The large intestine is packed with bacteria, whilst the small intestine typically contains very few bacteria. If the small intestine becomes overgrown with bacteria it can lead to malabsorption of key nutrients, causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, bloating, fatigue, malabsorption of nutrients and weight loss. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is also thought to be a possible factor in some cases of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
This simple breath tests involves drinking a solution of lactulose provided, and collecting breath samples every 30 minutes minutes over a 3 hour period using the test kit provided. The process is then repeated following drinking a glucose solution that is provided.
Bacteria in the small intestine produce hydrogen and methane gas when exposed to glucose or lactulose. The glucose test is used to detect SIBO at the upper end of the small intestine, whereas the lactulose is used to detect SIBO at the lower end of the small intestine.
The lactulose test is also used to measure oro-caecal transit time (OCTT) – this is the amount of time it takes for food to travel from the mouth to the beginning of the large intestine – prolonged OCTT has been associated with SIBO.
Bacteria in the small intestine produce hydrogen and methane gas when exposed to glucose. This test compares the hydrogen and methane levels in the 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minute breath samples to the baseline (0 minute) sample.
This glucose breath test measures:
Bacteria in the small intestine produce hydrogen and methane when exposed to glucose. SIBO may be diagnosed with a rise in breath hydrogen of >20ppm in the first 90 minutes.
Methane levels ≥10 ppm at any point is considered diagnostic for SIBO involving methanogenic bacteria. This pattern is often linked to slower intestinal transit and constipation-related symptoms.
The lactulose test is used to measure oro-caecal transit time (OCTT) – this is the time interval between ingestion of lactulose and rise in breath hydrogen. Prolonged OCTT has been associated with SIBO.
This lactulose breath test measures:
Bacteria in the small intestine produce hydrogen and methane gas when exposed to lactulose. Hydrogen excretion is indicated by >20ppm sustained rise upon lactulose challenge.
Bacteria in the small intestine produce hydrogen and methane gas when exposed to lactulose. Methane excretion is indicated by >10ppm sustained rise upon lactulose challenge.
Normal OCTT (the time it takes for lactulose to pass through the gut) in healthy adults is approx 60-120min.
Your test kit and all instructions are posted directly to you, and there is no need to visit a collection centre.
Mail your sample back to the lab using the prepaid envelope and packaging provided.
