SIBO Test UK
What is a SIBO test?
A SIBO test is a simple, non-invasive breath test that measures the levels of hydrogen and methane gases produced by bacteria in your small intestine. These gases are exhaled after you ingest a specific sugar solution, allowing us to detect whether bacterial overgrowth is present.
We provide reliable Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) tests in London and the UK, designed for your convenience.
Our SIBO test kit can be delivered directly to your home, allowing you to conduct the test comfortably in your own environment.
To arrange a private SIBO test in the UK, please contact us at help@nutritionandvitality.co.uk or call us at 0345 129 7996.
Who Can Benefit from a SIBO home Test UK?
SIBO can lead to a range of uncomfortable digestive symptoms, including:
- Bloating and excessive gas
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Malabsorption of nutrients, leading to vitamin deficiencies
If you are looking for the root cause of these symptoms a SIBO test may shed some light on why you are experiencing these symptoms.
How do you test for SIBO at home or in a clinic in London?
Patients can do the SIBO test at our clinic in central London with the help of our nurse or we can post you a test kit to do at home.
Testing for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) at home is a convenient and reliable way to diagnose the condition.
There are a number of conditions that have been associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Rosacea
- Acne
- Diabetes
- Appendix removal
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Crohn’s disease
- Food poisoning/gastroenteritis
- Gallbladder removal
- Opiate use
- Chronic use of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
- Tingling sensation (pins and needles)
- Endometriosis
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
Causes of SIBO
Several factors can contribute to SIBO, including:
- Food poisoning or gastroenteritis
- Low stomach acid due to acid-suppressing medications (e.g., Omeprazole, Lansoprazole)
- Crohn’s disease
- Stress
- Gallbladder removal
- Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)
- Surgery
- Constipation
- Lack of pancreatic enzymes
How can I treat SIBO?
Unfortunately SIBO can relapse the treatments available are listed below
- Herbal antibiotics including Oregano- these are effective supplements to combat SIBO
- Following specific SIBO Diets such as Low Fodmap diet
- Taking antibiotics such as Rifaximin and or Neomycin- unfortunately these are not readiy avaialble on the NHS
- Taking motility agents such as Prucalopride/ Ginger
- Taking supplements to improve Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)
- Addressing underlying causes such as stress/ constipation/ medications
- Using an elemental diet- this involves drinking shakes that contain pre-digested carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
What is Methane SIBO?
This means that your test will have elevated levels of methane gas. Methane is produced by specific bacteria, primarily Methanobrevibacter smithii.
The most common symptoms are constipation and bloating and slower gastrointestinal transit times due to the effects of methane, leading to constipation.
How does the SIBO Breath Test work?
Preparation
- Diet Restrictions: In the 24 hours leading up to the test, you’ll be instructed to follow a specific diet, consisting of simple, easily digestible foods like plain white rice or chicken, to minimize gas production.
- Fasting: You’ll need to fast for 12 hours before the test, which means no food or drink (other than water).
- Medications: You may need to stop certain medications, such as antibiotics, probiotics, and laxatives, for a specified period (usually 2 weeks), as they can affect the test results.
Starting the test
Baseline Breath Sample: The test starts by blowing into a tube to provide a baseline breath sample, which will measure the amount of hydrogen and methane gases in your breath.
Ingesting the Test Solution
You’ll drink a solution of either lactulose or glucose. These are non-absorbable sugars that pass through the small intestine and act as a substrate for bacterial fermentation if there is an overgrowth.
Breath sample collection
After drinking the solution, you’ll be asked to provide breath samples at regular intervals, every 20 minutes, for around 3 hours. The breath samples are collected using a tube or small bag, and the amount of hydrogen and methane gases exhaled is measured.
Analysis
- The test measures the levels of hydrogen and methane in your breath. In people with SIBO, the bacteria in the small intestine ferment the sugar (glucose or lactulose), producing elevated levels of these gases.
- If the gases increase significantly within the first 90 minutes of the test, it suggests bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
What is the difference between Lactulose and Gluclose?
Lactulose and glucose are both used to test for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), but they are effective for different parts of the small intestine. The glucose breath test is better for detecting overgrowth in the upper small intestine because it is quickly absorbed there. If bacteria are present, they will ferment the glucose, producing hydrogen or methane gases that can be measured in breath samples. This test provides faster results and has a lower chance of false positives.
In contrast, the lactulose breath test is more reliable for finding overgrowth in the lower small intestine. Since lactulose is not absorbed, it travels further down the digestive tract. This test can give a more complete picture of bacterial overgrowth, but it may take longer to show results and has a higher risk of false positives due to fermentation in the colon.
