Hydrogen Breath Testing Melbourne

To test if you are fructose or lactose intolerant or whether you may have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) your clinician will order a Hydrogen Breath Test. This is a simple test where you breathe into a handheld device. Your breath is analysed and shows how you digest lactose (milk sugar) or fructose (fruit sugar) or have SIBO. The test is based on the fact that intestinal bacteria in the gut produces hydrogen gas, normally in the large intestine, by fermenting carbohydrates such as the sugars fructose, lactose and others.The bacteria can be detected in the breath, since some of the hydrogen it produces is absorbed by the mucosa in the intestines and then into the bloodstream and is carried to the lungs. The small intestine usually breaks the sugars down so they don’t get to the large intestine. However, many adults cannot absorb the sugars in the small intestine so they go to the colon where they produce a large amount of hydrogen that can be measured during the breath test.

Are You At Risk?

If you need a Hydrogen Breath Test to check for lactose, fructose intolerance or SIBO you need to take the following steps:

Step 1. Call Direct Endoscopy on 97815959 and ask for an appointment for your test
Step 2. Print Referral Form and take it to your Doctor
Step 3. Click here to Read the Appointments Page

Be aware that the Hydrogen Breath Test can take from two to three hours and is a very safe test with no side effects other than possibly reproducing some of your symptoms for a little while.

Are You Fructose or Lactose Intolerant or have SIBO?

The symptoms of lactose and fructose intolerance or malabsorption of sugars and the resultant forming of excessive gas in the large bowel include:

• Nausea
• Bloating
• Stomach cramps
• Wind
• Flatulence
• Loose stools
• Stomach rumbling

When they eat sugary foods they cannot digest, some people report symptoms such as:

• Irritability/restlessness
• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Tingling
• Cold or heat sensations
• Dizziness

Now Just $50 per Test With a Medicare Rebate

A range of hydrogen breath tests are now offered by Direct Endoscopy and we are pleased to provide our diagnostic services at economical rates for the investigation of intolerances to common foods and ingredients such as lactose and fructose.

Direct Endoscopy has offered high quality services for digestive health for more than two decades and has now grown to become one of the largest providers of digestive health and endoscopy services in Australia. We operate three Day Hospitals in Melbourne where our skilled and dedicated team of specialist gastroenterologists strive to provide high quality endoscopy and specialist consultations in all areas of digestive and gastro-intestinal conditions.

To prepare for the Hydrogen Breath Test

For the week before your breath test:

• DO NOT take any oral or intravenous antibiotics or probiotics including yogurt. Ear drops/eye drops or skin creams are OK.
• DO NOT undertake any Barium Meal Enema or Colonoscopy procedures.

One full day before your Hydrogen Breath Test:

You can only eat or drink:

✓   Lactose-free milk (soy or rice milk is ok)

✓   Black tea or coffee with no sugar

✓   Water, or soda water

✓   Eggs

✓   Grilled or steamed fish

✓   Clear soup or broth with no seasonings, no salt or pepper

✓   Skinless chicken

✓   Meat, but no processed meat products and with no flavourings; e.g. no bacon or sausages

These are NOT to be eaten or drunk for the full day before your breath test:

X   NO Milk, NO dairy products.

X   NO Honey or tinned fruit

X   NO Onions or garlic

X   NO Vegetables or fruit

X   NO Alcohol

X   NO Sports drinks, fruit Juice or soft drinks – only plain water

X   NO Foods high in fibre

X   NO Pasta, beans or legumes, bread, rice, cereal, oats or bran

X   NO Supplements for added fibre such as Metamucil®

X   NO Processed Meat

X   NO Laxatives

X   NO Tofu

X   NO Flavourings

X   NO salt or pepper

FAST from 9pm the night before your Hydrogen Breath Test:

You can drink plain water in the lead-up to the breath test.

What to do on the morning of your test:

• • Do not smoke

• • Continue your fast.

• • Brush your teeth thoroughly but not with toothpaste – use water

• • Take your usual medication with plain water.

• No physical exercise in the hour before your test.

Call Direct Endoscopy today to make an appointment to diagnose your possible fructose or lactose intolerance via a
Hydrogen Breath Test.