My lactulose breath test: results.

The results are in. It's official. I have SIBO.

I was surprised how fast the turnaround was. Sent the kit in last Thursday by FedEx and on Tuesday, my ND got the notification. So yes, considering it's Saturday, I've been mulling things over for a few days. Take a look:

The graph up top and chart on the left show my baseline breath levels of hydrogen and methane gasses before drinking the lactulose solution, and my production of these gases over the 2-hour post-imbibing period.

In the case of a positive test (which this is) the type of gas produced indicates which type of microbe is overpopulating the small intestine.

As suspected, I am a methane producer. IBS-C people usually are. (My proud motto "my farts don't smell" was another tipoff, since methane, as I recently learned, is an odorless gas.)

As you can see, I started out with high baseline levels of methane. These levels decreased initially, but when the lactulose hit my distal ("far away") ileum, they shot up again. Hydrogen levels shot up at that point, too.

This indicates the presence of both methane-producing and hydrogen-producing microbes, although the methanogens are prominent.

At my house, everybody eats.

I found it a bit confusing why at first, my breath gas levels went down but apparently that is not uncommon, according to this excellent article from Allison Siebecker (my hero) and her research partner Steven Sandberg-Lewis, which helped me make sense of the results:

SIBO: The Finer Points of Diagnosis, Test Interpretation, and Treatment

Anyway, considering that I began with elevated baseline levels, the reported "mild increase" of 14 points suggests I have a mild-to-moderate case of SIBO.

It's good to have confirmation. A little weird, but good. I suppose I could feel invaded, but I've decided instead to position myself as a wonderful host for these little guys. The hostess with the mostest!

Nevertheless, I'm ready for my guests to leave. I have a plan, and it is operational. Herbal antibiotics, biofilm disruptors, digestive support, motility support.

More on that later...