Hydrogen Breath Test (Intolerance Test)

The breath test measures the level of hydrogen in your exhaled air after you drink a specific sugar solution. If your body is unable to properly digest this sugar, gases (including hydrogen) are produced and exhaled through the lungs.

This allows us to determine whether you have, for example:

• lactose intolerance (milk sugar)
• fructose malabsorption (fruit sugar)
• or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

Proper preparation is important to ensure meaningful and reliable results. We will explain everything to you personally or digitally — here is an overview:

The day before the test:

• Eat easily digestible, low-fat foods
• Avoid dairy products, fruit, sweets, and gas-producing foods
• Have your last meal by early evening at the latest

On the day of the test:

• Please arrive fasting and do not eat for 12–14 hours beforehand
• Drink only still water
• Do not smoke

If you take any medications, we will discuss together whether and how they should be paused before the test.

The breath test helps us determine whether certain sugars are not properly processed in your body and whether this could be the cause of your symptoms.

Typical symptoms we can investigate include:

• bloating, diarrhea, or abdominal pain after meals
• uncomfortable fullness, nausea, or cramping
• symptoms similar to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• in some cases, vitamin deficiencies (e.g. vitamin B12 in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth – SIBO)

If you recognize these symptoms and no clear cause has been found so far, a food intolerance test can be a valuable diagnostic tool.

No. The test is completely painless and non-invasive. You simply breathe into a measuring device. No blood tests, no needles, no endoscopy.

The test usually takes between 2 and 3 hours, as we measure the hydrogen levels in your breath at regular intervals.

During this time, you are welcome to make yourself comfortable with us:

• Our waiting area is available for resting
• If you would like to work, we are happy to provide a quiet meeting room with Wi-Fi

In most cases, you will receive initial insights immediately after the test.

• If only a single breath test is performed, we will discuss the results with you right afterward — personally and in a calm setting.
• If multiple breath tests are planned or required, you will receive a preliminary assessment after each test. The full evaluation and next steps will be discussed at the end of the final test so that you receive a clear overall picture.

Regardless of how many tests are needed, we take the time to answer your questions and ensure that you feel well informed and supported.

After the breath test, you can continue your day as normal — no special restrictions are expected. A few notes for afterward:

• You may eat and drink as soon as the test is completed
• If you experience mild symptoms such as bloating or a feeling of fullness during the test, these are usually temporary and harmless
• We will discuss the results with you personally or send them to you digitally — according to your preference

If you have any questions or feel uncertain, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always here for you.