SIBO breath test preparation: Best Practices

To obtain the best possible results from your SIBO test, you should be aware of the correct guidelines on SIBO breath test preparation. Instructions may vary from lab to lab which is a little confusing.

However, read on to learn about the current (at the time of writing) best practices for preparing for a SIBO breath test.

Two weeks before the test:

• You must stop taking any antibiotics or antimicrobials herbs.
• You must not have done a colonoscopy or barium enema.

You should not be experiencing any atypical diarrhea.

Four days before the breath test, you would instruct the patient to stop all laxatives including medications, herbs and high-dose vitamin C and magnesium.

48 hours before, you should avoid all high-fibre and lactose-containing foods, condiments, spices and herbs.

Twenty-four hours before the test, you should stop all non-essential medication.

Between 24 and 12 hours before the test, you should only eat meat, fish, or poultry, plain steamed jasmine rice, eggs and clear meat broth, no bone broth, small amounts of fat and oils, salt and pepper, and maybe weak black coffee and tea.

12 hours before you should begin a water fast, where you avoid everything except for water.

On the day of the test, you should awake at least one hour before the test.

You may brush your teeth and no smoking or vigorous exercise within one hour before the collection.

Disclaimer

This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Now I’d like to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below.