Blue Horizon Medicals Gut health

SIBO Breath Test

An at-home breath test that measures hydrogen and methane gas to help assess the likelihood of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), often linked to IBS-type symptoms.

  • At-home test
  • Doctor reviewed
Sample
Breath
Collection
At-home breath sample by post
Results in
5 days
Biomarkers
20
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Tests for
  • SIBO Breath Test

Test specifications

Provider
Blue Horizon Medicals
Sample type
breath
Collection method
at-home breath sample by post
Turnaround time
5 days
Biomarkers tested
20
At-home test
Yes
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Blue Horizon Medicals, of 20 in total.

  • SIBO Breath Test

About this test

This test measures hydrogen and methane in the breath, gases produced when gut bacteria ferment carbohydrates. The provider explains that unusually high levels can help assess the likelihood of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a condition often linked to symptoms commonly seen in irritable bowel syndrome such as bloating, wind and changes in bowel habit. The result is one piece of information to discuss with a doctor rather than a stand-alone answer, and it does not diagnose or rule out any condition on its own.

There is no comparison group or named peer test for this in our data, and the provider notes there are currently no comparable tests to benchmark the £180.25 price against, so we cannot say whether it is cheap or expensive relative to rivals. The test is done entirely at home: you collect breath samples by post after fasting for at least 12 hours and following a lactulose or glucose drink, with 10 samples taken at 20-minute intervals over roughly 3 hours. Results are back within 5 days.

Clinical depth scores highly here, reflecting the number of breath readings analysed. Clarity is strong too, since the listing sets out a detailed description, the sample type, turnaround and collection method, though it only names some of what is measured rather than every individual reading. Value for money is harder to judge and scores in the middle, simply because there is no comparable test yet to weigh the price against. Results are reviewed by a doctor, supporting the results and follow-up score, and being entirely at-home helps the collection convenience score even though it requires a longer sample-collection process than a simple finger-prick.

Who is it for?

This suits you if you have gut symptoms such as bloating, wind or changes in bowel habit and want to explore whether bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine could be a factor, as one piece of information to take to a GP. It requires commitment on the day: a 12-hour fast, a lactulose or glucose drink, and 10 breath samples over about 3 hours, so it suits someone who can set aside a morning for it. Because there is no comparable test in our data, we cannot point you to a cheaper or more established alternative for this specific test.

How it works

You fast for at least 12 hours, then take a lactulose or glucose drink and collect 10 breath samples by post at 20-minute intervals over about 3 hours. The samples are sent to the lab for hydrogen and methane analysis, and a doctor reviews the results before they are returned to you, typically within 5 days.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Fully at-home breath sample collection, posted to the lab
  • Detailed provider instructions covering fasting, diet and sample timing
  • Results reviewed by a doctor
  • Results back within 5 days

Cons

  • No comparable test in our data yet, so the £180.25 price cannot be benchmarked
  • Requires a 12-hour fast and roughly 3 hours to collect all 10 samples
  • A positive result needs interpreting alongside symptoms rather than as a standalone answer

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score At-home SIBO breath test with no market benchmark yet
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

This is an at-home breath test for possible small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), priced at £180.25. There are currently no comparable tests in our data to benchmark the price against. It involves a 12-hour fast and 10 breath samples over about 3 hours, with results reviewed by a doctor and returned within 5 days.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 8.0/10

    The listing publishes a detailed description, some of the biomarkers by name, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 9.6/10

    20 biomarkers, placing it in the 93rd percentile of gut health tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 8.0/10

    A breath sample you take at home, no needle; results in around 5 days, in line with or faster than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 7.0/10

    Results are reviewed by a doctor; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 7.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.2 from 395 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); trading 17+ years.

  • Value for money 6.0/10

    £180.25; no comparable tests to benchmark against yet.

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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