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SIBOtest

SIBOTest.com provides fast, accurate, testing services in the diagnosis of SIBO and IBS. Normal stomach acid levels are required to kill bacteria.

Normally, bacteria are found in the trillions in the LARGE INTESTINE, where they perform various symbiotic functions for the human body. SIBO is a condition where bacterial overgrowth occurs in the absorptive area of the body—the SMALL INTESTINE. Symptoms of SIBO can include:
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Alternating constipation and diarrhoea
Abdominal cramping
Bloating and/or wind
Burping and Acid reflux/GORD
Food sensitivities
Joint pain
Skin rashes
Iron and B12 deficiency
Respiratory symptoms such as asthma
SIBO can occur when
The ileocecal valve (which connects the large and the small intestine) is dysfunctional, allowing large intestinal bacteria to migrate upwards into the small intestine where they wreak havoc. The normal cleansing wave of the small intestine is disrupted or stopped – this cleansing wave is called the Migrating Motor Complex (MMS), and occurs approximately every 90 minutes, typically between meals. The function of the MMC is to wash out accumulated bacteria and propel them toward the colon. The MMC is not related to the peristaltic waves of the large intestines. The result is bacteria are allowed to grow and proliferate throughout the small intestine (a little over 6 meters in length). SIBO causes damage to the absorptive surface of the small intestine - the ability of the body to absorb nutrients from food. The absorptive surface of the small intestine is likened to a shaggy carpet, with finger-like protrusions called villi. The surface of the villi contain microvilli which act as the interface of absorption—microvilli secrete enzymes called “brush border enzymes” which break starches into single molecules, proteins into single amino acids so these can be absorbed. SIBO can result in
Malabsorption of monosaccharides and amino acids (carbohydrates and proteins)
Fermentation of disaccharides by bacteria causing hydrogen, methane and hydrogen sulphate gasses
These gasses themselves are damaging to the gut wall
Malabsorption of vitamins (especially B12 and Folic acid)
Malabsorption of minerals (especially, magnesium, iron, and calcium SIBO can cause leaky gut, with a damaged gut wall allowing larger particles to pass through, causing an immune response. Causes of SIBO
Post infectious: a case of gastroenteritis can often be the “heralding event” for the development of SIBO
Overconsumption of simple carbohydrates
Medications: proton pump inhibitors, morphine and other opiates, narcotics, possibly beta agonists and calcium channel blockers
Stress: chronic stress can decrease stomach acid output (hypochlorhydria). Stress also causes changes in the motility of the small intestines, causing a pooling and stagnation which allows for bacterial overgrowth
Altered anatomy: malformation of the ileocecal valve, surgical intervention causing scarring and adhesions altering the normal anatomy of the small intestines
Initial colonization of bad bacteria: caesarean birth, no breast feeding. Associated conditions
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – especially associated with diarrhoea dominant SIBO
Chronic constipation – associated with methane-dominant SIBO
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Inflammatory Bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
Acid reflux
Coeliac disease
Interstitial Cystitis
Restless leg syndrome
Acne
Rosacea
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Scleroderma
Chronic Prostatitis
Non alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Liver cirrhosis
Diverticulitis

15/01/2026

What Causes SIBO? 🔎

🧠 Impaired Motility
Damage to the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC)
E.g. Post-infectious IBS, diabetes, chronic infections, EDS, POTS, brain injury

🩺 Impaired Intestinal Flow
Altered anatomy/structure
E.g. Abdominal surgery/adhesions, endometriosis, EDS

🦠 Impaired Digestion
Altered functioning
E.g. Low stomach acid, poor bile flow/pancreatic function, chronic stress, dysbiosis, enzyme deficiency

💊 Certain Medications
Affecting digestive functions
E.g. Opioids, narcotics, PPIs, tricyclic antidepressants

13/01/2026

🚦Understanding IMO

Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO) occurs when methane-producing archaea – primarily Methanobrevibacter smithii – overgrow in the gut. This condition was previously referred to as “SIBO-C”, but the name was updated to reflect that archaea, not bacteria, are responsible.

Methanogens use hydrogen and carbon dioxide, supplied by hydrogen-producing bacteria such as Ruminococcus, to produce methane. While this process can reduce total gas volume in the gut, methane slows intestinal transit by increasing intestinal spasms, leading to a whole host of symptoms.

