A hydrogen breath test is a common screening to measure the amount of hydrogen present in a person’s breath. The amount of hydrogen in the breath can provide an indication of gastrointestinal disease or illness. In people, anaerobic bacteria located in the colon is the only type of bacteria that can produce hydrogen. When you see a Brooklyn gastrointestinal doctor at our office in Cobble Hill or on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn, NY, he or she may recommend this test if there is a reason to believe you have an associated illness.
When a doctor believes one of three conditions may be present:
- Dietary sugars are not digested normally. This is common in lactose intolerance, and may be from sucrose, fructose, or sorbitol.
- Bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel is present. This occurs when a large number of colonic bacteria are in the small intestine.
- Rapid passage of food through the small intestine is occurring.
- Individuals who have symptoms such as abdominal bloating and pain, diarrhea, flatulence, and distention may require this type of testing.
You’ll fast for at least 12 hours prior to the test. You’ll blow into a balloon to fill it with air. Then, the doctor can measure the amount of hydrogen present in that air as it is released. At this step, you will then ingest a small amount of test sugar, usually the type of sugar product (such as lactose, fructose, or sorbitol thought to be the problem). You’ll provide additional breath samples over a period of 15 minutes for several hours.
After the testing, your Brooklyn gastroenterologist will try to determine if there is any type of intolerance present and offer recommendations for treatment and care. The hydrogen breath test is very effective for measuring dietary sugar intolerance and rapid passing of food through the intestine. It generally is only 60% successful in detecting overgrowth of bacteria. This may require further testing.
If you have pain or discomfort after eating in your abdomen, it is a good idea to consult with our Brooklyn gastro doctor to determine if a hydrogen breath test is necessary. This, along with other diagnostic information, can provide a snapshot of what’s happening within your digestive system and may lead to treatment and improvement in quality of life.