About Breath Testing
Testing For SIBO Is Easily Done At Home
Please watch this short instructional video to learn how to collect your breath samples.
Testimonials
“The SIBO breath test was very easy to use. I loved the fact I could do it from home and my practitioner had the results in a very short amount of time”
Order my SIBO Breath Test kit
Easy and secure online ordering.
Ensure I leave enough time for the SIBO Prep Diet
1-2 days for samples from each kit.
Complete my SIBO Test and return kit
Fast turnaround time for results.
Receive results from my Practitioner or directly from SIBOTest online
We provide results to your practitioner (if you have nominated one) or directly to your personal account.
What Breath Tests Are Available?
SIBO BASIC: Lactulose Only
We are the only lab to offer Lactulose breath testing as the sole test to help you diagnose SIBO. Other labs use Glucose as the only diagnostic test sugar and Lactulose as the control sugar.
See below as to why we think glucose is not the best substrate to diagnose SIBO. Using glucose only as the test substrate can miss many SIBO positive cases.
Lactulose breath testing for the diagnosis of SIBO is widely used by medical practitioners in the USA. Dr Mark Pimentel, Director of the Motility Program in the Gastroenterology Department of Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, uses this test exclusively to diagnose SIBO. He currently has done over 19,000 Lactulose breath tests and believes this test has a high level of accuracy when interpreted correctly. He is the author of “A new IBS solution” and considered the foremost expert on SIBO.
A double-blind randomized study* revealed that 84% of IBS patients exhibited bacterial overgrowth based on lactulose breath testing.
* Am J Gastroenterol. 2003 Feb;98 (2):412-9. Normalization of lactulose breath testing correlates with symptom improvement in irritable bowel syndrome. a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Pimentel M, Chow EJ, Lin HC.
SIBO ADVANCED: Lactulose + Glucose
Glucose is an additional substrate for bacteria. It is absorbed in the first part of the small intestine. If positive, Glucose can give an additional confirmation of SIBO. The drawback to the glucose test is that glucose is quickly absorbed and therefore sometimes misses bacterial overgrowth further along in the small intestine. Some practitioners nd the combined use of lactulose and glucose for diagnosing SIBO more accurate.
SIBO COMPREHENSIVE: Lactulose + Glucose + Fructose
This test leaves no stone unturned! This triple approach shines the brightest light and has the highest likelihood of finding fermentation and gas production if it is present. Additionally, if your test is positive for SIBO, it can let you know if fructose needs to be avoided during the treatment diet. If you have severe symptoms, it is advised to do this combination test to help guide dietary recommendations.
FRUCTOSE MALABSORPTION: Fructose Only
For those not suspected of having SIBO, but are experiencing symptoms with consumption of fruit, honey, and other fructose containing foods.
What Is The SIBO Breath Test?
The breath test is a simple, non-invasive test. After a 24 hours preparatory diet, the lactulose (or glucose or fructose) test substrate is swallowed.
Lactulose is not absorbed and therefore acts as a food source for bacteria, if present, in the small intestine.
The bacteria ferment the testing substance and produce hydrogen and/or methane. These are diffused into the bloodstream and exhaled via the breath.
Breath samples are collected every 20 minutes for 3 hours. A third gas, hydrogen sulphide, can also be present but cannot be assessed via breath testing at this time.
All our tests use machines from QuinTron, the original manufacturer of BreathTracker, to measure both hydrogen and methane in a single sample of breath (alveolar air)
Testing for SIBO using the QuinTron BreathTracker is considered gold standard.
Extensive quality control, including carbon dioxide measurements to assure an acceptable alveolar air sample, comply with the highest standards of analytical excellence.
Watch this short video about why it's important to test, and not just treat, for SIBO.
What Is Included?
- Breath Collection Device
- 10 Test Tubes
- Sugar Substrate
- Detailed Instructions
- Detailed Report and Treatment Plan
Important Preparation
24 hours (48 hours if you are constipated) before you start the test, you MUST restrict certain foods. You must also avoid certain medications and supplements for a minimum of 1 week.
