Genova Diagnostics · Exclusive distributor in Sweden

SIBO breath test.
Hydrogen and methane at home.

Q: What is SIBO and how does it develop?

SIBO means an increased bacterial load in the small intestine. Symptoms such as bloating, pain, diarrhoea or constipation have many possible causes, so a breath-test report must be considered alongside clinical context.

Q: How is the SIBO breath test performed?

The test is performed at home and requires no blood samples. You drink a lactulose or glucose solution and collect breath samples every 20 minutes over 2–3 hours into prepared tubes included in the kit. The samples are sent to the laboratory for analysis of hydrogen (H₂) and methane (CH₄) — the gases produced by bacteria in the small intestine. The kit is posted to your home with detailed instructions.

Q: What is the difference between the lactulose and glucose protocols?

Glucose and lactulose have different absorption and fermentation profiles. The substrate supplied for a direct order is stated in the kit information; if you are uncertain whether the test is suitable, seek medical advice before collection.

Q: What is IMO and how does it differ from classic SIBO?

IMO (intestinal methanogen overgrowth) refers to an increased methane pattern involving methane-producing archaea rather than bacteria. The breath test reports methane alongside hydrogen; the pattern requires clinical context and does not by itself explain constipation or another symptom.

Q: How does the SIBO test fit into the GCR protocol?

A direct SIBO test purchase is separate from MediBalans clinical care. The laboratory report may provide supporting information, but does not by itself establish a diagnosis or determine treatment. Optional medical interpretation can be booked after the report is ready.

This at-home breath panel reports hydrogen and methane curves after a test substrate. Bloating, pain, diarrhoea and constipation have many possible causes, so the laboratory report is supporting information rather than a diagnosis.

3,700 SEK. Includes the breath-test kit, Genova laboratory analysis and laboratory report. Medical interpretation is optional and separate.

Order SIBO test — 3,700 SEK Book

Direct purchase: test kit, Genova laboratory analysis and laboratory report included. No referral or mandatory consultation. Medical interpretation and treatment are optional, separate clinic services.

A different measurement

Breath gases are not shown
by a standard stool panel

A breath test measures exhaled gas after a test substrate; blood tests, stool tests and endoscopy answer different questions. A breath-test pattern still needs to be considered with symptoms, preparation quality and clinical context.

Hydrogen (H₂) is produced primarily by bacteria. Methane (CH₄) is produced by archaea and is associated with slower intestinal transit. This Genova panel reports both gases; the curves require clinical context and do not alone establish a diagnosis.

Test result versus clinical care. The direct purchase provides a laboratory report. If you later choose a MediBalans medical review, the report can be considered alongside symptoms, history and other relevant findings. Interpretation and treatment are not included in the test price.

SIBO vs IMO

Two conditions, one analysis

SIBO — small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Hydrogen (H₂). Gut bacteria can produce hydrogen during fermentation. The report plots the change in breath hydrogen after substrate intake; a curve does not establish the cause of diarrhoea, cramping or bloating on its own.

IMO — intestinal methanogen overgrowth

Methane (CH₄). Methane-producing archaea contribute to breath methane. Methane patterns may be considered when constipation is present, but the laboratory result does not by itself explain a person's symptoms.

Test facts

Method: breath test, H₂ and CH₄. Substrate: lactulose or glucose, selected clinically. Sampling: at home, breath samples every 20 minutes for 2–3 hours. Turnaround: 2–3 weeks from sample receipt. Laboratory: Genova Diagnostics (USA) — MediBalans is the exclusive distributor in Sweden.

How the test is done

Four steps at home

01 Preparation. Follow the current kit instructions for diet, fasting, medicines, supplements and timing. Contact order support before collection if any instruction is unclear; do not stop prescribed medication without speaking to the responsible clinician.

02 Baseline breath. Collect the baseline breath sample exactly as the current kit instructions describe.

03 Substrate and sampling. You drink the lactulose or glucose solution and collect breath samples every 20 minutes for 2–3 hours. Each sample captures gas production in real time as the substrate is fermented.

04 Laboratory analysis and report. Samples are sent to Genova's laboratory. The direct order ends with delivery of the laboratory report. If you want medical interpretation, you may book MediBalans separately after the report is ready.

Frequently asked questions

SIBO testing explained

What is SIBO and how does it develop?

How is the SIBO breath test performed?

What is the difference between the lactulose and glucose protocols?

What is IMO and how does it differ from classic SIBO?

How does the SIBO test fit into the GCR protocol?

Sample Report

What your results look like

The laboratory report displays hydrogen and methane measurements over the collection period against the laboratory's reference criteria. It is a test report, not a standalone diagnosis.

Four measurement points

01 Hydrogen — measured every 20 minutes over 3 hours
02 Methane — plotted across the collection period
03 Collection timing — sample times recorded for the curve
04 Laboratory criteria — report presentation against the laboratory's criteria

Order SIBO Breath Test — 3 700 kr → View full sample report (PDF) →

How does MediBalans SIBO test compare?

A fact-based comparison.

	MediBalans / SIBO test	GetTested / SIBO test	Gutfeeling Labs	Holistic SIBO test
Method	Lactulose breath test	Lactulose breath test	Urine test (mass spectrometry)	Lactulose breath test
Gases measured	H₂ + CH₄	Verify with seller	Verify with seller	Verify with seller
Collection time	3 hours (10 data points)	2 hours (7 tubes)	Single sample	2 hours
Medical interpretation	Optional, booked separately	—	—	—
Direct price includes	Kit + analysis + report	Check seller	Check seller	Check seller
Laboratory	Genova Diagnostics	Verify with seller	Verify with seller	Verify with seller
Price	SEK 3,700	Verify with seller	Verify with seller	Verify with seller

Comparison details and third-party prices can change. Verify current scope, sample protocol, return logistics and price with each seller before ordering.

Next step

Order the breath test directly

Order the test directly without becoming a MediBalans patient. The price includes the kit, laboratory analysis and laboratory report. If you want a medical results review afterwards, book it separately for SEK 1,500 per 60 minutes.

Order SIBO test — 3,700 SEK Book

Keep reading. All 47 articles — symptom guides, clinical notes, investigations and diagnostics — are collected and searchable in the knowledge base.

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One complimentary month included

Explore your Genova report with Meet Mario

Every Genova test ordered through MediBalans includes one complimentary month of Meet Mario access. Use it to explore the report, receive contextual explanations and collect questions about the results.

Digital support is not a medical assessment. The test purchase does not create a MediBalans patient relationship; clinical interpretation, treatment and follow-up are separate services.

See what Meet Mario can help with

Meet Mario view for exploring a laboratory report

SIBO breath test.Hydrogen and methane at home.

Breath gases are not shownby a standard stool panel