Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Breath Test
Clinic Test: €190, Home Test: €185
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when there is too much bacteria in the small intestine. The bacteria interfere with digestion and absorption and can result in digestive symptoms, malabsorption, and nutritient deficiencies.
The SIBO test can be done either in one of our clinic locations or the test can be perfomed at home using a home testing kit.
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⇒ SIBO is a condition that results in an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine
⇒ SIBO can lead to upper and/or lower gastrointestinal symptoms and impaired nutritional uptake
⇒ Studies suggest that a high prevalence of patients diagnosed with IBS have a bacterial overgrowth
⇒ Common causes of SIBO include impaired intestinal motility, following a gastric infection or episode of food poisoning, inflammatory bowel disease, connective tissue disorders, altered bile flow and enzyme production, coeliac disease, certain medications/frequent antibiotic use, gastric surgery.
THE SIBO BREATH TEST
The Hydrogen and Methane breath test is used to detect Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). This is a simple and non-invasive investigation.
The SIBO test can be done either in one of our clinic locations or the test can be perfomed at home using a home testing kit.
Samples are sent back to GastroLife for analysis.
GASTROLIFE TESTIMONIALS
What is Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Breath Test?
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when there is a higher-than-normal number of bacteria in the small intestine causing gastrointestinal symptoms.
Most of our gut bacteria reside in the large intestine and performs a variety of important roles in the body. A much lower number of bacteria are located in the small intestine. If there is an abnormally high number of bacteria in the small intestine, it can interfere with digestion and absorption.
When a bacterial overgrowth develops in the small intestine, the bacteria can break down food (most commonly carbohydrates) in this part of your digestive tract and interfere with the normal process of digestion. Gases such as hydrogen and methane are produced as well as other products. This may lead to gastrointestinal symptoms, impaired nutritional uptake, alteration in intestinal permeability, and/or immune activation.
What are the common symptoms of SIBO?
Some people may experience one symptom, while others may suffer from a combination of symptoms.
SIBO Symptoms can include:
Bloating
Nausea
Diarrhoea, constipation, altered bowel habit
Abdominal distension
Fatigue (SIBO can utilise Vitamin B12)
Flatulence and/or belching
Food intolerances
Other symptoms associated with SIBO that have been reported include reflux, joint pain, acne rosacea, brain fog, intestinal cramps, intestinal gurgling, weight loss/weight gain, fullness, loss of appetite, anxiety.
SIBO AND IBS VIDEO
How can breath samples tell me if there is too much bacteria in my small intestine?
If there is too much bacteria present in the small intestine, it will interfere with the normal digestion and absorption process. The overgrowth of bacteria ferment food, more often carbohydrates, in the small intestine.
As a result of this metabolic breakdown, gases such as hydrogen and methane are produced. These gases are only produced by bacteria and not by any other part of the body. These gases have a small size and can pass easily through the wall of the intestine and into your blood circulation. When your blood travels around your body to your lungs, gas exchange takes place, and these gases are detected from exhaled breath samples.
SIBO test details
Test Duration: 2-3 hours
Testing Age: 16 years and above
Referral: No referral required
Results: Approx. 3-4 working days
Initial Clinic Test Fee: €190
Repeat Clinic Test Fee: €170 (within 12 months)
Home Test Kit Fee: €185
FAQ
A baseline breath sample is measured by blowing into a sample collection bag. Following this, you will drink a sugar based testing solution. You will then repeat the breath samples at regular intervals. Testing duration is typically between 2-3 hours.
SIBO can develop for many different reasons. The most common cause is a dysfunction of your normal intestinal motility.
If there are slow or uncoordinated muscular contractions in the small intestine, sluggish flow of intestinal contents can allow bacteria the opportunity to overgrow. The purpose of motility in the small bowel is to push debris and bacteria towards the colon. Motility dysfunction can be due to a number of different factors such as a history of food poisoning or post infectious IBS, diabetes, certain medications, nerve damage, or sometimes the cause is unknown.
Other factors that can increase the risk of developing SIBO can include (including but not limited to): a weak valve that separates the small and large intestine (this can result in the backflow of bacteria from the colon into the small intestine), post gastrointestinal surgery, post-radiotherapy, adhesions affecting the intestines, following bariatric surgery. inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, connective tissue disorders.
The camera that passes through your mouth only reaches the first part of the small intestine. If a bacterial overgrowth is present in the mid or distal part of the small intestine, it is unlikely to be detected.
A sample of fluid from the upper part of the intestine can be taken with the camera however, the samples are often contaminated with oral and pharyngeal bacteria as the camera is withdrawn through the mouth. The sample would then have to be cultured in a lab which is quite expensive and not traditionally done in Ireland for SIBO. The breath test can detect bacteria all the way through the proximal, mid and distal small intestine.
The test is performed and analysed by fully accredited Gastrointestinal Physiologists. Melissa is our senior Scientist and has over 16 years’ experience, (of which 10+ years were spent in St. James’s Hospital Dublin) specialising in GI function testing.
No. Helicobacter Pylori is an infectious bacteria that mainly affects the stomach and first part of the small intestine. We do test for Helicobacter Pylori in the clinic upon request.
The test can be performed in one of our 3 clinic locations – Dublin, Kildare and Galway. The SIBO test can also be performed at home using a home test kit (samples are returned to GastroLife for analysis). See video below on how the home testing kit is used.
How to understand my SIBO breath test results
Click the link below to understand what the SIBO breath test report indicates.
Home Test Instruction Video
SIBO TESTING ADVICE
Please note that if you are on a long-term antibiotic prescription, please contact us for testing advice.
In the event of a positive SIBO Breath Test, it is recommended that you consult with your G.P/Consultant for appropriate treatment.
SIBO PRE-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS
A pre-procedure instruction sheet can be viewed by clicking the link below. This should be viewed and adhered to upon booking your appointment to ensure accurate results.
SIBO Home Test Kit Contents
✔ 9 x pre-labelled breath collection bags
✔ 18 x blue air stopper caps
✔ 1 x testing substrate
✔ 1 x plastic clamp
✔ 2 x mouth piece
✔ 1 x pre-labelled return envelope
✔ 1 x Test Instruction Book
✔ 1 x Consent Form
SHIPPING and T&C’s
SIBO BREATH TEST SAMPLE REPORT
A SIBO sample report can be viewed by clicking the link below.
BREATH TEST PLANNER
Download a timing planner for your Hydrogen & Methane Breath test.
