Symptoms of bloating, wind, reflux, diarrhoea and/or constipation, lethargy and stomach pain/discomfort are symptoms you may be experiencing. 

This may be a result of your digestive systems inability to digest certain sugars commonly found in many of the foods we eat. A Hydrogen & Methane Breath Test is a painless and non-invasive test which can help in diagnosing a malabsorption of these sugars which may then assist with management of symptoms.

Here at MGIU we offer Hydrogen & Methane Breath Testing for the following sugars:

• Lactose Breath Test for lactose intolerance (lactase deficiency).
• Fructose Breath Test for fructose malabsorption.
• Sucrose Breath Test for sucrose malabsorption (sucrose-isomaltase deficiency).
• Glucose Breath Test for small bowel/intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
• Lactulose Breath Test for Hydrogen production, small bowel/intestinal bacterial overgrowth and intestinal transit time.

Click here for an overview of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).

The procedure:

Please be advised that only one substrate can be tested per day. You can choose to do the test on site or at your own home. Each test takes up to 3 hours.

Your referring doctor will specify which of the sugar/s you are to be tested for.

On arrival to MGIU a ‘baseline’ breath sample is taken and analysed to check for adherence to the pre-test diet on the day prior. It is important to note that strict adherence to the diet guidelines are essential in ensuring your breath test results are as accurate as possible.

You will then be given a 250mL sugar solution; which you will need to be able to drink within five minutes.  Your breath samples will then be analysed every 30 minutes for the remainder of the test. During the test however, there will be opportunities for you to move about.

Patient preparation:

• Antibiotics and probiotics are not permitted for two weeks prior to testing (probiotic yoghurt is permitted until the day before your test).
• If you have used a bowel preparation for colonoscopy/surgery you must wait at least one week before undergoing your breath test.
• You must follow a lactose & fructose free, low fibre diet on the day prior to your test; we will provide you with these diet guidelines at the time of booking your appointment. For the diet instructions [click here]. 
  

  Please note; this test cannot be performed unless the diet is strictly adhered to. Failure to do so may result in inaccurate results and the test will need to be repeated.

• You must fast before your test; however you may drink as much water as you like. If you have an 8:30am appointment you must fast from midnight. Patients with a 12:00pm appointment may consume black tea/coffee and plain rice/corn cakes prior to 8:00am then begin fasting.
• Do not smoke on the day of your test.
• Please do not brush your teeth on the morning of your appointment.