As of March, 2021, we have resumed limited in-office lactulose hydrogen-methane breath testing for certain patients. Most new patients will be helped to do the home test for hydrogen, methane and hydrogen sulfide called trio-smart. If that is what you are having, see the other page: Preparation and Instructions for Trio-Smart Breath Test using a home kit.
The SIBO lactulose breath test takes approximately 2 hours. The testing in Fullerton will be on certain weekday mornings. We will be using a process that will involve patients collecting the breath samples while in exam rooms, without staff present, to make this as safe as possible for both patients and our staff.
Fullerton address: 1837 Sunnycrest Drive, Fullerton, CA 92835
(in-office breath testing is not available in Mission Viejo at this time.)
To prepare for lactulose breath test for SIBO with Dr. Carr
You should only have a lactulose breath test if in the past 2 weeks you have not
- been taking oral antibiotics
- had a colonoscopy or barium enema Xray, or
- had bout of very severe diarrhea lasting a day or longer.
You should also stop taking probiotics at least 5 days before the test, and avoid fiber supplements for at least 2 days. If you take over-the-counter or prescription laxatives, stop them enough days before your test that you are not in the middle of responding to them when you perform the test. Avoid Pepto-Bismol, long acting peppermint such as IBGard, other herbal supplements (especially that contain oil of oregano, or berberine, which suppress the gut bacteria), for at least 2 days before the test. Avoid taking Imodium or the generic loperamide anti-diarrhea medication, or the prescription anti-cramping medications dicyclomine or hyoscyamine starting the day before the test.
Day before the test: Avoid high fiber foods such as beans, salads, and even fruit and vegetables. However, you do not need to postpone the test if you realize you had a piece of fruit or a small amount of vegetables the day before you plan to do it. Plan to have protein such as any meat, fish, eggs, or plain or firm (not silken) tofu, or seitan. Have plain carbohydrates such as rice, potato, squash, oatmeal, but try to avoid wheat. Most importantly, plan to fast, and have only water, and no candies, breath mints, gum or cough drops for a full 12 hours before you perform the test. One 6 oz glass of wine, or 12 oz beer, or one shot of hard liquor, may be consumed the day before your test.
Morning of the test: No cigarette smoking, no vigorous exercise, no lying down during the test. Have some water, and brush your teeth well either with just water, or if you use toothpaste or mouthwash, don’t swallow any, and rinse your mouth out very well with water.
Para prepararse para la prueba de aliento con lactulosa para SIBO con el Dr. Carr
Solo debe realizarse una prueba de aliento con lactulosa si en las últimas 2 semanas no ha
- ha estado tomando antibióticos orales
- se sometió a una colonoscopia o una radiografía con enema de bario, o
- Tuvo un episodio de diarrea muy severa que duró un día o más.
También debe dejar de tomar probióticos al menos 5 días antes de la prueba y evitar los suplementos de fibra durante al menos 2 días. Si toma laxantes de venta libre o recetados, deténgalos suficientes días antes de la prueba para que no esté a la mitad de responder a ellos cuando realice la prueba. Evite el Pepto-Bismol, la menta de acción prolongada como IBGard, otros suplementos a base de hierbas (especialmente los que contienen aceite de orégano o berberina, que suprimen las bacterias intestinales), durante al menos 2 días antes de la prueba. Evite tomar Imodium o el medicamento antidiarreico genérico de loperamida, o los medicamentos recetados contra los calambres diciclomina o hiosciamina a partir del día anterior a la prueba.
El día antes de la prueba: Evite los alimentos ricos en fibra como frijoles, ensaladas e incluso frutas y verduras. Sin embargo, no es necesario que posponga la prueba si se da cuenta de que comió una pieza de fruta o una pequeña cantidad de verduras el día antes de la fecha prevista. Planee consumir proteínas como carne, pescado, huevos o tofu o seitán simple o firme (no sedoso). Consuma carbohidratos simples como arroz, papa, calabaza, avena, pero trate de evitar el trigo. Lo más importante es que planee ayunar y tome solo agua, y no dulces, mentas para el aliento, goma de mascar o pastillas para la tos durante 12 horas completas antes de realizar la prueba. Se puede consumir una copa de vino de 6 onzas, o cerveza de 12 onzas, o un trago de licor fuerte el día antes de la prueba.
Mañana de la prueba: no fumar cigarrillos, no hacer ejercicio vigoroso, no acostarse durante la prueba. Toma un poco de agua y cepíllate bien los dientes con solo agua, o si usas pasta de dientes o enjuague bucal, no tragues y enjuágate la boca muy bien con agua.
To contact Dr. Carr and his medical assistant, please call and leave a message at 714-446-5831 extension 1322.
Here is a video that will introduce you to the very simple process of collecting the breath samples for us to analyze. Dr. Carr will help you to do this correctly during your visit.