This post was written by Ann Vick, MT(ASCP), MLS(ASCP), laboratory chemistry specialist, Parkview Health.
Helicobacter pylori, more commonly called H. pylori, is a bacterium that infects your stomach or small intestine. It can cause irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), leading to stomach ulcers and peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori infection also increases your risk for stomach cancer.
What are the signs and symptoms of an H. pylori infection?
Your healthcare provider may order testing for H. pylori if you have symptoms of an ulcer or signs of gastritis, including:
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Stomach pain that improves if you eat something or take an antacid
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Aching or burning pain in your stomach between meals or at night
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Nausea or vomiting
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Frequent burping
How does my healthcare provider diagnose an H. pylori infection?
Upper endoscopy is the most accurate way to detect H. pylori infection, but this examination is invasive and time-consuming. Because of this, your provider may choose one of two simpler, non-invasive lab tests.
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Stool antigen tests look for a protein (antigen) that is unique to this specific bacterium in your stool. The presence of the H. pylori antigen indicates that the bacteria are present in your digestive tract.
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Breath tests compare the carbon dioxide breathed out after drinking a solution containing urea with the amount of carbon dioxide in a baseline specimen that is collected before consuming the drink. Changes to the carbon dioxide exhaled between the two samples indicate the presence of an H. pylori infection.
How do I prepare for an H. pylori test?
Some medications may cause a false negative result on your H. pylori test. This means that the test might produce a negative result even though you have a H. pylori infection. To help prevent this, prior to your test, your healthcare provider may ask you to stop taking certain medications, such as:
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Antibiotics
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Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®)
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Proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole (Prilosec®) or lansoprazole (Prevacid®)
Check with your healthcare provider for specific instructions on preparing for your lab test.
How do I collect a sample for my H. pylori test?
For the H. pylori stool antigen test, you’ll get a clean container from your provider to collect your sample. You can do this at the office or in the comfort of your own home. If you’re collecting at home, just follow your provider’s instructions for dropping off your sample.
During the H. pylori breath test, you will be asked to blow into a balloon-like bag. After you blow into the bag, you will drink a solution that tastes like weak lemonade containing urea. After waiting 15 minutes, you’ll blow into a second bag. Both samples are then sent to the lab for testing.
How long will it take to get results back?
The H. pylori stool antigen test and breath test are performed in the clinical laboratory at Parkview Regional Medical Center each weekday. Results should be available in your MyChart account within 1 to 3 days of your sample being sent to the lab.
A positive H. pylori test indicates that you have an H. pylori infection. Your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Your doctor may also recommend a medication to help the lining of your stomach or intestine heal.
Once you complete the prescribed course of antibiotics, your healthcare provider may ask you to repeat H. pylori testing to confirm that the infection is gone and that additional antibiotics are not needed.
To learn more about Parkview's laboratory services, visit us here.
