Hydrogen breath test – a research method that allows determining the concentration of hydrogen in exhaled air, used to identify small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SIBO).
Duration 60-120 minutes
Device Lactofan
In a healthy person, hydrogen and/or methane are absent in exhaled air on an empty stomach, as they are not produced during metabolism.
The release of these gases with breathing occurs when carbohydrates are broken down by anaerobic bacteria in the intestines, the majority of which are located in the large intestine. In the small intestine, they are present only in small amounts.
In the case of bacterial overgrowth, the number of anaerobic bacteria in the small intestine can significantly increase, leading to elevated production of hydrogen or methane. This condition is called Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).
Patients with digestive organ diseases:
• chronic gastritis and functional dyspepsia
• dysfunction of the gallbladder and bile ducts
• Diverticulosis intestine
• chronic pancreatitis (in including symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency)
• Gallstone disease
• cirrhosis of the liver
• diabetes mellitus
• functional constipation
• irritable bowel syndrome
• Lactase insufficiency (in т.ч. Hypolactasia adults)
• fructose intolerance
• bloating or abdominal distension
• Stool disorders (loose stools or constipation)
• Bitterness and unpleasant taste in the mouth
• with long-term use of drugs that suppress the production of hydrochloric acid in желудке(т. new group of proton pump inhibitors: Omeprazole rabeprazole pantoprazole, esomeprazole Lansoprazole and others)
• after stomach and intestinal surgeries
Absolute contraindications for performing the test are:
• Existing fasting hypoglycemia or suspicion of it
• Allergy to Lactulose (medication that the patient takes during the study)
• Availability Ileostomies (artificial opening in the abdominal cavity for stool diversion)
• Plan your time so that you do not eat for at least 14 hours before the examination. During this time, you can only drink water. The last meal before the test should be light.
• For 24 hours before the test, do not eat onions, garlic, cabbage, legumes, and pickled vegetables, and do not drink milk and juices. You should avoid any foods high in fructose, sweeteners, ketchup, honey, mayonnaise, and nuts.
• Avoid alcohol consumption two days before the test.
• stop taking laxatives three days before the test
• Do not smoke or chew gum for 12 hours before the examination.
• It is recommended to discontinue any antibiotics 2 weeks before the test. Proton pump inhibitors should be discontinued a week before the procedure – omeprazole pantoprazole rabeprazole, enzymes, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Cancel taking vitamins.
• Do not use adhesives for dental prostheses
• Brush your teeth in the morning.
• Limit physical activity.
• Conduct the test in a calm seated position.
• Smoking before and during the procedure теста запрещено!
• Test duration – approximately 2 hours.
• During the study, you may experience discomfort in the abdomen, bloating, rumbling. In rare cases – headache, allergic reaction (to лактулозу).
Doctor who conducted the research issues a conclusion
In the case of a positive result, i.e., detection of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome, consultation with a gastroenterologist is necessary to determine the treatment plan and possible additional investigations.
Doctor - Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Ultrasound Diagnostics Doctor