Private At-Home SIBO and H. Pylori Breath Tests

Both breath tests are very safe and non-invasive. You may experience some bloating, discomfort or mild nausea from the test solution, but this usually passes very quickly. 

If preparation instructions are not followed correctly, there’s a risk that your results will be inaccurate. It’s essential to follow the preparation guide exactly, and let your clinician know if you had any problems completing the test.  

Preparation instructions are provided in the kit and must be followed carefully. If anything is unclear, contact the digestive health team, and they’ll be happy to advise you. 

Preparation typically includes:

• a restricted diet the day before
• fasting for a specified number of hours
• pausing certain medications
• avoiding smoking, exercise, or chewing gum before and during the test

There’s no recovery period after completing the test. Once you take your final sample, you can resume eating, drinking, and normal daily activities straight away.

It typically takes around 10 to 15 days for our laboratory team to analyse your results and write your comprehensive report. This will be sent directly to your referring clinician, who will contact you to discuss your diagnosis and any recommended next steps.

Postal breath tests cost £380 for SIBO and £250 for H. pylori.

At Welbeck, our digestive health specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book an at-home SIBO or H. pylori breath test, you must be referred by either your GP, dietician, or digestive health specialist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you’d like to schedule a consultation with a digestive health specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Can I have the breath tests at Welbeck instead of doing them at home?

If you’d prefer not to use the at-home kit, you can book an in-clinic breath test at our Digestive Health centre. Just let your referring clinician or our bookings team know. Please be aware that in-clinic testing is priced differently from the postal kits. We’ll provide clear costs before you book.

Will I get my results sooner if I come in for an in-clinic test?

Not usually. Whether your breath test is completed at home or in the clinic, samples are processed by the same laboratory, so the only difference will be the time taken to post the samples. If timing is important, our team can help you choose the quickest option based on kit availability and clinic appointments.

What if I make a mistake while doing the test?

If you make a mistake during the test (such as missing a time point or eating/drinking too early), contact our Digestive Health centre. In some cases, the test may still be usable; if not, they’ll arrange a replacement kit to be sent to you. 

Can children take an at-home breath test? 

The postal breath test service isn’t suitable for children. Your clinician will be able to advise the most appropriate alternative — this may include an in-clinic test, or a different diagnostic approach that’s better suited to children.