Urea breath test
This test is used to detect a Helicobacter Pylori bacterial infection in the stomach. This test does not use artificially produced radioactivity but a naturally ocurring material called Carbon-13, which can be accurately measured.
In preparation, the patient may be asked to stop some mediaction for a few days. The patient will also be asked to fast from 10pm on the night before the study.
When the patient arrives, the level of Carbon-13 present in a sample of their breath will be measured. The patient will then be given a small drink with a known amount of Carbon-13 in it. After thirty minutes another breath sample will be collected and measured. The changing levels of Carbon-13 in the breath before and after the drink will indicate the presence or absence of the bacteria in the stomach.
After the second breath sample has been collected, the patient will be able to go home. There are no side effects from this test. When the results have been calculated, a written report will be sent to the referring doctor.