Please download and read the preparation instruction bookletBREATH TEST FAQ
- How long does it take to get my test results?
- Results will be made available to your nominated practitioner in five business days after we receive your test.
- Is the lactulose breath test alone a reliable indicator of SIBO?
- This is a hotly debated topic in gastroenterology research at the moment and research for and against using the lactulose breath test alone is being published in increasing numbers. SIBOtest closely follows Dr Mark Pimentel's recommendations for lactulose breath testing in the diagnosis of SIBO. Dr Pimentel, Head of Motility at Cedars Sinai Hospital in the USA, has conducted over 19,000 lactulose breath tests for the diagnosis and treatment of SIBO. His argument that lactulose breath testing is a viable test of SIBO is as follows: After a dose of 10g of Lactulose is given, 5% of Lactulose arrives in the cecum after 1 hour. Therefore 95% of it is still in the small instestine. Once it arrives in the cecum it takes colonic bacteria another hour to ferment the arriving lactulose. Therefore it takes a minimum of 2 hours for the colonic fermentation to affect the breath test.Test results are based on the first 2 hours depending on the patient's transit time. In the USA, many labs offer Lactulose breath testing as the test to diagnose SIBO-- even the SIBO Centre in Portland, Oregon has confidence in this method. Unfortunately, there is no perfect test. False positives are rare and usually caused by improper preparation or collection. Almost all false negatives are avoided by measuring methane in addition to hydrogen. SIBOtest also offers glucose as the test sugar for practitioners wanting additional confirmation in the diagnosis of SIBO.
- Can I do a breath test after a colonoscopy has been performed?
- Please allow at least a month after a colonoscopy.
- Can the breath test be done later in the day: eg late morning?
- Yes. Remember though that water is only to be consumed prior to testing.
- Re the Diet Instruction sheet for lactulose. Is this instruction sheet the same for glucose?
- Yes. They are the same diet instructions for both tests, however the glucose test requires different testing substance mixing instructions
- I take movicol every evening a few hours after dinner. Can I still take this (night before).
- No. Unfortunately, we do not want anything that may interfere with the actual testing result. Any laxative use the day before you start testing can influence the test results.
- I am doing more than one test: lactulose, glucose and fructose. Can I do the tests separately (eg a week apart) or should they be done on consecutive days?
- Yes, you can do the testing in this way, although it’s a lot easier to do on consecutive days due to the diet preparation. If you do complete the tests separately, please return tests within 3 days of completion.
- What order should I do the tests if I am doing multiple tests?
- Lactulose, Glucose and then Fructose. Resume prep diet after each test, fast for 12 hours overnight and complete the next test the next morning. Do not complete them on the same day.
- On the prep diet, can I season the broths with vegetables and strain them?
- No. No vegetables are allowed. No stock powder. Only real meat can be used to make soup/broth.
- On the prep diet, can I use olive oil or any oil in cooking?
- A small amount of oil for cooking is allowed.
- Some of the tubes look funny. Is this normal?
- During the manufacturing process the tubes are punctured in order to remove the air inside to create a vacuum. Sometimes you can see this puncture mark, and sometimes you cannot. In addition, the rubber stopper on some of the tubes may appear concave, while appearing convex on others. This too is a normal part of the manufacturing process.
- Am I supposed to remove the grey rubber cover from the needle on the collection device?
- This rubber sheath provides an additional seal against the rubber stopper of the test tube. Please do not remove it.
- There are holes in my blue collection bag. Should I seal them with tape?
- These holes are designed to vent the initial portion of your breath. Covering these holes may actually dilute your samples.
- Should I be able to see my breath inside of the tube?
- You will not be able to see the air go into the tube, nor will you see any condensation.
- Does my test kit expire?
- Yes. Please check the expiration date located on the side of the test kit box
Testimonials
The SIBO breath test was so simple to use and now I have the information I needed to better my health and vitality.
After so many years of misdiagnosis SIBOTest has made a massive difference in my health and my outlook. I now run a support group.
Thank you SIBOTest for your very helpful and friendly customer support and all the great resources available.
