Breath testing relies on the detection of substances resulting from the body's breakdown of an ingested test solution in your exhaled breath. Breath testing is useful in gastroenterology practice as a noninvasive tool for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach, small bowel bacterial overgrowth, lactose intolerance and fructose malabsorption.
Breath tests are administered through our office, though the tests are performed at a specialized laboratory which will submit charges for the technical components of this test to your insurer or to you directly. You may contact Metabolic Solutions directly for information regarding charges and billing. Digestive Health will submit charges only for the professional components of this test.
Additional information: Insurance coverage for breath tests
Urea Breath Test
Preparation:
For 2 weeks before the test: avoid antibiotics, bismuth (Pepto-Bismol®) and proton pump inhibitors, such as Prilosec® (omeprazole), Nexium® (esomeprazole), Prevacid® (lansoprazole), Protonix® (pantoprazole), Aciphex® (rabeprazole) and Dexilant® (dexlansoprazole).
Fast for 1 hour before the test
Bacterial Overgrowth (lactulose breath hydrogen-methane) Test (test for SIBO)
Preparation:
Do not
- Eat high-fiber or slowly digested foods the day before the test. Such foods include bran, nuts, and beans.
- Sleep or exercise vigorously for at least ½-hour before or at any time during the test.
- Take antibiotics or Pepto-Bismol during the two weeks prior to the Bacterial Overgrowth Breath Test.
- Take laxatives, milk of magnesia or psyllium products (Metamucil) during the one week prior to testing.
- Chew gum or smoke on morning of test.
Do
- FAST OVERNIGHT at least 12 hours before the test. This means that you consume no food and drink only water.
- Notify your Doctor if you have had any recent antibiotic treatment or runny diarrhea as these may affect the validity of the test.
- Brush your teeth in the morning.
Lactose Intolerance Breath Test
Preparation:
Do not
- Eat high-fiber or slowly digested foods the day before the test. Such foods include bran, nuts, and beans.
- Sleep or exercise vigorously for at least ½-hour before or at any time during the test.
- Take antibiotics or Pepto-Bismol during the two weeks prior to the Lactose Breath Test.
- Take laxatives, milk of magnesia or psyllium products (Metamucil) during the one week prior to testing.
- Chew gum or smoke on morning of test.
Do
- FAST OVERNIGHT at least 12 hours before the test. This means that you consume no food and drink only water.
- Notify your Doctor if you have had any recent antibiotic treatment or runny diarrhea as these may affect the validity of the test.
- Brush your teeth in the morning.
Fructose Malabsorption Breath Test
Preparation:
Do not
- Eat high-fiber or slowly digested foods the day before the test. Such foods include bran, nuts, and beans.
- Sleep or exercise vigorously for at least ½-hour before or at any time during the test.
- Take antibiotics or Pepto-Bismol during the two weeks prior to the Lactose Breath Test.
- Take laxatives, milk of magnesia or psyllium products (Metamucil) during the one week prior to testing.
- Chew gum or smoke on morning of test.
Do
- FAST OVERNIGHT at least 12 hours before the test. This means that you consume no food and drink only water.
- Notify your Doctor if you have had any recent antibiotic treatment or runny diarrhea as these may affect the validity of the test.
- Brush your teeth in the morning.
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