SIBO – Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth test

Bloating and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are common digestive disorders. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can be a major cause. SIBO occurs when the bacteria in the gut get out of balance, or are too abundant & in the wrong place. These bacteria can be normal bacteria setting up camp in the wrong part of the intestines or the wrong bacteria and not enough of the right bacteria. This gives rise to the symptoms like severe or extreme gas, bloating, and painful cramps as well as contributing to constipation, diarrhoea and reflux.

SIBO testing is a great tool for detecting the presence of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. The small intestine is the second part of the gut which joins to the stomach at one end and the large intestine/bowel at the other. The SIBO test will help determine which type of gas the bacteria are making which helps determine the treatment protocol. Because treatment involves some bacterial die off and gut healing protocols it is important to test before treatment.

Before making a decision to test, screening symptoms is the first place to start. Symptoms include:

• Severe bloating between 30 minutes & 2 hours after eating
• Bloating which may look up to 6 months pregnant and be painful
• Severe flatulence or belching
• Flat stomach in the morning and bloating that increases throughout the day
• Pale stools
• A history of either heavy antibiotic use, high sugar diet, high alcohol use, high carbohydrate and low protein diet, high processed food diet, medication use or a combination of any of these
• Diagnosed with Irritable bowel syndrome
• A number of chronic disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, painful syndromes such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, malabsorption of nutrients and food intolerances are also affected due to SIBO in the gut

Testing is warranted when any of the above risk factors are present.

Once SIBO is identified it can be easily treated with the appropriate protocol and healthy diverse bacterial communities of gut flora can be reestablished & maintained.

Choosing the Lactulose or Glucose test can be established with your practitioner.

The price of this test includes a 15 minute phone consultation with one of our practitioners to determine if the test is required before completing the order. We will do a cost/benefit ratio and review your symptoms. What we do know is that there is nothing quite like testing to truly reveal what is going on inside the body, and to add motivation to your health journey. Testing can direct a treatment plan, alert you to red flags, or they rule out anomalies. However tests do cost money so we generally only recommend them when indicated and after discussion with you, about the pros and cons of each test.

Tests are taken at home and kits come with a full set of instructions. Test take between 3 to 4 weeks to get returned.

Please note this test needs to be done in conjunction with a qualified practitioner and results need to be interpreted with a practitioner. We stock these on our website for information and pricing only. If you have a practitioner and would like to order a test please send us the name and practice of your practitioner before you order your test. Please also note we do not keep test kits in stock, any test ordered on your behalf will need to be ordered in and then sent. If you would like to order a test please book a 15 minute consultation with one of our practitioners here so we can screen you for the test and book a follow up for your results.