September 15, 2026

GastroLife · Naas & Nationwide

Digestive Health Testing in Ireland: What We Do at GastroLife

Digestive symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, excessive gas and changes in bowel habits are extremely common. However, similar symptoms can occur for many different reasons, which can make it difficult to understand what may be contributing to them.

At GastroLife, we specialise in digestive health testing and gastrointestinal function testing, providing a range of non-invasive breath and stool tests to patients throughout Ireland.

Our digestive health testing centre is located at Vista Primary Care in Naas, Co. Kildare, with both in-clinic testing and home testing options available. GastroLife has over 18 years' experience in gastrointestinal function testing.

Our role is testing. GastroLife does not prescribe medication or provide medical treatment. Instead, our tests provide objective information that patients can bring to their GP, gastroenterologist or other healthcare professional to assist with further investigation and clinical management.

What Digestive Health Tests Does GastroLife Offer?

GastroLife provides testing for a number of common gastrointestinal conditions and digestive concerns, including:

Depending on the investigation, testing can be completed either at our Naas digestive health clinic or conveniently from home.

SIBO and IMO Breath Testing

One of the main areas of testing provided by GastroLife is hydrogen and methane breath testing for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO).

SIBO occurs when excessive numbers of bacteria are present in the small intestine. These bacteria can ferment carbohydrates and produce gases, particularly hydrogen.

Methane detected during breath testing is associated with Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO). Methane is produced by microorganisms called methanogens rather than bacteria, which is why IMO is considered distinct from SIBO.

Symptoms associated with SIBO or IMO may include:

Bloating
Excessive gas
Abdominal discomfort
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Changes in bowel habits
IBS-like symptoms

A SIBO hydrogen and methane breath test involves drinking a test substrate and providing breath samples at regular intervals. These samples are analysed for changes in hydrogen and methane concentrations.

GastroLife offers SIBO testing in Ireland both in clinic and using a home SIBO test kit.

Lactose, Fructose, Sucrose and Sorbitol Breath Tests

Not every reaction to food is caused by an allergy. Sometimes digestive symptoms occur because a particular carbohydrate is not adequately digested or absorbed.

GastroLife provides carbohydrate malabsorption breath testing for:

Lactose Malabsorption

Lactose is the naturally occurring sugar found in milk and dairy products. If lactose is not adequately digested and absorbed in the small intestine, it can reach the colon where bacteria ferment it.

A lactose breath test can help assess whether lactose malabsorption may be contributing to symptoms following dairy consumption.

Fructose Malabsorption

Fructose is a naturally occurring sugar found in fruit, honey and many foods and drinks.

A fructose breath test assesses how effectively fructose is absorbed and can help investigate symptoms that appear after consuming fructose-containing foods.

Sucrose Malabsorption

Sucrose, commonly known as table sugar, is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose.

A sucrose breath test can help assess whether difficulties digesting sucrose may be contributing to gastrointestinal symptoms.

Sorbitol Malabsorption

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol naturally present in some fruits and also widely used as a sweetener in sugar-free foods, chewing gum and other products.

A sorbitol breath test can assess whether sorbitol is being poorly absorbed.

H. pylori Stool Antigen Testing

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that infects the stomach lining and is associated with conditions including gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.

GastroLife provides an H. pylori stool antigen test, which is a non-invasive test used to detect evidence of an active H. pylori infection.

The test can be completed at home and the sample returned for laboratory analysis.

Certain medications, particularly antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), can influence H. pylori test results, so it is important to carefully follow the preparation instructions supplied with the test.

Faecal Calprotectin Testing

Faecal calprotectin is a stool marker used to assess inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract.

An elevated calprotectin result does not diagnose a particular condition by itself. However, it can provide useful information to a GP or gastroenterologist when investigating gastrointestinal symptoms and determining whether further assessment may be required.

The calprotectin stool test is non-invasive and can be completed at home.

