Accurate Diagnosis with Next-Generation Tech
Several clinics offer traditional ways for medical testing. However, at My Concierge MD, we utilize advanced technology, such as the pylori breath test (BreathID breath test system), which is a noninvasive test for detecting active Helicobacter pylori infection. We also offer the pylori stool antigen test, another noninvasive test suitable for both adults and pediatric patients, including those FDA-cleared for this population. Both tests are practical, convenient, and provide accurate test results for diagnosis and management.
Many physicians prefer the C-Urea Breath Test, which is a 10-minute procedure. Leading organizations such as the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterological Association, as well as the American Academy of Family Physicians, endorse the Carbon 13 Urea Breath Test to diagnose H. pylori. These organizations recommend noninvasive tests like the urea breath test and stool antigen test for diagnosing active infection and for follow-up testing to confirm eradication after treatment. The stool antigen test often uses an enzyme immunoassay for detection, providing high accuracy. In some specialized settings, polymerase chain reaction can be used to detect H. pylori DNA, especially when standard methods are inconclusive.
Your baseline breath is required to be collected at the beginning of your test. We will then provide a tasteless solution that you have to drink. Your lungs will carry carbon dioxide (CO2) as it is released into your bloodstream if H. pylori is present. This pylori breath test is noninvasive and can be used for both initial diagnosis and to confirm eradication after therapy.
Our cutting-edge equipment investigates your exhaled breath. It helps to assess the presence of the bacteria and provides reliable test results. Additionally, it is utilized to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment in eradicating the infection. If you test positive or receive a positive test result, it means you have an H. pylori infection and typically require antibiotic therapy, followed by follow-up testing to confirm eradication. Successful eradication is confirmed by negative results on follow-up noninvasive tests.
Our healthcare provider may order one or more tests to ensure accurate diagnosis, especially in populations with varying H. pylori prevalence, as prevalence can affect testing strategies and interpretation of test results. While serologic testing and serology tests are available, they have limitations in detecting active infection and cannot distinguish between current and past infection, making them less preferred compared to noninvasive tests like the urea breath test and stool antigen test.
Types of Helicobacter Pylori Tests
When it comes to diagnosing a pylori infection, several reliable tests are available to help pinpoint the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the digestive system. The most commonly used diagnostic tests include:
- Urea Breath Test: This noninvasive test detects H. pylori by measuring the amount of carbon dioxide in your breath after you drink a special solution. If H. pylori is present in your stomach lining, the bacteria break down the solution, releasing carbon dioxide that can be measured in your breath. This test is highly accurate and is often used to both diagnose infection and confirm successful treatment.
- Stool Antigen Test: This test checks for pylori antigens in a stool sample, indicating an active H. pylori infection. It is a convenient and effective way to detect the bacteria, especially in children and adults who may not tolerate other procedures.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests look for pylori antibodies, which are produced by your immune system in response to infection. While these tests can indicate if you have ever been exposed to H. pylori, they may not distinguish between a current and past infection, making them less useful for confirming active infection.
- Endoscopic Biopsy: In some cases, a gastroenterologist may recommend an upper endoscopy to collect a tissue sample from the stomach lining. This biopsy can be tested directly for H. pylori using several methods, including the rapid urease test, histology, or molecular techniques.
Each of these tests plays a crucial role in diagnosing H. pylori, which is a leading cause of peptic ulcer disease and a significant risk factor for gastric cancer. Your healthcare provider will recommend the most appropriate test based on your symptoms and medical history.
Pros of H. Pylori Testing and Treatment
Nobody deserves pain and discomfort. Getting tested for H. pylori infection can help you avoid chronic digestive discomfort and prevent ulcers. You are able to get early detection and prevent peptic ulcers, belching, nausea, heartburn, and indigestion caused by H. pylori.
Many patients experience declining energy due to H. pylori infection, as they struggle to digest their food, resulting in reduced energy levels on a day-to-day basis. If you undergo H. pylori testing, you do not just avoid minor complications but also prevent yourself from long-term gastric cancer risk.
