/ Hydrogen Breath Test

HYDROGEN BREATH TEST

Hydrogen Breath Test is a test that aids in diagnosing certain gastrointestinal problems such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. It uses the levels of hydrogen in the breath to make a diagnosis.

Anaerobic bacteria found in the colon, are produce hydrogen when exposed to unabsorbed foods, specifically sugars & carbohydrates. In individuals with a digestive disorder such as SIBO, large amounts of hydrogen is produced . Some hydrogen, produced either in large intestine or small intestine may get absorbed into blood. When the hydrogen mixed blood travels to the lungs & is released & exhaled in breath, it becomes measurable through the hydrogen breath test.

Why is Hydrogen Breath Test required?

Three main conditions which require Hydrogen Breath Test are:

• Intolerance to Sugar: It is a condition in which the dietary sugars do not get digested properly. Lactose intolerance, for instance, is intolerance to sugar found in milk or other dairy products
• Small Intestinal Bowel Growth is a condition in which abnormal numbers of bacteria are present in the small intestine
• Rapid Passage of food through Small Intestine

How to prepare for Hydrogen Breath Test?

Four weeks prior to taking the test, the patient will be recommended to stop taking antibiotics & avoid colonoscopy or any other procedure that requires bowel prep

One to two weeks prior to the test, the patient needs to avoid taking stool softeners, laxatives or antacids if he or she is taking any.

A day before the test, the patient is allowed to eat only:

• Plain White rice or bread
• Potatoes
• Baked fish or chicken
• Water

It is best to avoid

• Sweet drinks
• Foods with high fibre such as cereals or beans
• Butter
• Smoking or Passive Smoking

The patient should not consume any solid or liquid foods at least 8 to 12 hours prior to the test. It also best to avoid the following on the day of the test:

• Smoking or passive smoking
• Chewing gum
• Using mouthwash
• Exercising

How is it performed?

The doctor will ask the patient to blow into a bad to get an initial breath sample. Then the patient is asked to drink solution containing different kinds of sugars. 15 minutes later, a breath sample is taken again.

If the amount of hydrogen in the breath raises by 20 ppm or more after consuming the solution, the patient may be diagnosed with a sugar intolerance or Small Intestinal bacterial growth, based on his or her symptoms.