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Hydrogen Breath Test in Mukundapur

Hydrogen Breath Test

Hydrogen Breath Test in Mukundapur

The hydrogen breath test helps to determine the level of hydrogen, and sometimes methane or carbon dioxide, in your breath to diagnose carbohydrate malabsorptions, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), lactose intolerance, and the presence of H.pylori infection.

  • Pre-procedure: Detailed instructions will be provided regarding fasting and dietary limitations, including avoiding specific foods and medications that may affect the accuracy of the results.

  • Procedure: The procedure for hydrogen breath tests varies depending on the specific condition our specialist aims to diagnose. The usual process includes breathing into a breathalyser machine similar to an inflatable bag. You will then be instructed to drink a solution containing lactose, fructose, or another type of sugar, based on the condition being tested. After consumption, breath samples are collected at regular intervals, typically every 15 to 30 minutes. A syringe is used to empty the bag after each breath sample.

  • Post-procedure: It is often performed in an outpatient setting, and our specialists will discuss the results with you. 

 

FAQ's

Hydrogen breathing tests help in detecting several parameters and conditions, which include the following:

  • Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), characterised by the presence of larger-than-normal numbers of colon bacteria in the small intestine

  • Carbohydrate malabsorptions, such as lactose, fructose, glucose, sucrose, and sorbitol intolerance

  • Rapid or slow passage of food in the small intestine

The test is also helpful in evaluating dyspepsia, distension, functional bloating, flatulence (passing large amounts of gas), diarrhoea, ‌abdominal pain, and other chronic digestive problems. Therefore, the procedure is beneficial for candidates exhibiting previously mentioned symptoms.

General preparations you should take to have a hydrogen breath test include:

  • Avoiding medications such as antibiotics and Bismuth Subsalicylate, and procedures that require bowel preparation, such as colonoscopy, for at least one to two weeks before the test. Nonetheless, you are allowed to take critical medications, such as those for blood pressure, heart rate, or seizures. 

  • Refrain from slowly digestible foods such as high-fibre cereals or beans, fibre supplements, and laxatives 24 hours before the test. You can, however, consume a low-fibre diet.

  • Fasting for 12 hours before the procedure, but you can drink water

  • Abstain from smoking ‌and avoid ‌getting exposed to smoke at least 1 hour before the test.

  • Avoiding sleep and performing vigorous exercise for one hour before or during the procedure

The expected duration for your hydrogen breathing test depends on the specific conditions being tested, with glucose tests lasting around 2 hours and tests for fructose, lactose, and sucrose spanning around 2-3 hours. Our specialists will inform you of the expected duration of your test. You will be encouraged to read ‌books, watch television, or listen to music to pass the time during the procedure.

In a normal digestion and absorption process, digestive enzymes break down sugars and carbohydrates into glucose, lactose, and fructose. These molecules get absorbed into the small intestine and the bloodstream, compared to the large intestine (colon), where only small amounts of sugars are absorbed. The sugar molecules present in the colon are ‌then digested by anaerobic bacteria, producing less hydrogen gas, and exhaled through the breath.

Any variation in this process, such as high amounts of lactose and other sugar contents in the colon, leads to increased bacterial digestion and the production of hydrogen gas, indicating sugar malabsorption and intolerance. Moreover, increased populations of hydrogen-producing bacteria in the small intestine compared to the colon also lead to increased production of hydrogen gas, signifying SIBO.

Specialists measure hydrogen levels in parts per million (ppm), with normal hydrogen levels in the digestive system being less than 16 ppm. In the case of carbohydrate malabsorption, the baseline level should be more than 16 ppm during the procedure. Similarly, in the case of SIBO, the measurement should rise by 20 ppm from the baseline within 90 minutes, which should indicate an increased population of anaerobic bacteria in the small intestine compared to the colon.

Hydrogen breathing tests are non-invasive procedures and are considered safe. However, the tests can trigger the very problems they aim to diagnose, such as flatulence, indigestion, and abdominal discomfort. In very rare cases, the sugar solution may cause loose stools, leading to diarrhoea. The significance of the test is to find out the root cause of the symptoms. Henceforth, our specialists will identify ‌and provide timely intervention once the diagnosis is made, ensuring that you receive appropriate treatment to reduce or alleviate your symptoms.

Some factors can affect the accuracy of hydrogen breath test results; among them are:

  • Not following proper parameters before the test, such as:

    • Using antibiotics or laxatives within a week prior to testing

    • Smoking, chewing tobacco, or chewing gum before the procedure

    • Not fasting during the specified time before the test

    • Eating fermentable food (complex carbohydrates) a day before the procedure

  • Increased production of methane by gut bacteria, can sometimes affect the results.

  • Large doses of sugary beverages can manifest in an early rise in gas production in the intestines.

 

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