Helicobacter pylori
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Helicobacter pylori – a common cause of stomach symptoms

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium carried in the stomach of approximately half of the World’s population, and in 30-40% of the UK adult population. H. pylori is most often caught in early childhood, and it colonises the stomach permanently in the absence of treatment.

In many cases, H. pylori causes no serious damage to its host. However, H. pylori causes most cases of peptic ulcer disease - as opposed to the common belief, stress alone does not cause the disease. Also, if the bacteria has colonised the stomach for a long time - decades – it can slowly damage the stomach’s mucosal lining, causing a condition called atrophic gastritis. Atrophic gastritis can cause disturbances in the absorbance of certain nutrients and medications, which may result in deficiency of important nutrients such as Vitamin B12, iron and calcium. It also increases the risk of stomach cancer.

You may want to get tested for H. pylori infection if you have stomach symptoms. It is worth noting, however, that the infection is often asymptomatic.

H. pylori infection is fully treatable. In case you have a positive test result, you should see your doctor to discuss the options available to you.

The Lab21 H. pylori test measures antibodies against H. pylori, and it only requires a fingerprick blood sample, which can be taken in the comfort of your own home using the Lab21 Sample Collection Kit. This kit is also used to send the sample back to Lab21 with free postage. H. pylori testing can also be performed on a venous blood sample. You will receive results within 5 working days from sample receipt at Lab21.

Please note that if you have been tested positive for H. pylori before and treated, please note that it can take several years for H. pylori antibody levels to reduce to normal levels even following successful treatment.

Stomach symptoms may also be caused by Food Intolerance. Please see the Lab21 FoodCheck website for more information. FoodCheck tests can be performed on the same fingerprick blood sample as the H. pylori test.