Name: H. pylori Breath Test
Brand: Quest
SKU: 14839M
Price: 200 USD
Availability: InStock

H. pylori Breath Test

Test for Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that may cause digestive disorders and stomach-related medical conditions. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Breath

Preparation:

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. 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, Pepto Bismol or 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) or Antacids (Tums, Rolaids, Maalox).

Test type: In Person

Find Patient Service Centers

$200.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

Do any of the following statements apply to you? Please select all that apply.

Have a known allergic reaction to mannitol citric acid or aspartame

Have been diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU)

Have been diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

Used medications such as proton pump inhibitors (medications including omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole, dexilant and lansoprazole) or carafates (sucralfate) within the last 2 weeks

Used antibiotics or bismuth containing medications (Pepto-bismol) within the last 4 weeks

None of the above apply to me

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

Approximately 40% of the people in the United States have an H. pylori stomach infection. In most cases, this infection doesn’t become a problem. However, if you suffer from indigestion that is persistent or keeps coming back, testing can help provide insight as to if H. pylori could be causing the issue. The H. pylori bacteria attach to the tissue that protects the stomach, damaging it and allowing the stomach acids to get through to the stomach wall. The bacteria can also irritate stomach cells and cause too much stomach acid. This urea breath test is used to detect the presence of H. pylori, which causes infection, and to monitor treatment. The PyloPlus® Urea Breath Test (UBT) 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.

Buy your own H. pylori breath test online with Quest. No doctor’s visit is required – simply purchase your testing, visit a nearby Quest® location for sample collection, and get fast results.

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

This test may be right for you if:

You have mild to moderate digestive issues that have not been previously investigated
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 live in the same household as someone who tests positive for H. pylori
You are taking an NSAID (aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Celebrex, etc)

This test may NOT be right for you if you experience the following symptom. Seeing a specialist is recommended for more appropriate evaluation:

Unexplained weight loss
Trouble swallowing
Have low blood count, called anemia*
Have been told you are iron deficient without a cause
Have frequent nausea or persistent vomiting
Have yellowing of the skin, called jaundice
Have persistent or recurrent pain in the stomach area

*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.

**Note: some medications, such as antibiotics and acid-suppressing medications (such as a proton pump inhibitor or Pepto-Bismol) may interfere with the accuracy of this test. If you are on one of these medications at this time or have been within the last 3 weeks, this test isn’t right for you.

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)

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. This test requires specimen collection at a Quest Diagnostics location. Collection not available in AK, AZ, or HI. 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; have been diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU); have been diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP); or have used certain medications within the past 2-4 weeks.

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.

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®)

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

Buy a lab test

No doctor visit is required for purchase.

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Register your test
& schedule an appointment

Book a visit to one of 2000+ Quest locations.

Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

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, PyloPlus® Urea Breath Test (UBT); 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.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests at questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

H. pylori Breath Test