Symptoms may include:
🔸Constipation
🔸Bloating
🔸Gas
🔸Abdominal discomfort
🔸Belching
🔸Nausea

On a breath test, IMO is indicated by methane levels of 10 ppm or more at any point during testing, particularly in the presence of constipation. Methanogens may also be detected via stool, although not all tests screen for them, and they may be missed.

Humans do not produce methane themselves. If methane is detected on a breath test, it is generated by methanogens living in the intestines. It is also important to note that Methane levels often increase with age, and not all individuals with methanogen overgrowth experience constipation.

While methanogens can be part of a healthy microbiome, overgrowth can disrupt gut function and slow motility significantly.

12/01/2026

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a digestive condition where too many bacteria accumulate in the small intestine — the body's main site of nutrient absorption, which typically has much lower bacterial levels than the large intestine.

SIBO develops when the normal control of bacteria breaks down. This can happen due to:
🔸 Poor gut motility
🔸 Reduced digestive secretions
🔸 Structural issues in the intestine
🔸 Certain medications

When bacteria overgrow, they ferment food and produce gases like hydrogen and methane. This can lead to:

➡️ Constipation or diarrhoea (or both)
➡️ Abdominal pain or discomfort
➡️ Bloating, wind, flatulence
➡️ Burping, acid reflux (GORD)
➡️ Food sensitivities & skin rashes
➡️ Joint pain & fatigue
➡️ Iron and B12 deficiencies

There are three types that may occur alone or together:
🟠 Hydrogen-dominant SIBO
🟠 Methane-dominant ( IMO – Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth)
🟠 Hydrogen Sulphide-dominant ( ISO – Intestinal Sulphur Overproduction)

Curious if SIBO is behind your symptoms? Learn more at SIBOtest.com

21/12/2025

🔔 Happy Holidays from the team here at SIBOtest! 🔔

Please note, SIBOtest will be closed from Wednesday, 24 December 2025 and will reopen as normal on Monday, 5 January 2026.

We will be operating at reduced capacity for test analysis only on limited days during this period. You may return your completed SIBOtest kit at any time that suits you, provided you allow for public holidays and weekends to ensure your test arrives within 14 days of completion.

We wish you a wonderful festive season and a Happy New Year ✨

11/12/2025

End of Year Special — Fructose Advanced Bundle (Lactulose + Fructose) 🎉

Get $50 off our popular Fructose Advanced Bundle, which includes two substrates for a broader view of fermentation patterns that may help identify SIBO, IMO, or fructose malabsorption.

💵 RRP: $339 → Now: $289 (excluding shipping)
💬 Discount code: Fructose50
📅 Offer ends 16 January 2026*

👩‍⚕️ Practitioners: simply pre-approve your patient’s Fructose Advanced as usual.
👉 Patients without a practitioner: call us to order and receive the discount.

⚠️ Please note: Fructose substrates in this promotion expire 23 March 2026, so tests should be completed promptly after purchase.

📞 02 6684 0814
🌐 sibotest.com

*Unless sold out before the end of the sale

21/11/2025

Modern Concepts of SIBO 🌿

SIBO is not what we used to think it was. New research by Dr Gillian Barlow and Dr Mark Pimentel (2025) using next-generation sequencing shows that small intestinal microbial overgrowth isn’t simply colonic bacteria migrating upward — it’s driven by specific small intestinal species, primarily Escherichia coli and Klebsiella, that can overgrow, dominate and disrupt balance in the small intestine.

This study redefines SIBO as part of a broader spectrum of overgrowth syndromes that includes classic bacterial SIBO, Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO) and Intestinal Sulfide Overproduction (ISO), each with its own microbial profile, gas pattern and symptom expression.

Importantly, this next-generation sequencing has also validated breath testing as a reliable diagnostic tool for identifying these overgrowth patterns, confirming its role in clinical practice.

These findings help explain why patients with IBS and similar gut disorders experience such varied symptoms and responses to treatment — and highlight the need for a more individualised approach to care.
PMID: 40960427

22/09/2025

Why We Follow the North American Consensus for SIBO Breath Testing 🧪

At SIBOtest, we follow the North American Consensus because it remains the most widely recognised and validated framework for diagnosing SIBO via breath test.

Published in 2017 by an international panel of leading experts — including Dr Mark Pimentel from Cedars-Sinai, a global leader in SIBO and IBS research — this consensus set the foundation for modern breath testing standards. Its principles continue to guide the majority of clinical trials, diagnostic tools, and treatment protocols worldwide.

While emerging guidelines from Europe and Asia contribute valuable insights, the North American approach is still the most extensively studied and applied in everyday practice.

