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Both sugar malabsorption and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) are diagnosed using breath tests. These tests are often performed in the comfort of home using at home collection kits but can also be conducted locally at our lab if additional supervision or support is needed.
The Sugar and SIBO Breath Test Collection videos provide an overview of how to collect a breath sample for that specific test. We recommend watching the corresponding video for the test before sample collection. The Preparation Diet video is necessary for those collecting samples for the SIBO breath test and should be watched a few days before collection is planned.
Sugar (fructose, sucrose, and lactose) Breath Test Collection Instructions
SIBO Breath Test Collection Instructions
SIBO Preparation Diet
Follow the simple instructions provided with your collection kit. If the instructions are missing, you can download them below. The name of your test is on the side of the box you received. Please note that the SIBO test requires either the lactulose or glucose collection instructions and the Preparation Diet Instructions.
If you have any questions, please contact your healthcare provider for assistance.
Malabsorption Breath Test Instructions
SIBO Breath Test Instructions
You are about to perform a lactulose/glucose challenged breath test. This breath test will measure hydrogen and methane gases to diagnose SIBO. The SIBO breath test is performed after a 1-2 day prep diet and avoidance of certain medications and supplements that affect gut motility and bacterial population density. Your healthcare provider will determine the length of your prep diet.
Please review the instructions below. If you have any questions, contact your healthcare provider.
Watch the SIBO Breath Collection Instructions and Preparation Diet videos now and before collection.
Review Before Testing requirements. Contact your healthcare provider with questions.
Review the SIBO Preparation Diet. Contact your healthcare with any questions.
The lab will provide results to your healthcare provider 2-4 days after receiving the samples.
Return the completed forms and samples using the provided box and prepaid mailing label.
Follow the simple Quintron instructions provided. Contact us with collection questions.
You are about to perform a lactulose/glucose challenged breath test. This breath test will measure hydrogen and methane gases to diagnose SIBO. The SIBO breath test is performed after a 1-2 day prep diet and avoidance of certain medications and supplements that affect gut motility and bacterial population density. Your healthcare provider will determine the length of your prep diet.
Please review the instructions below. If you have any questions, contact your healthcare provider.
Watch the SIBO Breath Collection Instructions and Preparation Diet videos now and before collection.
Review Before Testing requirements. Contact your healthcare provider with questions.
Review the SIBO Preparation Diet. Contact your healthcare with any questions.
The lab will provide results to your healthcare provider 2-4 days after receiving the samples.
Return the completed forms and samples using the provided box and prepaid mailing label.
Follow the simple Quintron instructions provided. Contact us with collection questions.
If you are not able to comply with these guidelines, you may not be a candidate for a breath test. Your doctor can assist you in determining if another test without these preparation limits is more suitable. If you have questions, please contact your healthcare provider.
No antibiotics (unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare provider)
No surgery
No antifungals or natural antimicrobials (unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare provider)
Surgery, colonoscopy, enemas or colonics
Avoid all laxatives. This includes probiotics, vitamin C and magnesium being taken specifically to induce a laxative effect.
Perform preparation diet as directed by your healthcare provider. See section below for details.
No smoking, including second-hand smoke
No sleeping
No vigorous exercise
Before you start the SIBO breath test, a 1-2 day preparation is required consisting of a 1-2 day (12-36 hours) restricted diet and a 12-hour fasting period (stop eating in the early evening the day before testing and do not eat until after you test the following morning).
If you are uncertain if something will affect the test, avoid the product/food or consult your healthcare provider prior to starting the test.
Follow the diet determined by your healthcare provider.
SIBO bacteria love plant products and sugars, so the only foods you can have are those shown here. If it is not on this list, DO NOT eat it.
Type I: Do not take the glucose test. You may take the lactulose test, which must be ordered by a healthcare provider with prescribing abilities.
Type II: Do not take medications the day of the test and start the test as early as possible in the morning. The lactulose test can be used but requires a lab order by a prescribing healthcare provider.
Lactulose is a man-made sugar that humans cannot digest, but SIBO bacteria love. It acts like a fertilizer for SIBO bugs. Drinking lactulose will not cause the same “sugar high” as sugars that humans can digest (like sucrose or fructose).
Lactulose also acts as a laxative, so some people may experience the effects of needing to use the restroom during the test. Some people may experience an increase in symptoms associated with SIBO activity (like bloating and gas).
Lactulose use requires authorization from a prescribing healthcare provider. Glucose can be ordered by any healthcare provider.
No. Lactose is the sugar from milk. Lactulose is man-made and has a completely different chemical makeup. However, the liquid lactulose solution that comes with the SIBO kit can contain up to 1.2 grams of lactose in it.
People who are allergic to or have severe lactose intolerance should ask their doctors if this test is right for them.
Most people with lactose intolerance tolerate lactulose due to only a trace amount of lactose present in the test sample.
Narcotics: Do not take these the day of the test
Laxatives (such as Metamucil, Dulcolax, Ex-Lax): Stop taking laxatives 4 days before taking the test. Laxatives may include high doses of vitamin C, magnesium or other herbal therapies used for laxative effects.
Antibiotics: Stop taking 2-4 weeks before taking the test, consult with your healthcare provider for the exact timeframe.
Antifungals: Stop taking 2 weeks before testing.
Probiotics: It is recommended to avoid taking probiotics 4 days before taking the test. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine if this pertains to you.
The only seasonings allowed are salt and pepper and should be used in moderation.
No. Gum is not allowed during any part of the preparation period.
No. The test must be back at the lab 7 days after collection. It is recommended you mail it out immediately, but a delay of 3-4 days is fine.
If you are taking magnesium for a laxative effect, please stop taking it 4 days before you collect your samples. If you are not taking it for a laxative effect, you may continue taking it.
The meat (fish, chicken, or turkey) cannot be grilled.
If you are unsure, please contact the healthcare provider who ordered the test for you.
If any of the materials in the kit are broken or missing, please contact us at 651-342-0427 to have new materials sent to you.
No, once you collect a specimen a collection tube can not be reused.
Collect the missed sample as soon as possible but remain on the original 20-minute interval schedule. It is more important to collect baseline-120 minutes for the best possible test interpretation.
You may have received an email with tracking information when your test was shipped. If you did not receive the email, please contact your healthcare provider or request tracking information using the contact form on the Neurovanna website.
Please request a return shipping label by contacting Neurovanna in one of the following ways: fill out the contact form on the Neurovanna website, email us at cs@neurovanna.com, or call our support team.
We ship kits using the United States Postal Service (USPS). All return shipping labels also use USPS.
Finalized test results are usually complete within 4 business days of arriving at the lab. The final test results are released to your healthcare provider. Please contact them to get your results.
Our patient brochure shares information about SIBO, its symptoms, cases of mistaken identity, and associated clinical complaints like skin issues.
