Breath Tests for Malabsorption

GASTROLAB HYDROGEN & METHANE BREATH TESTS

FOR MALABSORPTION AND IBS

Gastrolab performs Hydrogen and Methane breath tests to diagnose:

·        Lactose, Fructose, Sorbitol and Sucrose malabsorption

·        Small bowel bacterial overgrowth

Diet Solutions can refer you for relevant breath tests. This can be done prior to your appointment, or you can see one of our dietitians who can start assisting the management of your symptoms and you can have the breath tests done afterwards. The diet can then be fine-tuned depending on breath test outcomes.

What Are Hydrogen/Methane Breath Tests?

Hydrogen/Methane breath tests are established, accurate and reliable clinical tests that have been shown to be superior compared to elimination diets, biopsy, blood tests, genetic tests and stool tests in diagnosing carbohydrate malabsorption.

Breath tests are non-invasive and are safe in children, pregnancy and diabetics. They are the test of choice for both physicians and patients to either confirm or eliminate the diagnosis of carbohydrate malabsorption and small bowel bacterial overgrowth.

The utility of breath tests have been validated in research studies published over the past 30 years – as of February 2011, a literature search with the words “hydrogen breath test” and “methane breath test” reveals over 2,000 articles published in international peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals.

Who Should Be Tested Using Hydrogen/Methane Breath Tests?

Patients with malabsorption and small bowel bacterial overgrowth typically experience bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, altered bowel movements, cramping and general abdominal discomfort, especially if these symptoms occur after eating certain foods. Some patients may have weight loss, nutritional deficiencies and report a lack of energy. Specific risk factors include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Functional symptoms of bloating, pain, wind, and altered bowel habits
• Coeliac disease 
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Previous gastrointestinal surgery
• Family history of malabsorption

Hydrogen/Methane breath tests have been included in the American Gastroenterological Association and British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for the diagnostic work up of chronic and osmotic diarrhoea in adults (Gastroenterol 1999;116:1464-86; Gut 2003;52:v1-v15).

Why Is A Proper Diagnosis Of Malabsorption Important?

1.  Hydrogen/Methane breath tests generate objective results which provide convincing evidence that the problem is real and the cause is known, which gives confidence to the physician and reassurance to the patient. This is particularly important for chronic sufferers and patients who are told that their symptoms arise as a result of stress – these patients may not be aware that their problem can be medically explained and that their symptoms can be managed after the condition is identified.
2. Breath tests generate semi-quantitative data which can provide an indication of the severity of the malabsorption and may indicate the patient’s possibility of including some foods in the diet without generating symptoms of intolerance. Because malabsorption is dose dependent, these results can then guide the patient’s clinical management – a qualified Dietitian can advise of certain evidence-based strategies to control symptoms, such as the degree of avoidance of certain “trigger” foods, dietary approaches to increase absorption of high-fructose foods, and the use of enzyme supplements to increase absorption of foods containing lactose. Research studies show that a proper diagnosis and effective dietary intervention significantly reduces the severity and frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms reported by study subjects.
3. Malabsorption can be easy to misdiagnose. It is important to understand that malabsorption is NOT a food allergy, meaning there are no typical allergic symptoms, and no production of IgE antibodies or release of histamine. The diagnosis of food intolerance and food allergy (eg. coeliac disease) is different, and the needs of those with food intolerances and food allergies are very specific.

Gastrolab

Gastrolab is headed by two consultant Gastroenterologists and a Medical Scientist all with:

• positions in the Gastroenterology departments of tertiary hospitals in Melbourne
• an interest in functional gut disorders, especially malabsorption and IBS
• significant experience and expertise in hydrogen and methane breath testing

Gastrolab is Australia’s largest provider of hydrogen and methane breath test services with clinics in the following locations:

·        VIC (Essendon, Coburg, Bundoora, Fitzroy, Toorak, Werribee, Caroline Springs,        St Albans, Shepparton)

·        NSW (Five Dock, Darlinghurst, Mosman)

·        ACT (Bruce, Garran)

·        WA (Subiaco, Murdoch)

Gastrolab Contact

Ph: 1300 624 771

Website: http://www.gastrolab.com.au/

Email: enquiries@gastrolab.com.au