{"product_id":"nutripath-sibo-small-intestine-bacteria-breath-test-lactulose","title":"SIBO (small intestine bacteria) breath test, lactulose","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"product-marketing-headline\"\u003eThe test for bloating that just will not settle\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp class=\"product-tagline\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe gold standard test for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Measures hydrogen and methane gas production in breath samples after a lactulose challenge.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"product-brand-attribution\"\u003eTest processed by \u003cstrong\u003eNutriPath\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-short-description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eA three hour at home breath test that measures hydrogen and methane gas production after drinking a lactulose solution. The standard SIBO test for anyone with bloating that worsens after meals, persistent distention, constipation or diarrhoea that has not responded to standard gut interventions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-long-description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) is the condition where bacteria that should live in the large intestine colonise the small intestine instead. When these bacteria ferment food, they produce hydrogen and methane gases. Hydrogen driven SIBO is classically associated with diarrhoea and rapid onset bloating. Methane driven SIBO (more correctly IMO, intestinal methanogen overgrowth) is associated with constipation and slower but more persistent distention. The lactulose breath test captures both. You drink a measured lactulose solution, which normal bacteria cannot digest. If no bacteria are present in the small intestine, gases rise only after the solution reaches the large intestine at around 90 to 120 minutes. If bacteria are present in the small intestine, you see an earlier rise that confirms SIBO. The test takes about three hours and is completed entirely at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-ingredients\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat it measures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBiomarker\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSample\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eReference Range\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat it tells you\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHydrogen (H2)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBreath samples, seven collection points\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRise of 20 ppm or more before 90 minutes is positive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHydrogen driven SIBO. Often associated with diarrhoea, urgent bowel movements and rapid onset bloating after meals.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMethane (CH4)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBreath samples, same collection points\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAny level above 10 ppm sustained is positive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMethane driven SIBO (IMO). Produced by methanogenic archaea. Strongly associated with constipation, hard stool and slower chronic distention.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHydrogen + Methane Combined\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBreath samples\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eElevated combined gases count\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMixed SIBO is common and may require longer or combined treatment protocols.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-how-to-take\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to collect and what to expect\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompleted at home over approximately three hours. Follow the 24 hour preparation diet provided with the kit (no fermentable foods, no probiotics, certain fasting requirements). On test day, collect a baseline breath sample, drink the lactulose solution, then collect breath samples at 20 minute intervals for three hours. Return samples in the prepaid envelope. Results in 10 to 14 business days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-warnings\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarnings and cautions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a health information test. Do not start, stop or change antibiotics or any prescribed medication based on results. Preparation diet must be followed for accurate results. Antibiotics, probiotics, bismuth medications and laxatives all affect results and should be discontinued in the window specified by the test protocol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-faqs\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I know if I need a SIBO test?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe classic SIBO presentation is bloating that worsens progressively through the day, triggered by meals and particularly by carbohydrate rich or fermentable foods. Other signs include distention that makes clothes feel tighter, constipation or diarrhoea (depending on gas type), and symptoms that have not responded to probiotics, enzymes or standard gut interventions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLactulose vs glucose test, which is better?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth are validated. Lactulose covers the full length of the small intestine so is better at detecting distal SIBO. Glucose is absorbed quickly and is more specific for proximal SIBO but may miss distal cases. Lactulose is the more commonly chosen first line test for comprehensive screening.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat if the test is positive?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eSIBO treatment typically involves a combination of antimicrobial herbs (berberine, oregano oil, neem) or prescription antibiotics (rifaximin for hydrogen SIBO, sometimes with neomycin added for methane), followed by prokinetics to prevent recurrence and dietary modifications. Treatment is best guided by a practitioner familiar with SIBO protocols.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I do the test while on medications?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eMost medications continue, but antibiotics must be stopped 4 weeks before, probiotics and bismuth 2 weeks before, prokinetics 1 week before, and laxatives 3 days before. The kit includes detailed preparation instructions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-clinical-evidence\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eClinical evidence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/28167437\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eRome IV criteria for SIBO breath testing\u003c\/a\u003e: International consensus on breath test methodology and interpretation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/28206698\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eHydrogen and methane breath tests in IBS\u003c\/a\u003e: Evidence base for breath testing in functional gastrointestinal disorders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/19417755\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMethane, constipation and intestinal motility\u003c\/a\u003e: Research establishing the methane constipation association.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NutriPath","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52591879815442,"sku":"OPTI-NUTRIPATH-SIBO-SMALL-INTESTINE-BACTERIA-","price":262.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0557\/2087\/0083\/files\/nutripath-sibo-small-intestine-bacteria-breath-test-lactulose.jpg?v=1786431170","url":"https:\/\/optilabs.com.au\/products\/nutripath-sibo-small-intestine-bacteria-breath-test-lactulose","provider":"OptiLabs by Evergreen Doctors","version":"1.0","type":"link"}