Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a common underlying cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, excessive gas, or nausea are all hallmark SIBO symptoms. When it comes to diagnosis, the gold standard is endoscopic small bowel aspiration. This method is invasive, inconvenient, and not without risk. Breath testing and stool testing are now more commonly used.

Today we dive into some specific patterns seen on stool testing that may point toward a SIBO diagnosis in symptomatic patients.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 2:50 IBS and bacteria in the small intestine
• 6:15 Symptoms of SIBO
• 7:35 Stool testing for IBS
• 9:05 Commensal abundance
• 10:00 Digestion and absorption markers
• 12:30 What do we think we know?
  • Pancreatic elastase 1 and SIBO
• 16:35 Gut metabolites
• 17:50 Methanobrevibacter smithii and methane dysbiosis
• 19:50 Bacterial culture
• 20:50 Question of the Day
  • How does methane slow transit time?

Additional Resources:

GI Effects Comprehensive Stool Profile

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