Faecal Pancreatic Elastase Testing

The pancreas produces digestive enzymes that help the body break down and absorb nutrients from food.

A faecal pancreatic elastase test measures pancreatic elastase in a stool sample and is used to help assess the digestive enzyme function of the pancreas.

Low levels of pancreatic elastase may indicate reduced exocrine pancreatic function and should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.

FIT – Bowel Cancer Screening Test

The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) checks a stool sample for small amounts of human blood that may not be visible to the naked eye.

FIT is widely used as part of bowel cancer screening and the investigation of certain bowel symptoms.

It is important to understand that FIT is a screening test and a negative result does not completely exclude bowel cancer. Anyone experiencing persistent or concerning bowel symptoms should discuss these with their GP regardless of their FIT result.

Comprehensive Gut Health Testing

Digestive symptoms frequently overlap, and sometimes investigating one condition alone does not provide the information required.

GastroLife's Comprehensive Gut Check combines five gastrointestinal investigations:

The tests are completed at home and provide a broader assessment of several common gastrointestinal concerns.

The results can then be shared with a GP or healthcare professional and considered alongside symptoms, medical history and any other investigations.

Can Digestive Health Testing Be Done at Home?

Illustration of home sample collection materials and a digital report; illustrative equipment

Yes. Many GastroLife tests are available as home digestive health test kits throughout Ireland.

Depending on the test, patients receive the necessary collection equipment together with detailed preparation and testing instructions. Samples are then returned to GastroLife for analysis.

Home testing is available for a range of investigations including SIBO, lactose malabsorption, fructose malabsorption, sucrose malabsorption, sorbitol malabsorption, H. pylori stool antigen, faecal calprotectin, pancreatic elastase and FIT.

For patients who prefer to attend in person, hydrogen and methane breath testing is also available at our clinic in Naas, Co. Kildare.

Where Can I Get a SIBO Test in Ireland?

GastroLife provides SIBO hydrogen and methane breath testing in Ireland from our gastrointestinal testing centre at Vista Primary Care, Naas, Co. Kildare.

For patients who cannot easily travel to Kildare, home SIBO testing is available throughout Ireland.

The test measures both hydrogen and methane, allowing assessment for hydrogen-producing bacterial overgrowth as well as methane associated with IMO.

Which Digestive Test Do I Need?

Bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain and other digestive symptoms can have many possible causes. For example, bloating may occur with SIBO, carbohydrate malabsorption and numerous other gastrointestinal conditions.

For this reason, choosing a test based on symptoms alone is not always straightforward.

GastroLife can provide practical information about the tests we offer and their preparation requirements. However, we are a digestive health testing centre rather than a treatment or prescribing service. Where symptoms are persistent, severe or unexplained, appropriate medical assessment by a GP or specialist remains important.

Why Choose GastroLife?

GastroLife is an Irish digestive health testing centre specialising in non-invasive gastrointestinal investigations.

We provide:

Over 18 years' experience in gastrointestinal function testing
SIBO and IMO testing
Carbohydrate malabsorption testing
Gastrointestinal stool testing
In-clinic testing in Naas, Co. Kildare
Home digestive health testing throughout Ireland
Clear preparation and collection instructions
Results that can be shared with your GP or healthcare professional

Our aim is to make high-quality digestive health testing accessible while providing patients with clear information throughout the testing process.

Digestive Health Testing with GastroLife

If you are experiencing ongoing digestive symptoms or have been advised to undergo gastrointestinal testing, GastroLife offers a range of non-invasive testing options both at home and at our clinic in Naas.

From SIBO and IMO breath testing to lactose and fructose malabsorption testing, H. pylori testing, faecal calprotectin, pancreatic elastase and FIT bowel screening, our services are designed to provide objective information that can support further discussion with your healthcare professional.

GastroLife is a digestive health testing centre only. We do not diagnose medical conditions or provide treatment. Test results should be interpreted by your GP or appropriate healthcare professional in conjunction with your symptoms and medical history.