H. Pylori Test | Quick & Convenient Breath Test

What

Detects the presence of the Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) bacteria which may cause digestive disorders and stomach-related medical conditions.

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase.

How

Breath

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.

About the Test

Are you concerned you may have been infected with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori), a bacterium commonly found in the stomach? This urea breath test is used to detect the presence of H pylori, which causes infection, and to monitor treatment. The BreathTek™ UBiT® is a noninvasive test that uses your breath to detect H pylori and monitor treatment.

After collecting a baseline breath sample, you will drink a liquid containing synthetic urea (Pranactin®-Citric), which helps detect signs of H pylori in your breath. You will be asked to wait 15 minutes after drinking the liquid before obtaining another breath sample; both samples are then compared during analysis to detect the presence of H pylori.

Please see the "Preparing for your test" section for important information to consider prior to testing.

This test may be right for you if:

You have persistent or recurrent pain in the stomach area
You have mild to moderate digestive issues that have not been previously investigated
You experience frequent nausea
You feel persistently bloated or belching often
You experience a burning sensation in your stomach or throat
You smoke/use tobacco products regularly
You feel discomfort in your stomach/throat when lying down, late at night, or after eating greasy foods
You are taking an NSAID (aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Celebrex, etc)
You have a condition called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
You have been told you are iron deficient without a cause

This test may NOT be right for you if:

You are under the age of 21 or over the age of 60
You are pregnant or breastfeeding
You have had unexplained weight loss over the past few months
You experience trouble swallowing
You have low blood count, called anemia
You have persistent vomiting
You have yellowing of the skin, called jaundice
You have a known allergic reaction to mannitol, citric acid, or aspartame

Note: A “low blood count” is not an accurate description of anemia, since this could also refer to low levels of platelets and/or white blood cells. Rather, anemia specifically refers to low levels of healthy red blood cells, causing insufficiently low levels of hemoglobin.

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori)
is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach and intestines, causing inflammation and ulcers. It is a very common infection and often there are no symptoms. However, in some people, H pylori infection can cause digestive discomfort, nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Long-term infection with H pylori can increase the risk of other intestinal diseases, including stomach cancer. If you are experiencing these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider.In many cases, H pylori infection can be treated successfully with medications.

H pylori
is the only bacterium known to withstand the stomach's extremely acidic environment. H pylori can survive in acidic conditions because it produces urease, which results in the release of urea to form ammonia. This process raises the pH of the surrounding environment, making it more favorable for bacterial growth and cellular injury. The spiral shape of H pylori bacteria is thought to have evolved to enable penetration and infection, causing sores on the lining of the stomach or small intestine (peptic ulcers). Once the bacteria have damaged the protective coating, corrosive stomach acid can reach the sensitive lining. Together, stomach acid and H pylori irritate the lining of the stomach or small intestine, resulting in a peptic ulcer. These ulcers can worsen if left untreated.

H pylori may cause digestive disorders and stomach-related medical conditions, such as infections, ulcers, inflammation, and stomach cancer. Persistent or recurring digestive issues or abdominal pain may indicate an H pylori infection. If you are experiencing persistent or recurring digestive issues, contact your physician.

Although an H pylori infection can occur without signs or symptoms (asymptomatic), you may experience the following:

Frequent burping
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Nausea
Unexplained weight loss
Bloating
Chronic bad breath (halitosis)
Upset stomach
Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as pain, aching, or burning
Abdominal pain that worsens on an empty stomach
Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis)
Indigestion (dyspepsia)

The Pranactin®-Citric drink solution contains aspartame, which may be unsuitable for individuals who must restrict their phenylalanine intake. This test may not be appropriate for you if you are allergic or sensitive to mannitol, citric acid, or aspartame. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

You cannot eat or drink anything, including water, for 1 hour before this test. Eating or drinking anything (including water) in the hour before the test may lead to an invalid result.

PLEASE NOTE

Discontinuation of prescribed medication should only be done after discussing with your doctor.

Some medications could affect test accuracy:

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prilosec®, Prevacid®, Nexium®, Protonix®, etc
Pepto Bismol®
Antibiotics including treatment for H pylori

If you are taking over-the-counter medications as self-treatment, check with your doctor about whether these should also be stopped prior to testing:

H2 antagonists (Tagamet®, Zantac®, Pepcid®, Axid®)
Antacids (Tums®, Rolaids®, Maalox®)

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report. You will have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you. Your test results will be available to you a few days after we collect your sample.

How Does it Work?

Take an in-person test at a Quest Diagnostics location.

Over 2000+ locations focus on your safety, confidentiality and convenience.

Schedule your appointment after purchasing a test to minimize wait time.

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Easy to buy & simple to schedule

After your purchase, schedule an appointment at a nearby Quest Diagnostics location and have your specimen sample collected by a trained healthcare professional.

Fast online results, with support

Access test results from your phone as soon as they’re available, with the option to discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your healthcare provider, family, or friends.

FAQs

Are there other names for this test?

Yes, this test may also be referred to as the Breath Test, UBiT, Urea Breath Test, H pylori, or H pylori breath test.

Is this test performed using radiopharmaceuticals?

No, BreathTek™ UBiT® for H pylori is a noninvasive, nonradioactive method for detecting urease activity associated with H pylori infection.

How does an H. pylori infection occur?

H pylori infection is one of the most common infections in humans, affecting more than half of the population, but its cause is unknown. It is believed to spread from person to person through direct contact with saliva, vomit, feces, or contaminated food or water.

H Pylori Breath Test