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Lab Test Instructions
Commonwealth Diagnostics International, Inc.
SIBO/IMO Pediatric Lactulose Breath Test
SIBO/IMO Pediatric Lactulose Breath Test
Updated over a week 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

  • 💊 The patient must avoid taking certain medications before sample collection.

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

  • 🚫 The patient must fast for 12 hours before sample collection.

  • ⏰ Sample collection is STRICTLY TIMED.

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

  • 🚚 Ship the samples within 24 hours of collection.

Preparation & Timing

  • The patient must avoid using any antibiotics for 4 weeks before sample collection.

  • The patient must avoid taking the following substances for 1 week before sample collection.

    • Laxatives

    • Promotility drugs

24 Hours Before Sample Collection

  • The patient must avoid the following activities:

    • Smoking

    • Vaping

  • The patient must follow a specific diet. THE PATIENT 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

  • The patient must fast for 12 hours before sample collection.

    • Water can be consumed during the fast.

  • The patient may brush their teeth as normal.

Day of Sample Collection

  • The patient MUST NOT eat or drink anything but water until sample collection is completed.

  • The patient must avoid the following activities for 1 hour before sample collection:

    • Sleeping

    • Exercising

Collection Instructions

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

  2. This collection is strictly timed. Follow the collection times EXACTLY.

  3. Thoroughly mix the lactulose substrate packet into 8 oz of room-temperature water. THE PATIENT SHOULD 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. The patient should inhale normally with their mouth away from the tube.

  11. The patient should exhale normally into the straw for 5 seconds.

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

    2. THE PATIENT SHOULD NOT INHALE while the straw is still in the tube/in their 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 the first sample, the patient should drink the substrate mixture.

    1. The patient must drink the entire solution within 2 minutes.

  16. Repeat steps 5-14 for each of the 5 remaining collections.

  17. When the entire collection is complete, complete the test requisition form.

    📄 How to Complete Your Requisition

  18. Place the tubes into the provided bubble bag.

  19. Place the bubble bag into the test kit box.

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

Requisition & Payment

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

  • The requisition form must be completed and sent back to the lab with the samples.

    • Since you pre-paid for the test, you do not need to fill in the payment information on this form.

📄 How to Complete Your Requisition

Shipping

  • Ship the samples within 24 hours of collection.

  • To prepare the samples for shipping,

    • Ensure all tubes are properly labeled.

    • Place the sample tubes into the provided bubble bag.

    • Place the bubble bag 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 the 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 the patient's provider 1 business day after samples are received at the lab. Rupa Health cannot guarantee processing time.

More Resources

Questions?

Reach out to Rupa Health via the chat in your patient portal.

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