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 cornerstone in diagnosing functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO). Accurate results are crucial for effective treatment planning and patient care. One key factor ensuring the precision of these tests is CO2 correction, a process often overlooked but essential in obtaining reliable breath test results.
What is CO2 Correction?
CO2 correction is a method used to adjust the raw hydrogen and methane concentrations in breath samples, ensuring they reflect the true alveolar gas concentrations. Alveolar gas is the air in the lungs where gas exchange with the blood occurs, providing a more accurate measurement of gases produced in the intestines. By correcting for CO2, we can account for any dilution that occurs as the breath sample passes through the mouth, thereby improving the accuracy of the test results.
Why is CO2 Correction Important?
- Accuracy in Diagnosis: Without CO2 correction, the hydrogen and methane readings can be skewed, leading to potential misdiagnosis. CO2 correction ensures that the gas measurements represent the alveolar air levels, providing a more accurate diagnosis.
- Consistency in Results: CO2 correction reduces variability between breath samples and patients. This consistency is crucial for tracking the progress of functional GI disorders and the effectiveness of treatments over time.
- Eliminating Sample Dilution: Ambient air can dilute samples during breath testing. CO2 correction adjusts for this dilution, ensuring that the measurements are not falsely low, which could otherwise lead to underestimating the severity of conditions like SIBO and IMO.
Breath Testing Done Right: CDI’s CO2 Correction Methodology
At Commonwealth Diagnostics International (CDI), we take pride in our meticulous approach to breath testing. Our hydrogen and methane breath tests incorporate CO2 correction to ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability. Here’s how we do it:
- Sample Collection: Patients provide breath samples after ingesting a fermentable substrate such as lactulose or glucose. These samples are collected in CDI’s exclusive collection tubes that ensure the stability of each breath sample is maintained for up to two weeks after collection across a wide range of temperatures (-4 to 104 °F).
- CO2 Measurement: The CO2 concentration in each breath sample is measured alongside hydrogen and methane. This step is critical for adjusting the raw gas concentrations.
- Data Adjustment: Using the CO2 levels, our proprietary algorithms adjust the hydrogen and methane concentrations to account for any dilution by ambient air. This correction ensures that the results reflect the true alveolar gas concentrations. The laboratory considers any CO2 correction factor (cf) value over 2.50 an invalid sample and does not include it in the overall calculations of the test results.
- Transparent Reporting: CDI test results show hydrogen and methane values corrected for CO2 content in each sample as a quality assurance measure to ensure sample validity.
Why Choose CDI for Breath Testing?
CDI’s commitment to accuracy and transparency sets us apart in functional GI diagnostics. Our CO2 correction methodology is a testament to our dedication to providing healthcare providers with the most reliable and precise diagnostic tools available. Here’s why you should choose CDI:
- Clinically Validated: Our breath tests are clinically validated, ISO 13485 certified, FDA registered, and CE marked, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and credibility.
- Advanced Technology: Our MyGI Gateway platform centralizes all breath testing data, streamlining order management, tracking, and diagnostic results.
- Comprehensive Support: We offer result interpretation assistance, personalized patient outreach, and a comprehensive provider resource center to support healthcare providers and their patients every step of the way.
- Patient-Friendly: Our at-home breath tests are non-invasive, convenient, and cost-effective, making them ideal for patients of all ages.
For more information on our breath testing solutions and how they can benefit your practice, visit CDI’s Breath Testing Services.
