From the Guidelines
The TRIO Smart Breath Test is a diagnostic tool used to detect small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO) by measuring hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide gases in your breath, and it can be obtained through a healthcare provider or purchased directly from the manufacturer or authorized distributors. To obtain the TRIO Smart Test or the lactulose breath test preparation, you can contact your healthcare provider who can order it for you, or you can purchase it directly from the manufacturer, Gemelli Biotech, or authorized distributors like Commonwealth Diagnostics International 1. Some functional medicine practitioners and gastroenterologists also offer it in their offices.
Key Points to Consider
- The lactulose solution needed for the test is typically included in the test kit 1.
- Before taking the test, you'll drink the lactulose solution (a non-digestible sugar) and then collect breath samples at specific intervals by blowing into tubes.
- The bacteria in your intestines ferment the lactulose, producing gases that are measured to determine if you have bacterial overgrowth.
- This test is valuable because it helps identify specific gas patterns that can guide treatment approaches for digestive symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation.
Important Considerations
- The sensitivity and specificity of breath tests, including the lactulose hydrogen breath test, have been found to be poor in some studies, with sensitivities ranging from 17% to 68% and specificities ranging from 70% to less than 70% 1.
- However, the TRIO Smart Breath Test measures not only hydrogen but also methane and hydrogen sulfide gases, which may provide more accurate results.
- It is essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action and to interpret the results of the test.
Where to Obtain the Test
- Healthcare provider
- Manufacturer (Gemelli Biotech)
- Authorized distributors (Commonwealth Diagnostics International)
- Functional medicine practitioners
- Gastroenterologists
From the Research
Trio Smart Test and Lactulose Breath Test
- The Trio Smart Test is not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies, but the lactulose breath test is discussed in several studies as a method for detecting small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and evaluating orocecal transit time (OCTT) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The lactulose breath test involves the ingestion of lactulose, a non-absorbable carbohydrate, which is fermented by bacteria in the gut, producing hydrogen gas that can be measured in the breath 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Obtaining the Lactulose Breath Test
- The studies do not provide information on where to obtain the lactulose breath test or the Trio Smart Test, but it is likely that the test can be performed in a medical setting, such as a hospital or clinic, under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
- The lactulose breath test typically involves the ingestion of a specific dose of lactulose, such as 10g or 20g, and the measurement of breath hydrogen levels over a period of time, usually 2-3 hours 2, 4, 5, 6.
Preparation for the Lactulose Breath Test
- The preparation for the lactulose breath test may involve fasting or avoiding certain foods and medications before the test, but the specific preparation instructions are not provided in the studies.
- The studies suggest that the lactulose breath test can be influenced by various factors, such as intestinal and extraintestinal factors, and that the results should be interpreted with caution 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.