Breath Testing

WHAT ARE THESE TESTS FOR?
If you suffer symptoms such as abdominal bloating, wind (flatulence), reflux, diarrhoea and/or constipation, and lethargy, this may be the result of your digestive system’s inability to digest certain sugars commonly found in many of the foods we eat.

Breath Hydrogen can aid in the diagnosis of such intolerances and therefore assist in the future treatment and management of these symptoms.

HOW DO THE TESTS WORK?
The procedure for each test (Fructose, Lactose, Glucose and Lactulose) is simple.  You need to perform each test on a different day, with a break of one full day between each test.  At your breath test appointment you will be given a hydrogen breathalyser type device to breathe into.  The first sample is recorded then you will be given a sugar solution to drink, after which another breath sample will be taken from you every 15 minutes over the next 2-3 hours.  Many people complete the  tests for Lactulose, Fructose, Glucose and Lactose within 2 hours, although some take around 3 hours.  You may wish to bring along some reading material or other activity to help pass the time. Your referring practitioner will describe which of the test sugars (Fructose , Glucose or Lactose) you are to do.  However a control test (a Lactulose test) must be performed prior to any of these test sugars, to make sure you produce enough hydrogen gas.  If you are a low or non-hydrogen producer with Lactulose you will be referred to Box Hill Hospital for methane gas testing.

Full information Brochure (PDF)