EP 17 | The Great SIBO Breath Test Debate: How to Prep, Interpret Your Results, and Look at the Bigger Picture with Dr. Patrick Fratellone

SIBO breath testing has been the subject of some pushback in the wider medical community. Today’s episode discusses some of the controversy around the effectiveness of breath testing, when it’s worth doing, how to make sure your results are accurate, and what other tests might be better at getting to the bottom of your gut issues.

Joining me is Dr. Patrick Fratellone, a functional cardiologist and herbalist who used to practice with the late Dr. Robert C. Atkins. He takes us through how he does his gut detective work as a functional medicine doctor, including what comprehensive tests on genetics, vitamin levels and intestinal permeability can tell you about your bigger gut picture.

If you’re someone who’s been debating whether or not to get a breath test for SIBO, this episode might help you weigh that decision.

A quick taste of what we’ll cover:

• Whether doing a SIBO breath test is worth your time, money and energy
• What other tests are necessary to determine how your small intestine is functioning
• Why vitamin D levels are great indicators of your gut health
• How Dr. Fratellone goes through his process of elimination (hint: SIBO is not the first condition to rule out)
• MTHFR genes and what they tell you about your health picture, including SIBO
• Genetic origins of IBS and how to test for them
• Candida versus SIBO: how to tell the difference
• Testing for leaky gut / intestinal permeability and why it’s important
• How to prepare properly for a SIBO breath test so your results are accurate
• IGG reactivity testing and what it actually tells you

Resources, mentions and notes:

• Where to find Dr. Patrick Fratellone
• Genova Diagnostics Digestive Stool Analysis 
• Thorne Onegevity Stool Test
• 3-Hour Lactulose Breath Test for SIBO
• Intestinal permeability test for leaky gut 
• Leaky gut treatment: liquid vitamin D + powdered L-glutamine
• Viome microbiome kits
• IgG reactivity testing
• Become a recipe tester for the SIBO Made Simple BOOK!!
• Join the SIBO Made Simple Facebook Community Page
• Subscribe to receive a free download of the episode transcript

This episode is brought to you by Epicured, a low FODMAP meal delivery service that understands that food is medicine. Each menu is created by Michelin star chefs and honed by doctors and dieticians at mount sinaii to restore digestive health for those with IBS, SIBO, Celiac and IBD. Everything they serve is 100 percent low FODMAP and gluten-free, with no cooking required! My favorite part about their dishes is the healthy spin on takeout gems like shrimp laksa and PAD THAI! Their version had a great balance of fresh veggies mixed in with the noodles that left me feeling both satisfied and completely free of my usual carb coma. Listeners to this podcast can get 20% off their order by using code SIBOMADESIMPLE. Just click here to learn more.