Breath test

What is Nuclear Medicine breath testing?

Urea Breath Test

Urea breath test is used to detect the presence of a bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori that can cause peptic ulcers.

Patients’ will be asked to swallow a tablet containing carbon (C13 or C14) labelled urea. It won’t make you feel any differently. 15 minutes later a breath sample is taken where you blow into a tube or into solution.

Triolein Breath Test

Triolein breath test is an investigative test for fat malabsorption.

Patients’ will be asked to drink a small cup of a high fat drink with C13 labelled Triolein. The absorption of the fats (triglycerides) is measured by collecting a breath sample (by blowing into a tube) every hour for 6 hours.

Xylose Breath Test

Xylose breath test is a test to diagnose small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

The patient will be asked to consume a sugary drink containing C13 labelled sugar (xylose). A breath sample (by blowing into a tube) is collected 30 minutes later.

^ Back to top