Testing For SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
Updated: Sep 6, 2022
If you read my last blog post, Is SIBO or SIFO (Small Intestinal Bacterial/Fungal Overgrowth) Causing Your IBS? and this resonated with you, keep reading. This blog post is all about how to test for SIBO, using the Lactulose Breath Test.
We know that SIBO is massively underdiagnosed and could be responsible for up to 85% of IBS cases. But why is SIBO so commonly missed or overlooked?
A big part of the problem is lack of knowledge and testing availability for SIBO in the medical community.
Many people assume they need to go to their doctor for this test, only to find out their doctor is unfamiliar with it. In many countries, you can actually order this test straight from the internet, as it's an 'at-home' test. Although I definitely encourage you to work with someone who has experience in interpreting lactulose breath test results and providing the appropriate treatment protocol, my point is, this doesn't necessarily need to be a medical doctor.
In this blog post, we will cover:
- The lactulose breath test
- Limitations of the test
- Do you have to test?
- Hydrogen Sulfide SIBO
- What about stool tests?
The Lactulose Breath Test
The ‘gold standard’ for non-invasive SIBO testing is a breath test that measures the levels of hydrogen and methane gas in your breath. I use the SIBO Lactulose Test with my clients, which is a simple, non-invasive test that can be ordered online a