When bacteria in the digestive tract break down carbohydrates, they produce acids, water, and gases. These gases can be analyzed to study intestinal absorption. An inability to metabolize lactose or fructose can therefore be diagnosed by a breath test.
Due to the acidic environment of the stomach, normally there is a low bacterial count in the duodenum and the jejunum of the small bowel. Certain conditions can permit bacteria to increase to a level known as “Bacterial Overgrowth”. This condition can also be diagnosed by a breath test.
When these tests are ordered by your physician, you will come to the Specialty Clinic (Suite 206) to pick up the kits and get a brief education on how to use the kit and the diet to follow on the day before you do the test kit. The diet sheet is included on this web site.
You will follow the recommended diet until 12 hours before starting the test, at which time you would be able to have water only until the test is completed.
We recommend that you get up ½ hour prior to starting the test, and brush your teeth to remove bacteria. During that ½ before the test and all during the test, no sleeping is allowed and no vigorous activity that would change your breathing rate. During that ½ before the test, dissolve the packet of sugar included in the kit in water and set aside until ready to drink it (after the 1st baseline breath sample is collected).
Note: If you have taken antibiotics, specimens should not be collected less than 10 days after antibiotic treatment is completed. If you are currently taking laxatives, antacids, Metamucil, Citrucel or similar compound, please don’t take a dose the day prior to and during the test.
If you have any questions about Breath Testing, please call the Specialty Clinic at 402-465-8888, extension 4600.
Diet and Preparation for Breath Testing
Frequently Asked Breath Test Questions
- Can I take my insulin as normal?
Yes, we encourage you to take your insulin as normal.
- What do I do if my blood sugar “crashes”?
Please manage your blood sugar by consuming juice or glucose tablets. Please make a note on the sheet with what you consumed, noting the time.
*** If at any time you feel uncomfortable completing this test, please stop the test and call our office during business hours to discuss the next step.
- Can I have sour dough bread?
No, this bread has an exceptionally high fiber density.
- Can I complete these tests 3 days in a row?
Yes, when you’ve completed your first test, resume the diet and complete your fasting overnight. The next morning, complete test #2. Resume diet, fast overnight, and complete test #3.
- What happens if I mess up the diet the day before?
Unfortunately, you will need to repeat the diet. Please start the diet the following day and continue with instructions on fasting and completing the test.
- Can I access the drop box after business hours?
No, there is no access to the drop box after business hours. These kits can be mailed at the patient’s expense if unable to return to our drop box.
- What happens if I forget to collect a baseline sample?
If it’s within a few minutes of drinking the sugar, you can collect a baseline sample right away. If it’s been more than a few minutes, please stop the test and call our office during business hours for your next instructions.
- How soon will I receive my results and how will I be notified?
Every physician team varies in how the results are delivered. Some may notify you by phone while others may send a letter. Results typically take 2-3 weeks to process. Your 2-week return time per kit is factored into our processing time.
***Please note that if you’re having questions about what you can consume while preparing for your test; if the fiber content is above 1 gram you will need to avoid that item. Please read your food labels or if access, you can google the fiber content to verify.
