I ditched it almost completely not so long ago. I am a true cheese addict, but to me it doesn't do any good, one piece of cheese and the scale hates me + can't say I feel too well with it. I guess that just differs per person. Some can handle the lactose and for some having diary in the Paleo/Primal diet is okay. I guess I stick to the goat cheese so now and then and the butter.

Heavy cream is, in fact, about 3% lactose. It just amounts to something so tiny that they don't have to report it on nutrition labels when your serving size is a tablespoon.

I went completely dairy free for my first month of Paleo (August), as well as last month (November, Whole30). I miss cheese and cream in my coffee during those times, but it's part of the challenge. I'm doing another Whole30 starting January 1st, and so will cut the dairy again. This time, I'm really going to pay attention to my body when I reintroduce it in February. I don't think I have a reaction to it, but I could totally be pulling a blind over my eyes due to my love for cheese.

Edit to add:
I do follow the same rules for buying dairy as I do for the rest of my Paleo fodder. I look for organic, grass fed, pastured sources (Whole Foods usually has this).

I only restrict dairy when I'm sick because it increases mucous. So I say, go for it.

I did a Whole30 and tested dairy when it was over...and I had no reaction so I absolutely have kept it in my diet.

Same here. I have zero issues with dairy and it's in my diet daily.

Most everyone I know that is into the Paleo lifestyle sources out raw dairy or they at least source out grass fed dairy if they purchase from a grocery store.

I think the key mostly is to use good, quality sources of food. Not the cheap, crappy cheese such as Kraft, etc.........

I like to make my own butter and yogurt, but with going back to school I have come to realize that I just don't have the time to make everything like I was before, so I buy the best sources of foods that I can afford.

Heavy cream is, in fact, about 3% lactose. It just amounts to something so tiny that they don't have to report it on nutrition labels when your serving size is a tablespoon.

Huh. Did not know that. I guess that's what I get for not fully researching it. I knew about the <1g thing about labeling, but didn't dig deeper on that one element in my diet. I stand corrected.

Still not sure I am willing to give it up, though. When I first started, I replaced half-and-half (sometimes straight-up milk) with Stevia, but it's just not the same.

You've given me something new to think about, so thanks, I guess.

Standard butter also has a small amount of lactose, as well. It's actually what browns/burns when you heat butter in a skillet. If you want to go lactose free, go for clarified butter, or ghee. Alternatively, you can clarify your butter, yourself.

Also, try butter in your coffee, instead of the cream. You might like that, though you may have to add a little stevia to get the sweetness back that removing the lactose might remove.

In general for Paleo: raw dairy > grass fed pasteurized > organic pasteurized > conventional. Also - non-homogenized > homogenized (homogenization screws with the fat molecules and is often what causes the health issues commonly associated with dairy fat), and always full-fat over low-fat.