Antibiotic therapy is the cornerstone of eradication therapy for H. pylori infection, and successful eradication is important for preventing recurrence and complications. However, antibiotic resistance can sometimes lead to pylori treatment failure, making follow-up and appropriate therapy selection essential.
By addressing H. pylori infection, you can:
- Protect the stomach lining
- Avoid painful digestive issues
- Lower the chances of stomach cancer
- Healthy digestive system
At My Concierge MD, our healthcare professionals primarily appreciate the patients who prioritize prevention as the highest standard of care.
Ideal Candidates for H. Pylori Testing
H. pylori testing plays a vital role in everybody’s life; however, if you have the following, you should definitely consider H. pylori testing;
- Experiencing severe stomach pain right after eating meals or even on an empty stomach.
- Patients who have digestive complaints such as indigestion, heartburn, burping, bloating, and nausea, and who repeatedly experience these complications should consider H. pylori testing.
- If you have a family history of gastric cancer or peptic ulcer disease, you should never avoid this testing. It will help you with early diagnosis and prevent poor gastric health.
- People who have taken nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) painkillers for a very long time are more prone to a disturbed stomach lining. It potentially triggers H. pylori effects; hence, H. pylori testing seems to be an effective solution in such cases.
- Some patients do not experience symptoms of H. pylori infection and are asymptomatic; this test can be a valuable preventive tool for them.
- If you grew up or live in areas with high prevalence and sanitary concerns, we recommend a preventive health assessment with our H. pylori testing, which improves your quality of life and enhances your energy levels.
Why Choose My Concierge MD for H.Pylori Testing?
My Concierge MD is renowned for its bespoke options, as we don’t follow the one-size-fits-all care pattern. We design the H. pylori test to bring expertise, a personalized plan, and convenience to each patient. You should choose us as we provide
Top Notch Testing
Depending on the unique needs of your case, we provide accurate and state-of-the-art testing that includes stool antigen tests, breath tests and other significant diagnostics.
Guidance and Interpretation
Our physicians are highly certified and don’t just run tests; they provide thorough guidance to help you. We interpret your results and discuss all the potential aspects that give you clarity about your tests. When interpreting blood test results for H. pylori, we explain that the immune system makes antibodies in response to H. pylori infection, and these antibodies are what serology tests detect.
Customized Plan
Every person’s health concerns are unique, even if two patients are diagnosed with the same infection. Hence, once we detect the disease, we provide a tailored treatment plan, including acid-blocking/ulcer-healing medications, as well as the optimal antibiotic regimen.
Follow-up and Lifestyle Guidance
Once your testing and therapy plan is finalized, we prefer that you follow up to confirm whether the bacteria have been eradicated or not. It helps us monitor our recovery and provide better guidance for potential concerns that may arise in the future.
Our professional providers will also recommend dietary, hygiene, and daily habits that decrease the chances of reinfection.
Convenient Process
We ensure our patients’ convenience from initial consultation to risk assessment and follow-up plans. We utilize progressive approaches to treat H. pylori infection.
So, what are you waiting for?
If you or your loved one has a minute chance of having H. pylori, or even if you are asymptomatic, feel free to schedule a consultation with a Concierge Physician from My Concierge MD, in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, who administers a relatively simple test with expertise, discretion, and personalized support to safeguard your gut health for the long term.
FAQS
What is tested with the H. pylori test?
Our healthcare professionals offer a variety of services, including stool antigen tests, urea breath tests, and other diagnostic techniques, to assess active H. pylori infections.
If my test is positive, what will happen?
We offer treatment that includes a combination of two antibodies and medication such as proton-pump inhibitors. It will help protect the stomach lining and reduce stomach acid.
Do I need testing even if I am asymptomatic?
Yes, most people do not experience symptoms of H. pylori infection and are asymptomatic. However, prevention is better than a cure, so to avoid risk factors, it is preferable to opt for proactive testing.
Does reinfection with H. pylori happen even after treatment?
Reinfection can occur due to poor water quality, inadequate hygiene, and unsanitary conditions.
