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This test checks for the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria in your stomach. Please follow the steps below carefully to ensure an accurate result.
Preparation
Please do not eat or drink anything (except water) for at least 4 hours before the test.
Step 1: First Breath Sample
Take a deep breath, then exhale steadily and gently into the first collection bag until it is full. The bag will then be sealed. This sample provides your baseline carbon isotope level.
Step 2: Take the Reagent
You will swallow a solution (or granules) containing 13C-labeled urea. Afterward, drink a small amount of warm water.
Step 3: Waiting Period
Please sit quietly and relax for about 30 minutes. If H. pylori is present in your stomach, it will break down the urea during this time and release 13C-labeled carbon dioxide.
Step 4: Second Breath Sample (30 minutes later)
Exhale into a second, new collection bag until full. This bag will also be sealed. This sample shows your carbon isotope level after the reagent has been processed.
Step 5: Analysis
Both sealed bags are placed into the IR-force 13C breath analyzer. The instrument automatically compares the isotope levels from the two samples. It calculates the increase in 13CO₂ to determine your test result. No further action is required from you at this stage.
Special Note
If you are using a nasogastric tube for feeding, please bring the necessary equipment with you on the test day.
Understanding Your Results
The normal result is usually between 0 and 4 dpm (delta per mille). A result above this range generally indicates an active H. pylori infection.
Purpose of the Test
This is a non-invasive test. It is used to diagnose an H. pylori infection initially and to check if treatment has successfully cleared the bacteria.