At SIBOtest, our priority is ensuring your results are interpreted using the most robust, research-backed standards available.

28/08/2025

🤔 What Does an Invalid Sample Mean on Your SIBOtest?

If your report shows an invalid sample (marked in red), it means CO₂ was below 1.5% — usually from a collection error. We measure CO₂ in every sample as a quality control marker. Levels above 1.5% confirm the breath came from your lungs (where gases like hydrogen and methane are exchanged). If CO₂ is too low, it means too much room air was captured, making the sample unreliable.

Common reasons:
🔹 Room air contamination (forced breath)
🔹 Poor seal - Tube not pushed all the way onto the needle
🔹 Not exhaling fully
🔹 Collecting too early or too late in the breath

Tips for valid samples:
✅ Watch our instruction video first
✅ Collect mid-breath, breathing normally (no forceful blowing)
✅ Make sure the vial seals properly
✅ Take your time — don’t rush

An invalid sample doesn’t always mean an invalid test. If you need help, our Customer Support team is here for you 💙

customersupport@sibotest.com
02 66840814

26/08/2025

🔬 Interpreting Your Breath Test Results 🔬

Understanding the results of your lactulose breath test can provide valuable insights into what’s happening in your gut. Here's a breakdown of what the results might mean:

Test results:
🔹 SIBO – A rise of 20ppm or more of Hydrogen within the first 90-100 mins.
🔹 IMO – Methane ≥10 ppm, often steady from baseline.
🔹 Mixed – Both hydrogen and methane are elevated.
🔹 Negative – No hydrogen rise before 100 mins; may need an additional substrate to rule out SIBO.

Other patterns:
🔸 High baseline hydrogen (>15 ppm) – Possible poor prep or oral microbiome.
🔸 ‘Hidden’ SIBO – Methane microbes using hydrogen may mask hydrogen-positive SIBO.
🔸 Flatline (

24/08/2025

🟡 Understanding the Methane Spot Test 🟡

The Methane Spot Test is a quick, single-sample breath test designed to assess methane-related constipation. It can be particularly useful for patients who experience constipation without the typical symptoms of SIBO, or as a follow-up when a high baseline methane level has previously been recorded on a lactulose breath test.

This test is specific for Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO), focusing on the role methane production plays in slowing gut motility and contributing to constipation.

🔎 Results at a glance:
🟡 Methane positive: A baseline methane level of ≥10 ppm indicates IMO
The Methane Spot Test offers a streamlined way to evaluate methane levels for both initial assessment and ongoing monitoring.

SIBOtest is currently the only provider of this test in Australia, giving patients and practitioners greater access to targeted methane testing.

To order a Methane Spot Test, speak to your practitioner or visit www.sibotest.com.

22/08/2025

🔴Understanding the Fructose Breath Test 🔴

While not traditionally used for SIBO testing, the Fructose breath test has gained popularity through clinical experience. This test can detect both Fructose Malabsorption (FM) and SIBO, making it a versatile choice for individuals experiencing symptoms related to the consumption of fructose-containing foods.

🔎 Results Overview:
🔴Hydrogen Elevated:
SIBO - An increase of 20 ppm or greater within the first 100 minutes.
FM - An increase of 20 ppm or greater after 100 minutes.
🔴Methane Elevated:
IMO - Considered elevated with any reading of ≥10 ppm

Like the glucose test, fructose can be used alongside lactulose, in the Fructose Advanced, for a thorough assessment, or for the most extensive evaluation, it is part of our SIBO Comprehensive, which includes lactulose, glucose, and fructose.

To order a SIBOtest, speak to your practitioner or visit www.sibotest.com.

21/08/2025

🟢 Understanding the Glucose Breath Test 🟢

The Glucose Breath Test is another valuable tool for detecting SIBO. Glucose is readily fermented by all bacteria, making it a reliable substrate in the upper small intestine. However, because it is absorbed quite quickly, overgrowth in the distal small intestine may be missed.

🔎 Results at a glance:
🟢 Hydrogen positive: A rise of ≥12 ppm within 100 minutes indicates SIBO
🟢 Methane positive: Considered positive with any reading of ≥10 ppm

For more complex cases, many practitioners use the SIBO Advanced Breath Test (lactulose + glucose). This combination can help to highlight different fermentation patterns and provide greater clarity in the assessment.

To order a SIBOtest, speak to your practitioner or visit www.sibotest.com

Address

Mullumbimby, NSW

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.sibotest.com/

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