Hydrogen Breath Test Preparation for Bacterial Overgrowth

What is bacterial overgrowth, and how will this study help me?

In normal settings, the colon, or large intestine, is full of bacteria that help with digestion. The small intestine, however, is usually free from such bacteria. When bacteria start to grow in the small intestine, various symptoms can occur, including gas and bloating, diarrhea, and weight loss. This test is performed to see whether there are bacteria living in your small intestine that can be causing your symptoms.

How is the test performed?

The morning of the test, you will be asked to blow into a bag to collect a sample of your breath. After that you will be given a sweet liquid to drink. Please let the nurse know if you are diabetic prior to being given this liquid. You will then be asked to blow into a different bag every 15 minutes for the next 3 hours. You will also be asked to report any symptoms you are experiencing during the test.

Note: Please allow up to four hours at the testing center. You will not be permitted to smoke, exercise, or lie down/sleep during the exam as these activities can affect test results.

What do I need to do to prepare?

Proper preparation is extremely important for this type of testing to be accurate. Please follow these instructions carefully.

Beginning 4 weeks before your test:

  • Avoid all antibiotics.
  • Don’t have a colonoscopy.

Beginning 1 week before your test:

  • Stop using promotility drugs or laxatives, such as Reglan, metoclopramide, Motegrity, Trulance, Linzess, Amitiza, Colace, lactulose, Miralax, senna, Dulcolax, Milk of Magnesia, Mylanta, Rolaids, Fleet Enema, fiber supplements, Metamucil, and glycerin suppositories.
  • Stop using antidiarrheal medications such as Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, and Lomotil.
  • You can take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are medications that reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. Examples of PPIs include Nexium, Dexilant, Protonix, Prevacid, AcipHex, and Priolsec.

Beginning 1 day before your test:

  • Don’t eat any complex carbohydrates like bread, cereals, grains, pasta, crackers, beans, lentils, rice, vegetables, fruit, dairy products, dairy substitutes, candy, mints, soda, sports drinks, or fruit juices. Please see the diet example.
  • Stop eating at 7 p.m. the night before your test. You may still take your necessary medications with water up to 1 hour before your test.

Morning of your test:

  • Brush your teeth.
  • Don’t smoke before arriving for your test.
  • Don’t exercise before arriving for your test.

Please follow these instructions carefully. If you need to cancel or reschedule your procedure, please call 860-679-3238 at least 48 hours in advance.

Test results are typically available to your doctor within one week.