Persistently High Methane Levels

Persistently High Methane Levels

If you purchased an AIRE 2 to figure out what's causing your bothersome digestive symptoms—but haven’t received a formal medical diagnosis for conditions like IBS — you may have already uncovered valuable insights about your personal food triggers and intolerances.

For some users, monitoring daily breath readings reveals persistently elevated methane levels. While this can feel confusing or even discouraging, remember: these readings are giving you new information about your gut that wasn’t accessible before.

Let’s explore what that means and what you can do next.

Understanding Methane Readings

Before AIRE 2, there was no way to monitor day-to-day methane levels — so you’re helping to chart new territory for yourself and for science.

What we do know:

• Methane levels tend to be less influenced by diet than hydrogen levels.
• Some users see changes in methane after eating certain foods, but others notice little difference.
• Eating low-FODMAP can sometimes cause methane levels to rise— though this isn’t fully understood yet.

💡 If your levels seem puzzling, you’re not alone. Many people find methane harder to interpret than hydrogen, which is why consistent logging is so valuable.

🔗 Read about foods that may help with methane

Can I Still Do Food Intolerance Tests?

Yes! You can complete FODMAP Challenges even with a high baseline methane reading. Methane levels often remain relatively stable throughout FODMAP challenges.

However:

• Do not proceed with a test if your hydrogen levels are above 3.
• Hydrogen tends to respond more to dietary changes making it a great gas for assessing intolerances.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Reflecting on your data can help you decide on your next step:

• Have you been tracking your fermentation levels for some time without seeing dietary changes affect your methane levels?
• Did you complete any FODMAP Challenges despite high baseline methane?
• Are your symptoms still disruptive to daily life?

When to Seek Medical Advice

If your methane levels remain high and your symptoms persist despite FODMAP adjustments, it could be time to consult a qualified healthcare practitioner. They can help:

• Identify possible causes
• Offer treatment options
• Support you in improving your quality of life

👉 Remember, you don’t need to navigate this alone.

Need personalised support?

The FoodMarble Healthcare team can get you connected with a suitable practitioner who understands digestive health and can help you make sense of your symptoms and results - Reach out at healthcare@foodmarble.com

Keep Tracking

Continue logging your methane (and hydrogen) readings during any treatment. Even if progress feels slow, your logs provide a record that helps you and your healthcare provider see what’s changing and what’s not.

💬 Need help? Contact our team at hello@foodmarble.com - we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Updated on: 01/09/2025