Following on from yesterday’s question, where I mentioned it’s ideal to wait 28 days after treatment before you get re-tested for H pylori, Glenn asks:
‘What’s the best way to retest after treatment?”
Well, Glenn, the first thing to know is that a blood test probably should not be used.
Blood Test – No
H pylori antibodies in the blood can remain elevated for several months or even years, even after the H pylori has been eradicated.
Thus, a test may give a false positive (it says H pylori is there, even when it’s gone).
This info is present in the literature, but some docs don’t know about it. It’s nobody’s fault, and blood testing may be the only tool your doc has.
It’s best to discuss your options with him or her.
Endoscopy / Biopsy – Inconvenient
This test can be used, but it’s a lot of hassle and pretty stressful because they lay you on your side and shove a long tube down your throat to look around and take some snips from your stomach lining for analysis.
Furthermore it usually needs a trip to see a gastro specialist.
Breath Test – good, but not if H pylori is hanging around outside the stomach
Breath tests are useful in this situation and they’re my second pick.
But they won’t find lingering H pylori organisms in the intestine. In other words, they’ll only find the bugs in the stomach.
The literature suggests that breath tests lose some accuracy when used with kids.
Still, people report they’re pretty effective.
Stool Test – good and can be done at home if necessary
Because it’s accurate, and convenient, I reckon the stool test is best.
I’m biased because the stool test allowed me to sort my own health out and without it I’d have been in trouble.
The stool test does have some disadvantages – like all H pylori tests, it can provide false negative results.
A stool test can pick up H pylori anywhere in the gut, possibly even if it has migrated into the liver ducts (the breath test can’t find H pylori unless it’s physically in the stomach).
No Test is 100% Accurate
There are private companies who offer very high quality home stool tests at affordable prices, just in case the doc doesn’t want to re-test.
Some of these test check not only for H pylori, but also for other causes of your symptoms like parasites, Candida and inflammation, which is ideal if you clear out H pylori but still have symptoms.
Without wanting to harp on too much, I used the stool testing services of a couple of different labs to help clear my gut out and I really think it’s worth it.
I just want to make you aware they’re out there.
Keep firing the questions across.
More H-pylori stuff from me here.
Best,
Dave.
what companies for stool test/went to walgreens but no kits/online at amazon is just drop in sheets that turn blue or green/have not really got tested for anything/stomach bothering for 2 months/blood in stool every 5 weeks/bright red blood on toilet paper/so minimal/at hospital said blood count was normal/some days coffee bothers/somedays it doesn’t/stressed out from job bigtime/me i run 50 miles a month/work out with weights 3 times a week/if i were really sick doctor vand pharmacist siad i would never be able to do what i do/and i’m 60/in better shape than most 40 year olds/so i decide to do/mastic gum/manuka honey/and monaulauric acid for month with a good probiotic/will never get colonoscopy/endoscopy maybe/in ENGLAND 99% of country grt sigmoidoscopy/because that percent of issues are lower part of colon………………..doctors feed you pills/a healed patient is a lost patient/do not or have not ever taken pills
Adrian,
I recommend you check out this page:
h-pylori-testing
Best,
Dave
* please see disclaimers at the bottom of this page: I can’t guarantee your results will be the same as me and others, but you have to keep moving forward to find the best solution for YOU ?
IS THERE A BLOOD TEST FOR LUNG CANCER? TEST FOR H-PYLORI FOR ARTHRITIS, TEST FOR LYME DISEASE/
Frank,
I am not a cancer specialist – please ask your doctor for testing in the area of cancer and arthritis.
H pylori can be tested in four ways: stool, breath, blood, endoscopy/biopsy.
Some interesting information on stool testing can be found here
Not many doctors test for Lyme disease – it is very underestimated in terms
of its impact. It’s believed there are 250,000 or so new cases per year in the
US alone.
Again, you’ll need to speak with your doctor about the Lyme testing.
Best,
Dave
* please see disclaimers at the bottom of this page: I can’t guarantee your results will be the same as me and others, but you have to keep moving forward to find the best solution for YOU ?
That link to the company that provides stool test doesn’t work.
Thanks for pointing it out – we’ve just corrected it.
See here.
Best,
Dave