Skip to main content
SIBO - 2 Hour
Updated over 3 months ago

Test Details

Lab Company: Genova Diagnostics
Sample Type: Breath
Collection Location: At Home

Genova’s 2-hour SIBO Profile measures exhaled hydrogen and methane gases to evaluate bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine.


Key Details

  • ❗️This test is time-sensitive. Please perform the collection in the morning during an uninterrupted 2 hours.

  • 💊 You must avoid taking certain medications before collection.

  • 🍽️ A special diet is required for 24 hours before testing.

  • 🍽️ Fasting is required for 12 hours before testing.

  • ❌ You must avoid certain activities before testing.

  • 📦 Ship your samples within 2 days of collection.

  • 📦 Rupa Health recommends shipping Monday - Thursday only to avoid shipment delays.


Preparation & Timing

  • This test is time-sensitive. Please perform the collection in the morning during an uninterrupted 2 hours.

  • DO NOT take this test if:

    • You have allergic reactions to lactulose.

    • You are on a galactose/lactose-restricted diet.

    • You have an acute infectious illness.

  • Collect your sample 4 weeks after:

    • A colonoscopy

    • A barium enema

  • Collect your sample at least 2-4 weeks after:

    • Your last dose of antifungals

    • Your last dose of antibiotics

    • Taking Pepto-Bismol™

    • Taking herbal/natural antimicrobial products

7 Days Before Collection

  • Avoid using the following medications:

    • Laxatives

    • Stool softeners

    • Stool bulking agents

    • Antacids containing aluminum

    • Magnesium hydroxide

24 Hours Before Collection

  • DO NOT take probiotics.

🍽️ YOU MAY ONLY EAT THE FOLLOWING FOODS 🍽️

  • Meat, poultry, fish, or seafood that is not cured or brined

  • Plain steamed white rice

  • Eggs

  • Clear meat broth

    • NO bone/cartilage or vegetables

  • Fats/oils

    • Coconut oil

    • Olive oil

    • Vegetable oil

    • Butter

    • Lard

  • Salt and pepper

    • NO other herbs/spices

  • Weak black coffee and/or weak black tea

    • NO sweeteners or cream

    • NO green or herbal teas

  • Plain water

    • NO mineral water

    • NO water with additives

12 Hours Before Collection

  • You MUST fast.

    • DO NOT eat or drink anything other than water.

  • Avoid the following activities:

    • Taking non-essential medications or supplements until you have completed the test

      • DO NOT discontinue prescription medications without consulting your healthcare provider.

    • Chewing gum

    • Eating candy

    • Using mouthwash

    • Using toothpaste

1 Hour Before Collection

  • DO NOT smoke or inhale second-hand smoke.

  • DO NOT sleep.

  • DO NOT exercise.

  • DO NOT eat.

  • DO NOT drink anything.


Collection Instructions

This test is time-sensitive. Follow the collection schedule exactly.

  1. Brush your teeth and tongue using only water.

  2. Rinse your mouth with only water.

  3. Write the following information the tube labels.

    1. Patient's date of birth

    2. Date of collection

    3. Time of collection

  4. Apply the labels to the tubes.

  5. Pick up the mouthpiece device in your non-dominant hand.

    1. Hold the device at the blue band.

    2. DO NOT put your fingers in the device opening. There is a sharp needle inside.

  6. Pick up the sample tube in your dominant hand.

    1. DO NOT unscrew the cap on the collection tube.

  7. Breathe normally. Inhale and hold for 5 seconds.

  8. Close your mouth around the mouthpiece.

  9. Blow out normally.

    1. The bag will fill with air as you exhale. Keep it inflated.

  10. While exhaling, insert the test tube into the needle holder completely so that the stopper on the tube is punctured.

  11. Remove the tube after 1-2 seconds.

  12. Place the tube in the bubble wrap bag.

    1. DO NOT unscrew the cap on the collection tube.

  13. IMMEDIATELY repeat steps 5-12 for Tube 2.

  14. Only after you have collected Tube 2, stir the lactulose solution into 8 ounces of water.

  15. Drink the lactulose solution immediately.

    1. Drink the entire amount within 5 minutes.

    2. DO NOT drink water for 1 hour after you drink the solution.

  16. Repeat steps 5-12 for each breath collection, following the schedule below.

    1. Use the remaining tubes in order (3-7).

  17. Complete the test registration.

    1. Please ensure that the name on the registration matches the name on your Rupa order EXACTLY. If it does not match, you may need to recollect your samples.

  18. Pack the bags and completed activation card into the kit box.

  19. Pack the box into the provided, prepaid FedEx mailer.


Requisition & Payment

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

  • You must complete your test registration 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 this form.

    • Please ensure that the name on the registration matches the name on your Rupa order EXACTLY. If it does not match, you may need to recollect your samples.


Shipping

  • Ship samples to the lab within 2 days of collection.

  • Rupa Health recommends shipping Monday - Thursday only to avoid shipment delays.

  • To prepare your samples for shipping,

    • Place the sample tubes into the bubble wrap bags.

    • Place the bubble wrap bags into the test kit box.

    • Place the completed activation card into the test kit box.

    • Place the test kit box into the provided return envelope.

    • Seal the return envelope.

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

  • Ship samples using the provided, prepaid FedEx mailer.


Results

  • Results should be released to your provider 7-10 days 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.

Did this answer your question?