A hydrogen breath test provides information about the digestion of certain sugars or carbohydrates, such as milk sugar (lactose) or fruit sugar (fructose).  This will help determine if you are intolerant to certain sugars.  One example is the use of this test to detect lactose intolerance, a disorder in which people have symptoms from abnormal processing of lactose, a substance in many foods including milk and ice cream.  The test is also used for detecting bacterial overgrowth (abnormal growth of bacteria) within the small bowel by having the patient ingest lactulose.  Bacterial overgrowth can cause a variety of symptoms including diarrhea, bloating, gas, and abdominal cramping.

Test Procedure

This test will take up to 3 hours to complete.  Please allow sufficient time in your schedule.

All patients are expected to arrive at 7:45am.  Anyone arriving late will be asked to reschedule.  This is a timed test that needs to begin promptly.

The technician will instruct patients to exhale into collection bags at specific time intervals.

A solution of lactulose or kristulose will be consumed by each patient.

During the test you will not be permitted to eat, drink, smoke, chew, sleep or exercise. 

After all necessary collections have been obtained; patients will be able to leave.  Results will be processed and communicated to the patients at a later date.

It remains the patient’s responsibility to contact their insurance company to verify coverage of the breath test (CPT code-91065).  Co-payments will also be collected at time of service where indicated.

Preparation for the Test

Examples of foods to avoid:

• Grain Products
• Whole grain products: including high fiber cereals, pasta and melba toast
• Fruit
• Applesauce, apricots, bananas, cantaloupe, canned fruit cocktail, grapes, honeydew melon, peaches and watermelon
• Fruit Juices
• Raw and dried fruits like raisins and berries
• Yogurt which contains fruit
• Vegetables
• Vegetable Juice
• Potatoes, alfalfa sprouts, beets, green/yellow beans, carrots, celery, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, mushrooms, green/red peppers, squash, zucchini.
• Vegetables from the cruciferous family such as: broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, swiss chard, beans, lentils, etc…
• Nuts/Seeds: All nuts and seeds, as well as foods that may contain seeds
• All Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, butter/margarine
• Avoid all soda drinks

Examples of  foods and drinks are examples of foods you may consume:

• Plain white bread
• Broth/Bouillon
• White rice
• Eggs
• Jell-O
• Baked or broiled chicken, fish, meat
• Non-flavored black coffee or tea

*Salt may be used to flavor your foods.

Day Before the Test:

(24 Hours Prior):

You must avoid slowly digesting foods like beans, vegetables, fruits, bran’s and high fiber foods. This will reduce the chance of hydrogen and methane being produced from the food sources that may interfere with the results of the test.

(12 Hours Prior)

• You must stop eating and drinking 12 hours before the test
• Do not smoke tobacco, chew gum, eat breath mints or candy 1 hour prior to the test.
• Please brush your teeth at least 2 hours prior to appointment
• You may continue to take your usual prescription medicines with a small amount of water the morning of the test.  Oral hypoglycemic medications are usually not taken that morning until completion of the test and resumption of eating normal diet.   If insulin is needed,  take half of your normal long acting insulin.  Further directions can be obtained from the physician.