13C-Urea Helicobactor Pylori, Breath Test

Urea Breath Test

24 hours

Isotope Mass Ratio Spectrophotometer (IMRS)

Accredited NRL Laboratory

Daily

A non-invasive breath test used to detect Helicobacter pylori infection. The patient ingests a urea compound labelled with ^13C, if H. pylori is present in the stomach, the urea is broken down, and ^13C-labeled carbon dioxide is exhaled and measured, confirming active infection​

Breath sample

2 Breath Collection bags (base level and after 13C Urea intake)

HELIFAN Plus Breath Collection bag

The patient should fast for at least one hour prior to testing. The patient should not take antimicrobials, proton pump inhibitors, or bismuth preparations within two weeks prior to testing. Note: Solution contains phenylalanine. Phenylketonurics should be warned.

This test does not require any special collection or pre-analytical handling. Follow routine specimen collection protocols.