Lactulose Test Results vs Day to Day Readings

Why You Can’t Compare Daily Breath Readings to a Lactulose Test

Daily breath tests and lactulose challenge tests are two very different tools—and their results aren’t directly comparable.

A lactulose test is done while fasting. You drink a synthetic sugar, and your gut’s response is measured in a clean, controlled setting. This helps identify specific fermentation patterns, but it doesn’t reflect how your gut behaves in real life.

Daily breath readings, on the other hand, happen during your normal routine—while eating real food, digesting at different rates, and with gas and fluids already in your system. These readings show what’s truly happening in your gut throughout the day.

Both tests are useful, but they measure different things. One is a clinical snapshot; the other captures your real-world gut activity. It's like comparing apples and oranges—they serve different purposes.

Updated on: 31/07/2025