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SIBO/IMO Lactulose Breath Test

Updated over a year ago

Test Details

Lab Company: Commonwealth Diagnostics International, Inc.
​​Sample Type: Breath
​Collection Location: At Home

This test is used to aid in the diagnosis of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO). This test comes with a LACTULOSE substrate.

Key Details

  • 💊 You must avoid taking certain medications before sample collection.

  • 🍽️ You must follow a specific diet for 24 hours before sample collection.

  • 🚫 You must fast for 12 hours before sample collection.

  • ⏰ Sample collection is STRICTLY TIMED.

  • 📦 Save the test kit box. You will use this to ship your samples back to the laboratory.

  • 🚚 Ship your samples within 24 hours of collection.

Preparation & Timing

  • Avoid using any antibiotics for 4 weeks before sample collection.

  • Avoid taking the following substances for 1 week before sample collection.

    • Laxatives

    • Promotility drugs

24 Hours Before Sample Collection

  • Avoid the following activities:

    • Smoking

    • Vaping

  • You must follow a specific diet. YOU CAN ONLY EAT AND DRINK THE FOLLOWING ITEMS.

    • Drinks

      • Plain coffee

      • Plain black tea

      • Plain green tea

      • Water

    • Meat - baked or broiled only

      • Chicken

      • Turkey

      • Lean beef

      • Lean pork

      • Seafood

    • Other Food

      • Eggs

      • White rice

      • Plain white bread

      • Plain tofu

      • Boiled or mashed potatoes (no skin)

      • Boiled or mashed carrots

      • Boiled or mashed turnips

    • Seasonings

      • A pinch of salt

      • A pinch of pepper

      • A teaspoon of olive oil

12 Hours Before Sample Collection

  • You must fast for 12 hours before sample collection.

    • You may drink water during your fast.

  • You may brush your teeth as normal.

  • DO NOT take any vitamins or supplements.

Day of Sample Collection

  • DO NOT eat or drink anything but water until you have completed your sample collection.

  • Avoid the following activities for 1 hour before sample collection:

    • Sleeping

    • Exercising

Collection Instructions

  1. Ensure you followed the restricted diet and fasting guidelines.

  2. This collection is strictly timed. You MUST follow the collection time exactly.

  3. Thoroughly mix the lactulose substrate packet into 8 oz of room-temperature water. DO NOT DRINK THE SOLUTION YET.

  4. Open the pack of collection tubes using a pair of scissors.

  5. Complete the corresponding sample label with the following information:

    1. Patient's Full Name

    2. Patient's Date of Birth

    3. Date of Collection

    4. Time of Collection

  6. Apply the label to the side of one collection tube.

  7. Unscrew the blue cap from the tube.

  8. Unwrap the collection straw.

  9. Insert the straw halfway into the tube.

  10. Inhale normally with your mouth away from the tube.

  11. Exhale normally into the straw for 5 seconds.

    1. You should see condensation on the inside of the tube.

    2. DO NOT INHALE while the straw is still in the tube/in your mouth.

  12. Remove the straw.

  13. Immediately screw the cap back on securely.

    1. DO NOT over-tighten the cap.

  14. Place the tube in the provided bubble bag.

  15. Immediately after collecting your first sample, drink the substrate mixture.

    1. You must drink the solution within 2 minutes.

  16. Wait 15 minutes.

  17. Repeat steps 5-14 for each of the 9 remaining collections. Wait 15 minutes between each collection.

  18. When you have completed your entire collection, complete the test requisition form.

    📄 How to Complete Your Requisition

  19. Place the tubes into the provided bubble bags.

    1. You should have 5 tubes in each bag.

  20. Place the bubble bags into the test kit box.

  21. Place the completed test requisition form into the box.

Requisition & Payment

  • Your kit has been prepaid. You DO NOT need to pay anything extra.

  • You must complete your requisition form and send it back with your samples.

    • Since you pre-paid for your tests, you do not need to fill in the payment information on any of these forms.

📄 How to Complete Your Requisition

Shipping

  • Ship your samples within 24 hours of collection.

  • To prepare your samples for shipping,

    • Ensure all tubes are properly labeled.

    • Place the sample tubes into the provided bubble bags.

      • You should have 5 tubes in each bag.

    • Place the bubble bags into the test kit box.

    • Place the completed test requisition form into the test kit box.

    • Seal the test kit box.

    • Place the provided return label on the test kit box.

  • Make a note of the tracking number on the return label so you can track your sample back to the lab.

  • Take the package to the nearest UPS location.

    • DO NOT place the package in a drop box.

Results

  • Results should be released to your provider 1 business day after samples are received at the lab. Rupa Health cannot guarantee processing time.

More Resources

Questions?

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