Sample stability is a crucial factor directly impacting the accuracy and reliability of hydrogen and methane breath testing results. Ensuring that samples remain stable throughout collection, storage, and transportation is essential for maintaining the integrity of the breath test, which detects conditions such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO), and carbohydrate…
CO2 correction is a vital component of accurate hydrogen and methane breath testing, and at CDI, we lead the way in implementing this essential process. By choosing CDI, healthcare providers can trust that they receive the most accurate, reliable, and transparent diagnostic results, enabling them to deliver exceptional patient care. Breath testing has become a…
A recent study and editorial in The American Journal of Gastroenterology (AJG) revisit a question that sits at the heart of modern functional GI care: When patients with disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) say they’re “intolerant” to certain carbohydrates, how often is that backed by objective malabsorption—and does it matter clinically? The answer from this work: carbohydrate malabsorption…
Hydrogen and methane breath testing plays a critical role in diagnosing functional gastrointestinal disorders such as SIBO, IMO, and carbohydrate malabsorption. A breath test is ordered to answer a specific clinical question and guide next steps in patient care. When a test is never completed or returned, that diagnostic pathway stops short. Unreturned or unregistered…
Hydrogen and methane breath testing has become a staple in diagnosing conditions like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO). While effective, understanding the sensitivity and specificity of these tests is critical for interpreting results accurately. This article in our ongoing Breath Testing Done Right series delves into how sensitivity and specificity…
A newly published study from Swedish clinical researchers further confirms the diagnostic value of hydrogen and methane breath testing (HMBT) for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)—supporting the core science behind CDI’s non-invasive testing model. The 2025 study, Refined Lactulose Hydrogen Breath Test for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Diagnosis Based on a Survey Among Experts, analyzed data from…
As functional GI disorders, such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO), and carbohydrate malabsorption, continue to challenge clinicians due to symptom overlap and diagnostic ambiguity, new research underscores an important truth: symptoms and history alone are not reliable predictors of breath test outcomes. A large-scale 2024 study conducted by our research…
As practices across the country continue to adopt non-invasive hydrogen and methane breath testing to improve diagnostic accuracy for functional gastrointestinal conditions, one performance metric is proving especially critical to clinical and operational success: the test return ratio. Simply put, your return ratio is the percentage of breath test kits shipped to your practice (or…
In gastroenterology, missed tests often mean missed diagnoses—and missed opportunities for timely, effective care. As functional GI diagnostics continue to shift toward non-invasive, value-based solutions, such as hydrogen and methane breath testing, optimizing each step of the diagnostic process has never been more critical. One of the most powerful—and often overlooked—levers to improve test completion…
Accurate diagnosis of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO), and carbohydrate malabsorption relies on multiple critical factors, including the timing of the breath test and the consistency of sampling intervals. While the substrate used, patient preparation, and sample integrity all contribute to diagnostic success, the collection schedule itself plays a pivotal role…
