Wellness

[focksie]

From WebMD:

A Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) test is done to:

• Find out whether an infection with H. pylori bacteria may be causing an ulcer or irritation of the stomach lining (gastritis).
• Find out whether treatment for an H. pylori infection has been successful.

Four tests are used to detect H. pylori:

• Blood antibody test. A blood test checks to see whether your body has made antibodies to H. pylori bacteria. If you have antibodies to H. pylori in your blood, it means you either are currently infected or have been infected in the past.
• Urea breath test. A urea breath test checks to see if you have H. pylori bacteria in your stomach. This test can show if you have an H. pylori infection. It can also be used to see if treatment has worked to get rid of H. pylori.
• Stool antigen test. A stool antigen test checks to see if substances that trigger the immune system to fight an H. pylori infection (H. pyloriantigens) are present in your feces (stool). Stool antigen testing may be done to help support a diagnosis of H. pylori infection or to find out whether treatment for an H. pylori infection has been successful.
• Stomach biopsy. A small sample (biopsy) is taken from the lining of your stomach and small intestine during an endoscopy. Several different tests may be done on the biopsy sample. To learn more, see the topic Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

The breath sample is collected when you blow into a balloon or blow bubbles into a bottle of liquid. The health professional taking a sample of your breath will:

• Collect a sample of your breath before the test starts.
• Give you a capsule or some water to swallow that contains tagged or radioactive material.
• Collect samples of your breath at different times. The breath samples will be tested to see if they contain material formed when H. pyloricomes into contact with the tagged or radioactive material.
• The urea breath test usually takes about 30 minutes.

How To Prepare:

Do not eat or drink for at least 6 hours before a breath test or a stomach biopsy.

Many medicines may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the prescription and nonprescription medicines you take. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking some of your medicines.

• Do not take antibiotics or medicines containing bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol) for 1 month before the test.
• Do not take proton pump inhibitors for 2 weeks before the test.
• Do not take H2 blockers, such as Pepcid, Zantac, Axid, or Tagamet, for 24 hours before the test.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may mean.

[LizzieLu]

Hi Rebecca,

Yes, I had the hydrogen breath test for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth just a few weeks ago. I had to fast 12-18 hrs prior to the test. You take a baseline sample, then drink the solution and take a breath sample every 20 min for 4 hours. During those 4 hrs you cannot ingest anything, smoke, sleep or move around. I did this at home but some do it in a doctors office. Mine was positive and took Rifaximin for 2 weeks. Will return to the GI guy in a week. Was negative for ulcers, allergies, parasites. Good luck!