Can I take probiotics before a breath test?

It is generally not recommended to consume probiotics before a breath test as it may interfere with the accuracy of the test results. Breath tests are mainly used to detect helicobacter pylori infection or lactose intolerance, and probiotics may affect the balance of gastrointestinal microbiota. Before conducting a urea breath test, subjects need to fast for 4-6 hours. Probiotics contain active microorganisms that may alter the gastric environment or interact with test reagents. Common probiotic preparations containing bifidobacteria and lactobacilli may temporarily affect urease activity testing, leading to false negative results. The excipients in some composite probiotic products, such as dairy ingredients, may also interfere with the data reading of lactose hydrogen breath test. In special circumstances, patients who take probiotics for a long time should communicate with their doctors in advance. If it is not possible to discontinue due to treatment needs, doctors may adjust the trial protocol or choose other testing methods. Some specific strains, such as Saccharomyces boulardii, have less interference with breath tests, but individual conditions need to be rigorously evaluated.

All probiotic preparations and probiotic containing foods, including yogurt, fermented dairy products, etc., should be discontinued three days before the examination. After completing the test, probiotic intake can be restored. If antibiotics or acid suppressants have been used recently, a breath test should be performed 2-4 weeks apart to avoid multiple factors affecting the reliability of the results. On the day of testing, maintain an empty stomach and only drink a small amount of water.