I looked this up in the Oxford Textbook of Medicine. Under Specific diagnosis of SBBO, on page 582, read the description and conclusion about the Hydrogen Breath Test, (it's in the right hand column, on page 583, (just above the section on Therapeutic approach to the management of SBBO).
http://books.google.com/books?id=VlIdst ... #PPA583,M1
In a nutshell, the author considers the test to have an unacceptable level of sensitivity and specificity for clinical use, and says that clinical laboratories do not pay attention to the critical details required to properly conduct the test. So yes, they could have easily obtained a false negative result in your test.
Also, see Table 6 Tests for SBBO, (at the bottom of the page), for a comparison of the reliability of the various SBBO test options.
Tex
L-Glutamine
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Yes, there can be false negatives, as well as false positives. The ability of the person taking the tests, what gases the test for, interpretation of the results, what the patient eats, supplements taken, medicine taken, etc will all effect the results of the test.
Pat, did they only test hydrogen? The need to test Hydrogen, Methane and CO2 all together and for 3 hours.
FWIW I can tell even before taking the test whether It'll show positive or negative for SIBO by my symptoms.
Having gas (flatus and belching), bloating, pain, diarrhea, constipation (and all it's different aspects), fatigue [probably not a complete list, but you get the idea] after ingesting a carbohydrate. Carbohydrates include those that is not easily digested in the first section of the small intestine. Like fructose, lactose, fiber, table sugar, pretty much any polysaccharide. Or ingesting too much carbohydrate for the first section of the small intestine to absorb. All would make me now think SIBO. Improvements of symptoms when taking a nonsystemic antibiotic, like say Rifaximin or Neomycin, would lead me to say SIBO. Improvement of symptoms when taking a digestive enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides). Improvement of symptoms when taking supplements that increase bile production, supplements that increase or add to acid production. Supplements that increase motility. Avoidance of complex carbohydrates and/or fructose. All would say to me to look at SIBO.
Thanks,
Mike
Pat, did they only test hydrogen? The need to test Hydrogen, Methane and CO2 all together and for 3 hours.
FWIW I can tell even before taking the test whether It'll show positive or negative for SIBO by my symptoms.
Having gas (flatus and belching), bloating, pain, diarrhea, constipation (and all it's different aspects), fatigue [probably not a complete list, but you get the idea] after ingesting a carbohydrate. Carbohydrates include those that is not easily digested in the first section of the small intestine. Like fructose, lactose, fiber, table sugar, pretty much any polysaccharide. Or ingesting too much carbohydrate for the first section of the small intestine to absorb. All would make me now think SIBO. Improvements of symptoms when taking a nonsystemic antibiotic, like say Rifaximin or Neomycin, would lead me to say SIBO. Improvement of symptoms when taking a digestive enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides). Improvement of symptoms when taking supplements that increase bile production, supplements that increase or add to acid production. Supplements that increase motility. Avoidance of complex carbohydrates and/or fructose. All would say to me to look at SIBO.
Thanks,
Mike
I didn't feel any different when I did the test and it was for hydrogen only. I took Neomycin and it made me really sick. Flagyl didn't do anything. I had resolution of the gas and bloating from not eating fructose, but still have the D. Was found to be fructose intolerant. Digestive enzymes don't seem to do anything. Betaine HCL makes my stomach hurt. I really don't think I have an overgrowth of bacteria. Maybe yeast but not bacteria. If I don't take probiotics I have vaginal discharge. Makes me think there is a yeast problem. I took 2 weeks of Diflucan last summer. Didn't really notice any improvement but I was also taking probiotics. I don't injest any yeast that I know of.
Tex, thanks for finding that article. I intend to read it tomorrow. I have my appt with the GI doc in the morning. Haven't seen him since the camera pill in Dec. They make you wait forever for the follow up. Not fair!!! Will let you know of the outcome.
Pat
Tex, thanks for finding that article. I intend to read it tomorrow. I have my appt with the GI doc in the morning. Haven't seen him since the camera pill in Dec. They make you wait forever for the follow up. Not fair!!! Will let you know of the outcome.
Pat
Yeast can certainly cause D, since the roots can penetrate the tight junctions, in the epithelium of the intestines, thereby causing the leaky gut syndrome. Still, if you're cutting out all fructose, and presumably limiting other sugars & carbs, yeast would have a tough time thriving in your body. Your observation about the effect of probiotics, however, is pretty convincing evidence.
It will be interesting to see what your GI doc has to say.
Tex
It will be interesting to see what your GI doc has to say.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Ok, so, I know I'm replying very late here, since the last post was from Jan. '08 but I have been taking 2 rounded tsp 3X a day of L-Glutamine powder from Vital Nutrients now for about 2 months. It is the CORE of my healing from MC/both LC and CC and the results came very fast. I don't know about the possible problems but this contains no coatings, binders, yeast, wheat, gluten, milk/dairy. hydrogenated oil, artificial coloring, artificial flavorings or preservatives. It is prescription from my ND, who at this point I have every faith in.
I take 2 rounded tsp. / 3XDay and I also take other things, probiotics, ProBoulardi, Vit D-3, immodium. I have needed less and less immodium, but originally started at 8/day, now take 2 and sometimes none. I was also taking 1T. of coconut oil, but stopped that weeks ago. All D has stopped, and stopped rather soon, IMO, as long as I am strictly GF. I started this way before my genetic tests showed I was GS.
HIGHLY recommend this regime. My ND and I researched this together and it was an almost immediate end to TWO years of non-stop D.
I take 2 rounded tsp. / 3XDay and I also take other things, probiotics, ProBoulardi, Vit D-3, immodium. I have needed less and less immodium, but originally started at 8/day, now take 2 and sometimes none. I was also taking 1T. of coconut oil, but stopped that weeks ago. All D has stopped, and stopped rather soon, IMO, as long as I am strictly GF. I started this way before my genetic tests showed I was GS.
HIGHLY recommend this regime. My ND and I researched this together and it was an almost immediate end to TWO years of non-stop D.
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
Highly recommend my regimen, the addition of the ProBoulardi was an immediate improvement. http://www.metagenics.com/products/a-z- ... roboulardi
This would appear to have dairy, however. Both of those are RX only, I believe, but imagine you could order from Canada.
In my recent research, I've seen several mentions of various kinds of "Boulardi's" and this is one w/o dairy: http://www.vitacost.com/Jarrow-Formulas ... dientFacts
This would appear to have dairy, however. Both of those are RX only, I believe, but imagine you could order from Canada.
In my recent research, I've seen several mentions of various kinds of "Boulardi's" and this is one w/o dairy: http://www.vitacost.com/Jarrow-Formulas ... dientFacts
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.