SIBO - Comprehensive Breath Test - Lactulose, Glucose, Fructose
Professional clinical interpretation included.
For individuals experiencing more severe or persistent digestive symptoms, combination breath testing may provide additional insight to help guide dietary and treatment recommendations.
This test may also help determine whether fructose malabsorption is present and whether fructose may need to be temporarily reduced or avoided during treatment.
SIBO breath testing using lactulose, fructose, and glucose substrates is a non-invasive test used to assess small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
During the test, you will drink solutions containing specific sugars (lactulose, glucose, and fructose). If excess bacteria are present in the small intestine, they may ferment these sugars and produce gases such as hydrogen and methane.
These gases are absorbed into the bloodstream and released through the lungs, where they can be measured in the breath.
Breath samples are collected every 20 minutes over a 3-hour period.
Each sugar provides different information about digestive function:
• Lactulose – travels through the entire small intestine and helps identify bacterial fermentation patterns associated with SIBO.
• Glucose – is absorbed earlier in the digestive tract and can help detect bacterial overgrowth in the upper small intestine.
• Fructose – helps assess fructose malabsorption, which can contribute to bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort.
Using multiple substrates provides a broader evaluation of bacterial fermentation and carbohydrate digestion.
Your results help determine whether SIBO or carbohydrate malabsorption may be contributing to your symptoms and whether these findings should be addressed as part of your personalised health protocol.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when excessive bacteria are present in the small intestine, where normally only small numbers should exist.
These bacteria can ferment carbohydrates and produce gases such as hydrogen and methane, which may contribute to a range of digestive symptoms.
Combination breath testing can help identify:
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Fructose malabsorption
• Abnormal fermentation of carbohydrates in the digestive tract
Understanding whether these issues are present can help guide dietary recommendations and targeted treatment strategies.
Testing may be particularly helpful for individuals experiencing persistent digestive symptoms that have not improved with standard approaches.
Common Symptoms that may be associated with SIBO include…
- Bloating and abdominal distension
- Excess gas and digestive discomfort
- Diarrhoea / Constipation
- Reflux / Burping / GORD
- Food sensitivities or intolerances
- IBS type symptoms
- Nutrient malabsorption
- Iron / B12 deficiency
- Fatigue & Brain Fog
- Joint Pain / Inflammation
- Skin Rashes or unexplained skin issues
