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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,258
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Anyone Have A "Breath Test" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

I'm scheduled to have one of these in the next week or two and am wondering if anyone else has had this diagnostic. Am interested in the length of the test, the liquid that one must drink and whether you felt the test useful in your particular case, if you care to share.

Many thanks in advance - Rebecca

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,304
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

My daughter had one a couple years ago. It took about 3-4 hours I think. You drink this sweet liquid and every 20 minutes you blow into a tube. The liquid is something that bacteria love. She only drank it once. Found out she didn't had the virus that causes so much grief.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,258
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

On 8/26/2014 wagirl said:

My daughter had one a couple years ago. It took about 3-4 hours I think. You drink this sweet liquid and every 20 minutes you blow into a tube. The liquid is something that bacteria love. She only drank it once. Found out she didn't had the virus that causes so much grief.


wagirl,

Thanks so much for the information. I really appreciate it.

Super Contributor
Posts: 958
Registered: ‎02-06-2014

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

thanks for the info

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Registered: ‎06-13-2012

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

On 8/26/2014 wagirl said:

My daughter had one a couple years ago. It took about 3-4 hours I think. You drink this sweet liquid and every 20 minutes you blow into a tube. The liquid is something that bacteria love. She only drank it once. Found out she didn't had the virus that causes so much grief.

I'm confused- a virus is different than bacteria. You meant bacteria that "causes so much grief", not virus right?

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,258
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

On 8/26/2014 HappyDaze said:
On 8/26/2014 wagirl said:

My daughter had one a couple years ago. It took about 3-4 hours I think. You drink this sweet liquid and every 20 minutes you blow into a tube. The liquid is something that bacteria love. She only drank it once. Found out she didn't had the virus that causes so much grief.

I'm confused- a virus is different than bacteria. You meant bacteria that "causes so much grief", not virus right?


I think she meant bacteria, as my GI doc indicated the issue is specifically with bacteria.

Super Contributor
Posts: 370
Registered: ‎04-18-2013

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

My daughter had the test done last month, GI specialist did it to R/O bacteria said the test alone is non-conclusive however wanted to do less invasive tests 1st. Good Luck
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Posts: 11,153
Registered: ‎05-22-2012

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

Is this the test for H. Pylori? It definitely didn't take me 3-4 hours. It took maybe 20-30 minutes. You go in swallow something containing urea and radioactive isotopes. Mine was in crystals that reminded me of Pop Rocks. I waited about 15 minutes and then breathed into a bag and went home. They had the results about a week later. It was super easy. Years before I had to do a barium swallow and that was much less pleasant.

You should call your doctor or the lab now and ask them about how you should prepare for the test. There are some medications you need to stop taking 1-2 weeks before the test. You can also ask your particular lab about the procedure and estimated time.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,304
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

On 8/26/2014 HappyDaze said:
On 8/26/2014 wagirl said:

My daughter had one a couple years ago. It took about 3-4 hours I think. You drink this sweet liquid and every 20 minutes you blow into a tube. The liquid is something that bacteria love. She only drank it once. Found out she didn't had the virus that causes so much grief.

I'm confused- a virus is different than bacteria. You meant bacteria that "causes so much grief", not virus right?

So sorry--yes I meant bacteria not virus

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Posts: 14,304
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

On 8/26/2014 ChynnaBlue said:

Is this the test for H. Pylori? It definitely didn't take me 3-4 hours. It took maybe 20-30 minutes. You go in swallow something containing urea and radioactive isotopes. Mine was in crystals that reminded me of Pop Rocks. I waited about 15 minutes and then breathed into a bag and went home. They had the results about a week later. It was super easy. Years before I had to do a barium swallow and that was much less pleasant.

You should call your doctor or the lab now and ask them about how you should prepare for the test. There are some medications you need to stop taking 1-2 weeks before the test. You can also ask your particular lab about the procedure and estimated time.

Yes it was for H.pylori and it did take that long. But that was a few years ago so maybe the test has changed. I hope so.