The test should also last for three hours to get the most accurate result. Some NHS tests may only measure hydrogen. The test should measure both these gases. Your breath samples are then analysed to measure the levels of certain gases (methane and hydrogen) you breathed out. If you do get referred to a gastroenterologist for a SIBO test, you’ll drink a sugary solution then spend a few hours at the hospital, breathing into a tube every 20 minutes. If you live in an area where the NHS doesn’t test for SIBO, you can get a SIBO test privately, either through us at Healthpath or another provider. Some NHS trusts don’t test for SIBO, so even if your GP agrees that you should have a SIBO test, they can’t refer you for one. Check out our article SIBO test: all your questions answered to find out everything you need to know about SIBO testing in the UK. If you’re finding it all a bit confusing, you’re not alone. If your GP wants you to get a SIBO test, they have to refer you to a gastroenterologist who will carry out the test, usually at a hospital. This is important because even if your GP has heard of SIBO, they may not be aware of the fact that it can cause constipation as well as diarrhoea. SIBO symptomsĪ study in 2007 stated that the symptoms of SIBO are:Ī 2020 study brought together some of the latest research and guidelines on SIBO, and states that SIBO can cause constipation. You can find out more about the symptoms of SIBO and the health conditions linked to it on our SIBO page. It could be a good idea to show your GP some of this research if they are unfamiliar with SIBO. There are now hundreds of research papers on SIBO. If you can show your GP medically reviewed evidence that your gut symptoms point towards SIBO, they are a lot more likely to recommend a test. The symptoms of SIBO are also the symptoms of many other health conditions, so it’s very difficult to diagnose it without a test. If you want your GP to test for SIBO, you might need to help them a little. The bad news is that not all doctors recognise SIBO, and some may not have even heard of it. The good news is that many doctors now test for SIBO, which means you can get tested and treated for SIBO on the NHS. Today, research has found that upto 85% of people with IBS symptoms have SIBO. Twenty years ago, we thought bacteria only overgrew in your small intestine after an operation, or if you had a serious problem with your immune system. Your small intestine is only supposed to contain low numbers of bacteria and other microbes.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth-better known as ‘SIBO’-has got a lot of press in recent years.