Your SIBO Breath Test Guide

So you think you may have SIBO, and your doctor has prescribed a SIBO test for you to complete. The prep diet before the test is extremely important, so I’ll share some tips, tricks and a clear-cut food list for you to reference! The breath test itself can be very finicky and needs to be performed correctly. Please see the links at the bottom for some general how-to videos or book a quick consultation session with me to go over mixing the liquid substrate, performing the first few breath tests with the correct amount of breath, and labeling the tubes correctly.

How long do I have to do the prep diet?

Follow your doctor’s instructions. Often times they’ll suggest the following:

• If you’re constipated, and not eliminating fully every day in the few days prior to your test, you’ll want to do this diet for 48 hours prior to testing.

• If you’re able to fully evacuate your bowels each day, do this diet for 24 hours prior to performing your SIBO Breath Test.

What do I need to stop taking before I do the test, and for how long?
It’s best to wait a minimum of 3 weeks after taking antibiotics or any type of gut treatments before performing your breath test. 4 weeks is ideal.
Probiotics, prebiotics, kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi should be eliminated for 3 weeks prior to the breath test.

You can take Magnesium until 2 days before your stool test

Herbal supplements should be stopped a week prior, or 3 weeks prior if they are anti-microbials, anti-fungals, or naturally antibacterial. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or the manufacturer of your breath test.

If you are taking PPIs like Omeprazole or any other medications that you cannot stop taking prior to the test, please include a note in the box with your test tubes that includes the info below:

What medication it is: 
What it's for: 
Time you last took the medication: 

What foods can I eat on the diet?

These foods are the ONLY foods you can consume* prior to your test:

*If you are vegetarian, stick to rice!

• Uncured/Unbrined Red meat, poultry, fish, pork, and seafood

• Eggs, cooked any way

• Plain, steamed white rice

• Clear meat broth made only from the meat (NOTE: no bone/cartilage or vegetables used to make the broth)

• Fats/oils: coconut/olive oil, or ghee

• Salt and Pepper (no other herbs/spices)

• Weak, black coffee and/or weak black tea (slightly diluted is preferred, with no cream, sugar, or sweeteners) NOTE: NO herbal teas or green teas

• Plain water: no mineral water, sparkling water, or water with additives of any kind. Check labels.

What other tips would be helpful for me to know?

• Watch SIBO center’s videos for questions about the diet, prep, and performing the test

• Set a timer for every 20 minutes to breath into the next tube so you’re not delayed on any of the testing tubes

• Pre-write the sticker labels with your name and date so all you have to add after filling each tube is add the time

• Because you have to fast, it’s easiest to perform this test first thing in the morning, and allot 3 hours to complete the at-home test

I’m here if you have any questions about prep, timing, or performing your test. Don’t hesitate to reach out or book some time for us to meet.