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SIBO Testing 101: What It Is, When to Do It, and Why It Matters
You’re eating healthy (mostly), trying to move your body, maybe even taking probiotics. But your gut? Still not happy.
The bloating won’t quit. You’re reacting to foods that were totally fine a few months ago. Some
days your brain’s foggy, your energy dips, and honestly – it’s frustrating. You’ve ruled out the
basics, but nothing really sticks.
If this sounds familiar, it might be something you haven’t looked into yet: SIBO – short for Small
Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.
It’s a condition that often goes undetected, and it can make you feel off in more ways than just
digestion. So let’s talk about what it is, how to test for SIBO (without all the confusion), and
how Beometry can help you figure out what’s really going on.
What Even Is SIBO?
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, but most of them are supposed to live in the large intestine. SIBO happens when those bacteria grow in the small intestine instead – where they don’t belong.
The result? Bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, and sometimes issues like acne, fatigue, or even brain fog.
Because SIBO shares symptoms with a bunch of other things – like IBS, stress, or poor digestion – it’s easy to overlook. That’s why testing matters.
How Do You Test for SIBO?
If you’re googling “how is SIBO tested” or “is there a test for SIBO?” – yes, there are a few. But not all are equally helpful.
SIBO Breath Test
This is the gold standard. It’s non-invasive and widely used.
- You drink a sugar solution (usually glucose or lactulose)
- Then you breathe into a tube at timed intervals
- The test measures hydrogen and methane gases produced by bacteria
If those gases spike too early, it’s a sign that bacteria are active in the small intestine, not where they should be.
This is typically the first step if your symptoms point to SIBO. You can get one through your doctor, a gastroenterologist.
Some things to consider with a SIBO breathe test:
There are different kinds of sugar molecules, for best test results you need to test multiple kinds of sugar to gauge what’s happening and their rate of fermentation.
You can test negative on the breathe test and still have gut related micro biome issues.
It’s common to see people pass a “ H pylorus/ heliobacter” breathe test and still have symptoms that resolve with treatment.
It’s important to consider what this individual test is really measuring.
Sugar gas in excess that isn’t breaking down.
Though this test is considered “ harmless”, drinking large amounts of sugar will aggravate bacteria ( especially pathogenic strands).
It can be common to have discomfort after this test if detoxification pathways are pushed to their limits.
Though for many practitioners the breathe test is considered the 1st test, for many advanced practitioners it is not considered a reliable or helpful test.
Blood Test for SIBO
Some practitioners run blood tests to look for patterns tied to SIBO, like nutrient deficiencies (low B12, low iron) or inflammation markers. But these aren’t used alone to diagnose it.
If you’re searching “SIBO blood test” or “SIBO bacteria test” – just know it’s more of a supporting clue than a full answer.
Being able to understand what is happening from blood work will require the practitioner to have a deep understanding of blood chemistry relationships.
Such as what happens when sulfur based bacteria is overgrown and the impact on the chemistry levels in the body as well as the gut lining and associated markers.
Blood work is also a snapshot of a moment in time.
This means that blood tests can look radically different on a given day, inflammatory markers can change instantly.
Having a history of blood work helps establish a base and expected normal to use this kind of data.
An advantage of doing comprehensive blood work to look for SIBO and other gut infections is you can see markers related to gut health, liver, kidneys, immune system and use the information to point to probable situations.
If someone is trained in blood work, it’s a far better tool than a positive or negative as a “weighted” test allows high, lows, and middles to paint a more thorough picture of what is happening.
Stool for SIBO
Due to the nature of SIBO being a “ Small Intestine” infection a stool test will have to be interpreted by the limitation of the test.
A “poop” test, shows you what is in the “large intestine” which is the transit out system of the body.
Reading a stool test for “ opportunistic bacteria” ( bacteria that overgrows if given the advantage” may show up in low levels in the stool test but should not be ignored.
A practitioner knowing what kind of bacteria should be in the small intestine vs the large intestine can help us rule out what is happening in the small intestine.
Knowing what kind of good bacteria should be in the test also tells us what could be occurring elsewhere.
Finally, short chain fatty acids in the test can tell us the likelihood of having a gut issue or situation as well as the enzyme report on how the gut is doing.
While SIBO can be an issue, understanding the interdependence of the gut, other organs, and test results are needed to address a SIBO issue.
The re-occurrence of SIBO is high as not enough programs consider the entire system and without addressing structure, detox system, diet and rotating food sources SIBO can re-occur.
How to Get Tested for SIBO Without Guesswork
It’s one thing to know the test exists. It’s another to figure out which one is right for you, how to prep, and what to do next.
That’s where working with someone like Beometry’s Gut Health Coaching makes all the difference. You’ll get help choosing the right testing method, interpreting the results, and mapping out a plan that makes sense for your body (not someone else’s).
Because testing is just one part, what happens after matters even more.
Most clients come to us with existing breath tests and need more comprehensive testing and expertise.
When Is SIBO Testing Worth It?
If you’ve tried all the basics – more water, more fiber, fewer trigger foods – and still feel stuck, it might be time to go deeper.
Common signs it might be SIBO:
- Persistent bloating, especially after eating
- Gas that doesn’t seem tied to specific foods
- Brain fog or low energy
- Skin breakouts that aren’t hormonal or diet-related
- Food sensitivities that seem to be growing
You don’t need to have every symptom on the list. Even a few could be worth checking out
So You Got Tested – Now What?
If your test comes back positive, you don’t need to panic. There are evidence-based treatments that work, including:
- Anti- Microbials
- Dietary changes/ rotation
- Gut lining repair and long-term maintenance
The key is not to do it alone. With Beometry’s SIBO coaching, you’ll get support that’s tailored to you. No random food lists. No guessing. Just practical guidance that helps your gut – and you – feel better long term.
You Deserve to Feel Good in Your Body Again
If your symptoms keep showing up without clear answers, don’t ignore that nudge to dig deeper. Getting the right test for SIBO could be the missing piece, and the first real step toward lasting relief.
You’re not overreacting. You’re just ready for answers
Check out Beometry today and take the next step toward feeling like yourself again.