How can I order a SIBO home test kit?
Order a SIBO Test Kit
You can order an at-home SIBO breath test kit by e-mailing help@nutritionandvitality.co.uk or calling 0345 1297996
The kit includes:
Breath collection tubes or bags
A sugar solution (usually lactulose or glucose)
Detailed instructions on how to perform the test at home
- Order Your Kit: Purchase your SIBO test kit online, and it will be shipped directly to your address.
- Collect Samples: Follow the included instructions to collect breath samples at home.
- Send It Back: Return your samples to our accredited laboratory for analysis.
- Receive Results: You will receive your results via email within 2-5 days.
Can I get a SIBO test on the NHS?
While the test is available through the NHS, obtaining a referral can be challenging as many GPs are still not well-versed in this condition and you may need to wait 6 months or more.
Cheapest and Fastest SIBO Test UK
- Affordability: We pride ourselves on offering the cheapest SIBO test in the UK without compromising on quality.
- Speed: The results will tale 2-5 days and will be e-mailed to you.
What is Hydrogen Sulfide SIBO?
Hydrogen Sulfide SIBO is a type of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth where bacteria produce excess hydrogen sulfide gas. Unlike typical SIBO, which involves hydrogen or methane-producing bacteria, this type is linked to bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide, known for its sulfur or “rotten egg” odour.
Key Features
- Symptoms: Diarrhoea, sulphur-smelling gas, abdominal pain, and sometimes systemic symptoms like fatigue, body pain, and bladder irritation.
SIBO Symptoms
Typical symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling bloated or full, even after small meals
- Struggling with diarrhea or constipation
- Unexplained weight loss, without trying
- Trouble digesting high-fiber foods like broccoli, beans, onions, or garlic
- Constant belching, excess gas, or embarrassing flatulence
- Mental fogginess
- Iron or B12 deficiencies, signaling poor nutrient absorption
- Leaky gut symptoms, like joint pain, skin rashes, or severe food intolerances
- Skin conditions like rosacea flaring up for no clear reason
- Restless Legs
- Fatigue
Why should I take a SIBO test?
Performing a SIBO home test has numerous benefits:
- If you do not wish to wait for a referal from your GP to a Gastroenterologist, it is best to take the matter into your hands
- If you are keen to understand what is causing your symptoms such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea
Can SIBO cause IBS?
Did you know that between 30% to 80% of people with IBS symptoms including diarrhoea, constipation, gas, bloating, and flatulence may actually be suffering from SIBO? Testing for SIBO can be a crucial step in identifying the root cause of digestive issues that are often misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
What is SIBO?
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is defined by the World Journal of Gastroenterology as an “increase in the number and/or alteration in the type of bacteria in the upper gastrointestinal tract.” In a healthy digestive system, the body removes excess bacteria from the small intestine through a process called the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC).
When this process is impaired, bacteria can build up, leading to symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. The bacteria that has overgrown in the small bowel normally lives in your large bowel.
The bacteria tend to cause symptoms such as bloating and gas as they feed off the sugars in the foods that you eat particularly carbohydrates.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, a SIBO test in London could help identify the underlying issue and guide effective treatment.
SIBO Specialists. If you have tested positive for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and would like to get treated please contact our sister clinic the IBS and Gut disorder Clinic and they will book you in with a SIBO specialist in London or by means of a virtual consultation.
Have any questions? Call us now!
0345 1297996
FAQ
How is the SIBO Test performed?
The test can be done either at home or in the laboratory in Central London. At the start of the test, you will need to blow into a balloon with a breath of air. The laboratory will then measure hydrogen and methane from your breath sample. Breath samples are collected 10 times over a 3 hour period. Before doing the hydrogen breath test you will need to fast for 12 hours and eat a low-fibre diet. We will send you full instructions.
What does the test measure?
The test is designed to measure levels of methane and hydrogen in your breath. If these exceed a certain level this is diagnostic of SIBO.
How common is SIBO?
Research indicates that up to 60% of patients with IBS have SIBO.
What is the treatment of SIBO?
You will need to see a professional and take anti-bacterials -Rifaximin or natural herbal remedies may be helpful. We also recommend a low-fodmap diet. If you would like to book a consultation with us please contact or call us on 0345 1297996.
Is diet important to reduce symptoms of SIBO?
Yes, diet is very important. You may need to follow a low-fodmap or SCD diet to help eradicate the bacteria. It is important that you find suitable replacements and still eat in a balanced way. Our consultants can help you.