormone medication (levothyroxine) from working properly.

Buttermilk is not available in my area and I do not know if I can make it myself and drink it without getting sick.

What can I do? Are there products to help me with this lactose allergy or intolerance?

I can eat yogurt or cheese without any problem, so I do not understand why I have this problem with milk. I can also take without any problem medications containing lactose.

By the way, how to make the difference between lactose intolerance and allergy?

Thanks for your information.

Milk allergy is a food allergy, an adverse immune reaction to a food protein that is normally harmless to the non-allergic individual. Lactose intolerant is a non-allergic food sensitivity. Skin allergy testing can tell you if you are allergic to milk protein, if so you need to avoid anything with milk protein.

Here is some information about milk protein allergies:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mil...CTION=symptoms

lactose is a sugar, if you lack the enzyme to digest it it remains in your intestines and gives you gas and diarrhea. Yogurt-the lactose is predigested by the bacteria that cause the fermintation, hard cheeses the lactose has also been used up in the fermintation process. the pills that contain lactose probably contain very little. good luck

Understanding which it is is important. Others have pointed out the difference. This is not an endorsement, but my aunt who is lactose intolerant uses a product called Lactaid. I've seen it in grocery stores in several states.
http://www.lactaid.com/

N.B. I do not know if it contains soy.

Doc

I make my own almond milk and now see no difference. You can also buy almond milk, but watch the ingredients. I use it in my coffee, in smoothies, even drink it straight when I want. There also is rice milk, coconut milk...So Delicious makes a very good coconut milk. It comes in 1/2 gallon cartons.