Urea breath test

Urea breath test (C13 Test)

A quick, safe test that helps to diagnose stomach ulcers and indigestion.

About urea breath test

Having Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) bacteria in your stomach could mean that you have a stomach ulcer or indigestion (dyspepsia). By looking for the presence of this bacteria, the urea breath test can give a strong indication as to whether or not you need further treatment.

Need to know

What happens

Your nurse will ask you to drink a special liquid. It contains a harmless radioactive chemical which is broken down by H pylori bacteria. For the next 30 minutes, you sit still without eating or drinking. You then breathe into a machine which takes samples of your breath. These samples are then sent to one of our labs for analysis.

How to prepare

Like all procedures there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your doctor or nurse will explain these to you and answer any questions. However, this diagnostic test is extremely safe. Your doctor will let you know how long you should avoid eating and drinking beforehand. Please let them know if you're taking any medication as it may interfere with the results.