If you have any red flag symptoms:

• Unexplained weight loss
• blood in stools
• difficulty swallowing
• Persistent vomiting that hasn’t been investigated
• diarrhoea that hasn’t been investigated with at least routine bloods, a faecal calprotectin or QFIT bowel screen.

We only assess and support adults age 16 and over

Yes and identifying the particular type is essential in establishing the right treatment for you:

Hydrogen-Dominant SIBO

· Most common form of SIBO.

· Caused by bacteria that produce hydrogen gas.

· Linked strongly with loose stools and diarrhoea-dominant symptoms.

Methane-Dominant SIBO (IMO)

· Also called Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth.

· Caused by archaea that consume hydrogen to produce methane gas.

· Slows down gut motility and is commonly linked with chronic constipation.

Hydrogen Sulfide-Dominant SIBO

· Caused by microbes that convert hydrogen into hydrogen sulfide gas.

· Often associated with diarrhoea, bloating, and pungent gas with a rotten egg odor.

Mixed SIBO

· Occurs when breath tests show high levels of both hydrogen and methane gases.

· Can present with alternating or combined symptoms of both diarrhoea and constipation.

It will depend on the range of the results. If results are borderline and symptoms are suggestive of SIBO, you may be suitable for ‘empirical’ treatment of SIBO. You would need to have your results reviewed with a clinician, in-line with your symptoms and other investigations to determine if this is appropriate. You can arrange a review appointment with us (extra cost)

If results are strongly negative, then other investigations can be considered or if already, done, then a focus on dietary and lifestyle changes may be helpful on symptoms.

Treatment is a 3-pronged approach.

1. Evidence based treatment has been shown to be helpful with certain types of antibiotics (depending on the type of SIBO you have). This first line treatment advice is in keeping with UK and American guidelines for SIBO treatment.

2. Some research has been done into microbials for treatment but evidence is limited for this.

3. Understanding the key factors that increases the risk of developing SIBO and preventing it returning post treatment. This is usually done through a more detailed clinical, dietary and lifestyle assessment and a plan tailored to you.

Yes, we can review positive results in line with your symptoms and other investigations you have already taken.

Please be aware that if we feel other investigations have not been done, we may recommend these are done first from a safety point of view. Depending on symptoms, these first line investigations are typically a blood test, faecal calprotectin, QFit bowel screening, h.pylori, faecal elastase. These can easily be done via your GP or can be arranged by The GutSense clinic.

GPs cannot prescribe treatment for SIBO as per national guidance.

However, if you are already under the care of a gastro or colorectal consultant, either privately or within the NHS, you can take along your SIBO results report and discuss treatment options with them and they should be able to provide the prescription for you.

If you being prescribed treatment through The GutSense clinic, we can arrange a prescription to be sent to you or direct to a preferred pharmacy.

The GutSense clinic does not set the prescription charge, this is done by each individual pharmacy, UK wide.

Typical charge for a 2 week course of antibiotics is £250-£450, depending on which pharmacy you use. It is worth contacting different pharmacies for price comparison.