What Are These Tests For?
Do you suffer symptoms such as abdominal bloating, wind (flatulence), reflux, diarrhoea and/or constipation, and lethargy? These issues may be the result of your digestive system’s inability to digest certain sugars found in many of the foods we eat. Breath Hydrogen and Methane testing are used in the diagnosis of such intolerances and therefore assist in the future treatment and management of these symptoms.
It is useful for people who have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, wheat intolerance and dairy or lactose intolerances. It can help identify conditions such as fructose malabsorption and lactose intolerance.
How Do The Tests Work?
The procedure for each test (fructose, lactose, sorbitol, lactulose and glucose) is simple. You need to perform each breath test on a different day. Tests can be done on consecutive days. When you attend each breath test appointment you will be given a hydrogen breathalyser type device to breathe into. This first sample is recorded, then you will be given a sugar solution to drink, after which another breath sample will be taken from you every 15-20 minutes over the next 2~3 hours. Many people complete the tests for Lactulose, Fructose, Sorbitol and Lactose within 2 hours, although some take around 3 hours. The Glucose test takes 1 hour to complete. Your referring practitioner will describe which of the test sugars (Fructose, Sorbitol, Lactose or Glucose – or any combination of these) you are to do. However, a practice test, (a Lactulose test) must be performed prior to any of these test sugars, to make sure you produce enough hydrogen gas. If you are a low- or non-hydrogen producer with Lactulose, you will be changed from the breathalyser device to inflatable bags during the course of your test as these bags allow us to also measure methane gas. This will ensure that we capture whichever type of gas (hydrogen or methane) you produce.
How Do I Prepare For These Tests?
A restricted diet must be followed a full day prior to each test. A description of this diet is provided to you after you book for the tests. You must follow the diet strictly in order for the results of your tests to be usable.
Antibiotics – Medications
You must not take antibiotics for 2 weeks prior to testing. Please notify test staff if you have taken antibiotics any time during the preceding 4 weeks.
Anti-depressants and The Contraceptive Pill
These do not need to be ceased. Please take as per usual.
Where Do I Go To Have These Tests?
The breath hydrogen and methane tests are performed at various centres in Victoria, including Box Hill Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology.
Box Hill (Box Hill Hospital) Testing Centre
Directions
5 Arnold Street,
Box Hill, Victoria 3128
(Corner Arnold and Spring Streets)
Car Parking
Ticket Machines in streets or Car park at Epworth Eastern Hospital, on Arnold St, near corner of Nelson Road.
Hours of operation
Monday to Friday inclusively.
We book patients in at 8am, 10am or 12 noon to start their tests.
Box Hill Breath Testing Centre
Directions
402 Elgar Road,
Box Hill Victoria 3128
Hours of operation
Monday to Saturday inclusively.
We book patients in at 8am, 10am or 12 noon to start their tests.
How Do I Make Breath Test Appointments?
Phone
Call the Breath Test Bookings phone line on (03) 9890 2666. If you have a referral please ensure it is with you when you call.
Fax
You or your referring practitioner can fax your referral to: (03) 8677 2514
headoffice@streamdiagnostics.com.au (include your full name, date of birth and a daytime contact phone number in your email message).
Post
Stream Diagnostics
402 Elgar Road
Box Hill Nth 3128
Any further enquiries: headoffice@streamdiagnostics.com.au
For information about appointments with a dietitian click here.