hydrogen breath test

A hydrogen breath test is a diagnostic tool used to identify digestive issues, such as lactose intolerance or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. During the test, you breathe into a device after consuming a specific sugary solution. If your body has difficulty digesting the sugar, bacteria in your gut produce hydrogen, which is absorbed into your bloodstream and exhaled. The device measures hydrogen levels in your breath over time. Elevated hydrogen indicates that undigested sugar is fermenting in your gut, helping doctors diagnose the cause of symptoms like bloating, gas, or digestive discomfort.