03021 Hydrogen Breath Test

Hydrogen Breath Test Instructions

Why Do I Need This Test?

A hydrogen breath test is used to detect abnormal growth of bacteria within the small bowel (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth – SIBO). It also provides information about the digestion of certain sugars or carbohydrates, such as milk (lactose) or fruit sugar (fructose) and fructans.

 IMPORTANT: If you are allergic to lemon or lime flavoring it is important for you to call us BEFORE your appointment

How To Do I Get Ready?

• For 4 (four) weeks before your test, you should not take any antibiotics
• For 5 days before the test do not take any probiotics
• For 1 (one) week before your test do not take any laxatives or stool softeners (Colace^®, senna, milk of magnesia, Ex-Lax^®, Miralax^®, Linzess^®, Amitiza^®, domperidone)
• Two days before your test do not take nausea medicine like: Zofran^® or Reglan^®. Do not take diarrhea medicines like Lomotil^® or Immodium^®.
• You may use enemas or suppositories until 3 (three) days before your test

The Day Before Your Test:

24 hours before your test you will begin your prep diet. For example, if your test is at 9:00 a.m., you would begin the diet at 9:00 a.m. the day before.

You may consume ONLY the following foods and drinks:

• Plain white bread, plain white rice, plain white potatoes, baked or broiled chicken, fish, or shrimp, boiled eggs, plain water, and non-flavored black coffee or unsweetened tea.
• ONLY salt may be used to flavor your food.
• You may NOT use any sugar, creamers, or sweeteners.
• You may NOT use any other seasonings or spices.
• Butter, oils, margarine, or cooking sprays are NOT permitted.
• Probiotic yogurts such as Danactive^® or Activia^® are not permitted.
• Pop/cola/soda drinks, Kool-Aid, sports drinks, juice are NOT permitted.
• Vegetables and Fruits are NOT permitted.
• Do not eat or drink anything else—it could result in the cancellation of your test.

For 12 hours Before Your Test:

• You must stop eating and drinking 12 hours before the test. For example, if your test is at 9:00 a.m., you would stop eating and drinking at 9:00 p.m. the night before.
• Take your usual prescription medicines with water until 12 hours before the test.

The Day of Your Test:

• The test will take 2 to 3 hours to complete.
• Take no medications the morning of your test EXCEPT blood pressure, heart, and seizure medications. Please bring a list of all medications to your appointment.
• Two hours before the test, brush your teeth.
• DO NOT eat, drink, chew gum or tobacco, smoke cigarettes, eat breath mints or candy before or during the day of your test.
• DO NOT SLEEP OR EXERCISE DURING THE TEST.
• You MUST follow the prep diet the day before EACH breath test.