#93 - SIBO Testing Has Changed: What You Need to Know with Dr. Allison Siebecker

SIBO testing used to feel pretty straightforward. Take a breath test, look at hydrogen and methane, and make a treatment decision. But the world of SIBO testing is changing fast.

In this episode of The Turd Nerds, we’re joined once again by SIBO expert Dr. Allison Siebecker to break down some of the newest research in SIBO and breath testing, including updates presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW).

We dig into FoodMarble and how this handheld breath-testing device is being used in research, how it compares with traditional breath testing, and where we still have questions. We also take a deeper look at Trio-Smart, evolving hydrogen sulfide cutoffs, methane interpretation, and the mysterious “flat-line” breath test.

And because we’re the Turd Nerds, we obviously take a few detours, including some fascinating new research suggesting methane production may change during the menstrual cycle. Yes, there may actually be a reason for all that PMS bloating and constipation.

In This Episode:

✔ What’s new in SIBO breath testing

✔ FoodMarble vs. traditional SIBO breath tests

✔ What recent research tells us about FoodMarble

✔ Why timing and test duration matter

✔ Hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide are interpreted differently

✔ New thinking around hydrogen sulfide levels between 1.5 and 2 ppm

✔ When a “borderline” result may or may not warrant treatment

✔ How to interpret a flat-line breath test

✔ Why methane may increase during the second half of the menstrual cycle

✔ SIBO, constipation, PMS, and endometriosis

✔ Why restrictive SIBO diets don’t have to be perfect to improve symptoms

✔ New evidence addressing whether breath tests actually reflect gases in the small intestine

SIBO testing is evolving, and this episode is a reminder that the number on the test is only one piece of the clinical picture. We’re talking about what the latest research tells us, where the evidence is getting stronger, and where there are still plenty of questions.

If you diagnose or treat SIBO, or you’ve ever stared at a breath test wondering, “What the hell am I supposed to do with this?” — this episode is for you.

Music provided by Blue Dot.

👋 Connect with Dr. Allison Siebecker

⁠⁠⁠https://www.siboinfo.com/⁠⁠⁠

👋 Connect with the Turds!

Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.c⁠