SIBO Glucose & Lactulose Test

GLUCOSE AND LACTULOSE OPTIONS FOR SMALL INTESTINAL BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH

Uncover whether bacterial overgrowth in your small intestine could be driving your digestive symptoms.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when bacteria that normally reside in the large intestine migrate into the small intestine. This imbalance can disrupt digestion, cause inflammation, and lead to symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhoea, constipation, or abdominal discomfort.

The SIBO Breath Test offered by Steve Grant Health measures the gases (hydrogen and methane) produced by bacteria in the small intestine after consuming a sugar substrate. By analysing these gases, the test can identify bacterial overgrowth and determine whether it is hydrogen-dominant, methane-dominant, or mixed.

We offer two testing options – SIBO Glucose and SIBO Lactulose – each with unique benefits depending on your symptoms and test history.

1: SIBO Glucose Breath Test

The SIBO Glucose Test is ideal for assessing bacterial overgrowth in the upper part of the small intestine. Glucose is absorbed quickly in the early sections of the small intestine, making this test particularly effective for identifying overgrowths closer to the stomach.

Key Features:

• Uses glucose as the substrate
• Detects hydrogen, methane, or mixed SIBO patterns
• Best suited for identifying proximal (upper small bowel) overgrowth
• Fast absorption provides a clear and specific result

Recommended for individuals who:

• Experience bloating, discomfort, or pain soon after eating
• Have reflux-type symptoms or upper-abdominal bloating
• Are undergoing SIBO testing for the first time

Turnaround time: Approximately 4 working days
Sample type: Breath samples
Price: £173 (test only – excludes consultation or interpretation)

2: SIBO Lactulose Breath Test

The SIBO Lactulose Test provides a broader assessment of the small intestine, identifying overgrowths that may occur further along the digestive tract. Lactulose is not absorbed, allowing it to travel through the entire small intestine and reveal SIBO in areas throughout the small intestine.

Key features:

• Uses lactulose as the substrate
• Detects hydrogen, methane, or mixed gas profiles
• Provides a wider view of bacterial overgrowth throughout the small bowel
• Useful for identifying both early and late-onset fermentation patterns

Recommended for individuals who:

• Have persistent bloating, irregular bowel habits, or suspected distal SIBO
• Have previously tested negative on a glucose test but still have symptoms
• Want a more comprehensive assessment of the entire small intestine

Turnaround time: Approximately 4 working days
Sample type: Breath samples
Price: £173 (test only – excludes consultation or interpretation)