Hydrogen Test - Xylitol Intolerance Wrocław

Professional Breath Test – Xylitol
Intolerance Wrocław.

Before performing the xylitol intolerance test, it is necessary to exclude SIBO and IMO by performing a hydrogen-methane breath test with lactulose load.

The breath test with xylitol load is an easy and non-invasive examination that allows detection of hydrogen concentration in exhaled air. Under physiological conditions, the content of this gas in the small intestine is negligible. Its increase allows for the detection of xylitol intolerance.

Hydrogen Test - Xylitol Intolerance Wrocław

How are tests performed at our facility in Wrocław?

The patient inhales air and
exhales into a special bag, which is then handed over to the staff for analysis using the QuinTron Breathtracker SC device. Then, the patient consumes 12.5g of xylitol dissolved in 250ml of water. Xylitol is not sufficiently absorbed and if its intake exceeds absorptive capacity, it moves down the gastrointestinal tract, where bacteria in the colon break it down into short-chain fatty acids, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. Hydrogen dissolves in the blood and is transported to the lungs, where its presence can be measured in exhaled air. The patient repeats the exhaling procedure every 20 minutes for 120-180 minutes. The hydrogen concentration in the first sample should not exceed 10 ppm. An increase above 20 ppm compared to the baseline sample indicates xylitol intolerance.

What are the indications for conducting breath tests?

Indications for the test may include excessive bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loose stools, a feeling of fullness, and nausea. Symptoms may worsen, especially after consuming products such as chewing gum, sweets, gummies, lollipops, jams, nut creams, chocolates, and diabetic products sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol naturally occurs in mushrooms, corn, oats, birch syrup, and many fruits and vegetables. It is also added to medications and syrups.

What are the contraindications for performing hydrogen tests?

An absolute contraindication is reactive postprandial hypoglycemia.

Is a referral required for the test?

The test does not require a doctor’s referral.

What is the preparation for the test?

Carefully read the preparation procedure. This is very important, as incorrect preparation can disrupt the results and the test will need to be repeated at another time !!!

On the day of the examination:

– Wake up about an hour before the test,
– Be on an empty stomach,
– You can drink a glass of warm plain non-carbonated water, which supports
intestinal peristalsis,
– Brush your teeth with toothpaste without xylitol or just water,
– You can use an antiseptic mouthwash,
– If you wear dentures, do not use denture adhesive,
– Do not perform any physical exercises,
– Sit in one place, do not lie down, do not sleep,
– Do not chew gum, do not eat any food,
– Do not take any medication, you can take medicine after the examination.

14 hours before the examination:

-Do not consume any food, except for plain non-carbonated water,
– Do not smoke cigarettes,
– Do not chew gum.

1-2 days before the examination:

– If you have diarrhea or normal stools, follow a 1-1.5 day diet,
– If you have constipation, follow a 2-3 day diet,
– You can only consume non-fermentable foods such as:

1. meat, fish, seafood, eggs,
2. still water,
3. rice in small amounts,
4. fats (olive oil, oil, lactose-free butter),
5. spices only pepper, salt,

– Do not consume fermentable products such as:

1. grain products (bread, rolls, pasta, groats),
2. dairy products and milk with lactose, plant-based milk,
3. vegetables,
4. fruits,
5. juices and fruit preserves,
6. nuts, seeds,
7. legume seeds.

3 days before the examination:

– Do not consume stomach drops, betaine HCl, apple cider vinegar,
– Do not take laxatives, such as lactulose,
– Do not take digestive enzymes,
– Do not take supplements with fructose.

1 week before the examination:

– Do not take probiotics and prebiotics,
– Bactericidal herbs (e.g. oregano oil),
– Avoid using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 receptor antagonists (e.g. pantoprazole, omeprazole) in consultation with your doctor,
– Do not take prokinetic agents (Prokit, Tribux),
– Do not take high doses of magnesium and vitamin C.

One month before the examination:

– do not use antibiotics (furazolidone, nifuroxazide, bismuth preparations, ciprofloxacin),
– do not undergo colonoscopy, fluoroscopy.

What could be an example menu for 1-2 days before the examination?

Breakfast: scrambled eggs with ham only in butter without vegetables and bread; hard-boiled eggs, soft-boiled eggs or fried eggs

Lunch: grilled chicken or fish, fried in olive oil, baked, stewed

Dinner: chicken or fish, etc .; eggs in any form

During the day, you can drink plain non-carbonated water, weak tea and coffee without sugar and milk.

Hydrogen Test - Xylitol Intolerance Wrocław