A hydrogen breath test (HBT) or hydrogen-methane breath test is a breath test used as a diagnostic tool for small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and carbohydrate malabsorption, such as lactose, fructose, and sorbitol malabsorption. The test is a simple, non-invasive procedure, and is performed after a short period of fasting (typically 8–12 hours). Hydrogen breath tests are based on the fact that there is no source for hydrogen gas in humans other than bacterial metabolism of carbohydrates. The test is normally known as a hydrogen breath test, but often includes testing for methane. Many studies have shown that some people (approximately 35% or more) do not produce hydrogen but actually produce methane, and sometimes a combination of the two gases is found. Other people, who are known as "non-responders", don't produce any gas; it has not yet been determined whether they may actually produce another gas. In addition to hydrogen and methane, some facilities also utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) in the patient's breath to determine if the breath samples that are being analyzed are contaminated (either with room air or bronchial dead space air). Physicians have expressed concern at the improper use and widespread overdiagnoses related to interpretation of these tests.
Conditions Tests vary from country to country, so the following information is provided as a rough guide to typical uses of the hydrogen breath test: Fructose malabsorption – the patient takes a base reading of hydrogen levels in their breath. The patient is then given 25-35g of fructose, and then required to take readings every 15, 30 or 60 minutes for three - five hours. The basis of the test is a failure to absorb the given sugar, which is then metabolized by bacteria that give off either hydrogen or methane. Therefore, the more gas that is produced, the less absorption has occurred. If the level of hydrogen rises above 20 ppm (parts per million) over the lowest preceding value within the test period, the patient is typically diagnosed as a fructose malabsorber. If the patient produces methane then the parts per million for the methane typically rises 12 ppm over the lowest preceding value to be considered positive. If the patient produces both hydrogen and methane then the values are typically added together and the mean of the numbers is used to determine positive results, usually 15 ppm over the lowest preceding value. A positive result may also be caused by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, rather than fructose malabsorption. Lactose malabsorption – the patient takes a base reading of hydrogen levels in their breath. The patient is then given a small amount of pure lactose (typically 20 to 25 g), and then required to take readings every 15, 30 or 60 minutes for two to three hours. If the level of hydrogen rises above 20 ppm (parts per million) over the lowest preceding value within the test period, the patient is typically diagnosed as a lactose malabsorber. If the patient produces methane then the parts per million for the methane typically rises 12 ppm over the lowest preceding value to be considered positive. If the patient produces both hydrogen and methane then the values are typically added together and the mean of the numbers is used to determine positive results, usually 15 ppm over the lowest preceding value. A positive result may also be caused by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, rather than lactose malabsorption. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) – the patient is either given a challenge dose of glucose, also known as dextrose (75–100 grams), or lactulose (10 grams). A baseline breath sample is collected, and then additional samples are collected at 15 minute or 20 minute intervals for 2 hours. Positive diagnosis for a lactulose SIBO breath test – typically positive if the patient produces approximately 20 ppm of hydrogen and/or methane within the first 60–90 minutes (indicates bacteria in the small intestine), followed by a much larger peak (colonic response). This is also known as a biphasic pattern. Lactulose is not absorbed by the digestive system and can help determine distal end bacterial overgrowth, which means the bacteria are lower in the small intestine.
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