Digestive Health Tests›SIBO Breath Test (Glucose)
Infections & Overgrowth
SIBO Breath Test (Glucose)
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Is a SIBO Test Right for You? Do you suffer from bloating, chronic diarrhoea, constipation, or unexplained digestive discomfort? You might be experiencing Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) symptoms, which affects the gut by allowing excessive bacterial fermentation in the small intestine.
This version uses glucose as the test sugar. Glucose is absorbed quickly in the upper part of the small intestine, so a glucose breath test is particularly good at detecting overgrowth in the upper (proximal) small intestine. It tends to give fewer false positives, making a positive result highly reliable.
SIBO has been linked not only to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but also to chronic fatigue, rosacea, cystitis, interstitial bladder pain, and even autoimmune and neurological symptoms such as restless legs and fibromyalgia.
Who can benefit from this test?
Your practitioner may recommend this test if you have:
- Bloating that worsens through the day or after meals
- Excess wind, belching or abdominal distension
- Diarrhoea, constipation or alternating bowel habits
- A diagnosis of IBS that hasn’t responded to treatment
- Symptoms suggesting bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine
- A wish to identify hydrogen or methane overgrowth
Learn more about this test
What the test involves
A simple at-home breath test using a glucose drink. After the drink you collect a timed series of breath samples, usually over about 2 to 3 hours, which reveal hydrogen and methane produced by bacterial fermentation — focused on the upper small intestine, where glucose is absorbed.
This test measures:
- Hydrogen produced by bacterial fermentation
- Methane produced by bacterial fermentation
- Overgrowth in the upper (proximal) small intestine
- How your gut responds to the glucose drink over time
- Breath samples collected across a timed series
Frequently asked questions
Our home-based SIBO breath test evaluates the levels of hydrogen and methane gases in your breath. After consuming a glucose solution, elevated levels of these gases can indicate bacterial overgrowth in the upper small intestine, suggesting the presence of SIBO. Because glucose is absorbed early in the gut, a positive result is highly specific.
You must collect 10 breath samples over 3 hours to ensure accurate results. This extended collection time enhances the test’s sensitivity compared to shorter protocols.
To ensure the accuracy of your SIBO test, adhere to the following diet the day before testing:
Permitted Foods:
Grilled or baked chicken, fish, or turkey, seasoned only with salt and pepper
Plain steamed white rice (basmati or jasmine)
Eggs
Clear chicken or beef broth
Olive oil or coconut oil (limited to one tablespoon for cooking)
Black tea or coffeeRefluxUK+3Wikipedia+3Smart Nutrition+3
Foods to Avoid:
All other foods not listed above include fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains other than white rice, and sweetened beverages.
Adults:
The test is suitable for individuals of all ages.
If you weigh less than 50 lbs (approximately 22.7 kg), consult with us and your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage of the test solution.
Children:
Children should be able to exhale steadily and fully into a breath collection device (balloon) without assistance.
Please provide your child’s weight so we can advise on the correct amount of the solution. Please consult with us and your healthcare provider before proceeding.
Within the UK:
The test kit includes a prepaid, pre-addressed envelope for returning your samples to the lab.
Outside the UK:
Samples can be returned via airmail. Please note that return postage costs are not covered for international shipments.
Sample Validity:
Ensure your samples reach the laboratory within 7 days of collection to maintain validity.
Tests typically take 2 to 3 weeks from the date you send them back. We will email you the results when we receive them.
