A simple, highly accurate blood test to measure antibodies to Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori), a common type of bacteria that infects your stomach, weakening the lining and causing peptic ulcers and other gastrointestinal conditions. For some people, an infection can lead to stomach cancer or other gastrointestinal conditions.

Most people don’t realize they have an H. pylori infection because they never get sick from it.

Why take this test?To check for the presence of Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) bacteria in your stomach, which if left untreated can cause stomach cancer. Many people don’t realize they have an H. pylori infection because they never get sick from it.What is H. Pylori?Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori), a common type of bacteria that is contagious and can be passed from person to person through direct contact of saliva, vomit or stool. It can also be passed through contaminated food or water. The bacteria enters your stomach and attacks the lining, causing painful peptic ulcers. 

Symptoms of H. pylori:If you have severe ongoing stomach pain, bloody or black tarry stools or vomit – you should visit a doctor right away.Symptoms from an infection include:
• An ache or burning pain in your stomach (abdomen)
• Stomach pain that get be worse even when you haven’t eaten anything, or your stomach is empty.
• Feeling of nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Frequent burping or bloating in the stomach
• Unexplained weight lossHow does the test work?The simple blood test measures antibodies to H. pylori.  

Antibodies are proteins made by your body’s immune system, which occur when it detects the presence of harmful  bacteria to help fight off the illness. A presence of antibodies to H. pylori means you either are currently infected or have been infected in the past. The test cannot tell how long you have had the infection for.How to prepare:In general, there’s nothing you have to do before the H. pylori blood test, unless otherwise stated by a doctor.