Bacterial Overgrowth Breath Test

For specific preparation instructions click here

The Bacterial Overgrowth Breath Test is used to determine if bacteria have invaded the small intestine either from the stomach, where they are usually killed by stomach acid, or from the large intestine, where they are normally found and are necessary for normal intestinal function.  Normally a very small amount of bacteria is present in the small intestine.  However, the bacterial can grow in the small intestine due to the conditions, such as, low stomach acid, parasite infection, Crohn’s disease, slow transit of food through the intestine, etc.  The bacterial overgrowth may result in abdominal bloating, gas, diarrhea, problem digesting dairy products and carbohydrates, unexplained weight loss and Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Bacteria in the colon (large intestine) break down complex sugars and release hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide.  Some of the gases are reabsorbed into the blood stream and are brought to the lungs, where they are exhaled with your breath.  The time at which these trace gases are detected in the lung air after the ingestion of a dose of a special sugar, lactulose, can be used to estimate where the bacteria are located in the intestinal tract.  Lactulose is a “special” sugar because it cannot be absorbed by humans, but is digested only by bacteria.  Once the lactulose solution is administered, the breath samples are collected at 20-minute intervals.  If trace gases appear early on, it means that the bacteria must exist toward the stomach.  If trace gases appear only later in the test, the bacterial must reside in the colon only.  The testing takes 1 to 3 hours to complete.

For additional details, please visit Quintron - Hydrogen Breath Test.

For specific preparation instructions click here