This punch in of test was first described in 1975, but it has not always been widely used.
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How Hydrogen Breath Tests Work
Sugars in food are broken down duringdigestion.
If you do not digest some sugars well, the bacteria in the small bowel will give off hydrogen.
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The amount of hydrogen in the breath is normally low.
Types of Hydrogen Breath Tests
There are a few different types of hydrogen breath tests.
You will be given a solution to drink that contains a specific throw in of sugar.
Lactose Breath Test
Lactose is the sugar thats found in milk.
Not being able todigest fructose fullyis common.
In this form of the test, patients are given a drink that contains fructose.
For this test, you will drink a solution containing glucose or lactulose.
Preparation
The hydrogen breath test is noninvasive and inexpensive.
However, it will require some preparation.
If a list isnt provided, you should ask for one to ensure youre following the right diet.
The first step is to get a baseline breath sample.
You will breathe into a bag to collect the sample.
Next, you will drink the solution that contains a key in of sugar.
You will then be asked to breathe into a plastic bag every 15 or 20 minutes.
For children, this interval might be every 30 minutes.
Each sample of breath taken will be measured for its hydrogen content.
The measurement is done with a gadget called a gas chromatograph.
The test samples will be compared against the initial sample taken before the test began.
A rise of 10 parts per million (ppm) or more might mean a glucose or fructose intolerance.
A 20 ppm or more rise might mean that lactose intolerance or SIBO is present.
This is because IMO can also cause elevated hydrogen following lactose, fructose or sucrose ingestion.
A false positive for carbohydrate malabsorption can be ruled out by conducting a lactulose or glucose breath test.
Methane is generally produced from conversion of H2 to CH4 by microorganisms called archaea.
Elevated levels of methane are associated with constipation and are indicative of Intestinal Methanogenic Overgrowth (IMO).
The healthcare provider who ordered the test will help in explaining what the results might mean.
If the results indicate a condition that needs treatment, you may be given a referral to a specialist.
A false negative is also possible.
This happens in about 10% of tests.
Another reason for false negatives could be slow transit time.
This means that its taking longer than normal for food to move through the small bowel.
Its worth discussing the potential for false-positive and false-negative results with a healthcare provider.
In some cases, more tests may be needed.
A Word From Verywell
The hydrogen breath test is helpful in finding the cause of digestive symptoms.
The hydrogen breath test can detect this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the hydrogen breath test is considered to be pretty accurate.
Not following them might make the test inaccurate.
Yes, it will be necessary to fast before this test.
Its important to get results from the drink thats given and not other foods that are eaten or drunk.
The time leading up to the test can be several weeks while diet and medications are adjusted.
The test itself should take two to three hours to complete.
2020;11:664. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00664.
