Breath Testing Service

Are you looking for a gastroenterologist who specializes in breath tests? Visit Vanguard Gastroenterology where our top Gastroenterologists provide SIBO, H. Pylori, Fructose and Lactose Breath Tests. For more information, please call us or book an appointment online.

What Is A Breath Test?

At Vanguard Gastroenterology, we are able to test patients for intolerances that cause gas, bloating, and even diarrhea. A breath test is performed directly in our office to test for intolerences to certain foods or sugars, as well as an influx in bacteria in the bowels. The patient ingests the sugars we are testing and we monitor their breath to see if there is an increase in hydrogen or methane. If these levels go up, this means they were not able to digest those sugars. Watch as Dr. Brettholz explains what a breath test is.

H – Pylori Breath Test

Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium implicated in gastritis, gastric ulcer, and peptic ulcer disease, and may increase your risk of gastric cancer. Urea Breath Tests Breath testing provides a rapid, non-invasive way of detecting the presence of active H. Pylori infection and is often used to check whether eradication has been successful. This test uses a sample of exhaled breath to determine infection. The principle of this exam relies on the ability of the bacteria to convert a compound called urea to carbon dioxide. When a specially labeled urea is ingested, the exhaled breath can be tested for labeled carbon dioxide. These tests are very accurate and easy to perform. There is no special preparation for the test, but you will be asked to not eat or drink anything 2 hours before your breath test.

Fructose Breath Test

The bacteria that live in your small intestine produce hydrogen when they are exposed to unabsorbed food, particularly sugars and carbohydrates, but not proteins or fats.

Breath tests that measure hydrogen help us to determine if one has lactose or fructose intolerance. This is crucial when we want to determine the types of food that may be responsible for your symptoms. This information will help us better tailor the best diet for you.

The main “sugars” we test for are lactose and fructose. Lactose in found in milk and most milk products like cheese and ice cream. Fructose is found in many fruits and vegetables, like apples and asparagus.

Lactose Breath Test

The bacteria that live in your small intestine produce hydrogen when they are exposed to unabsorbed food, particularly sugars and carbohydrates, but not proteins or fats.

Breath tests that measure hydrogen help us to determine if one has lactose or fructose intolerance. This is crucial when we want to determine the types of food that may be responsible for your symptoms. This information will help us better tailor the best diet for you.

The main “sugars” we test for are lactose and fructose. Lactose in found in milk and most milk products like cheese and ice cream. Fructose is found in many fruits and vegetables, like apples and asparagus.

SIBO Breath Test

This test is great for patients who suffer from bloating, excessive gas, or who have noticed changes in their bowel movements. It tells us whether there is too much bacteria in your small intestine, causing “over-fermentation”. When you have SIBO, your small bowel is overcrowded with bacteria that produces toxin and gas. It is as if your small bowel is a building built for 100 people, but housing 1000 people instead. Hydrogen and methane are gases produced by bacteria, not by humans. The hydrogen (H) & methane (M) gases, produced by bacteria in the small intestine, diffuses into the blood, and then into the lungs for expiration. We ask that you follow a special diet the day before the test that lowers your levels of hydrogen and methane. This is what we call the “baseline”. On the day of the test you will receive a solution containing lactulose (a type of sugar). Your doctor will then be able to interpret your hydrogen and methane levels and determine if you would benefit from changes in your diet, probiotics, antibiotics, etc.

How A Breath Test Is Performed

To prepare for your breath test, please download our patient preparation document.

We serve patients from New York NY, Queens NY, Brooklyn NY, The Bronx NY, East Elmhurst NY, Ridgewood NY, Valley Stream NY, and Staten Island NY.