Negative colonoscopy, high calprotectin, then a SIBO breath test — I’m not sure what step should come next
Current status
Still struggling- Still struggling
- Somewhat resolved
- Mostly resolved
- Fully resolved
The story
Bullet points of my journey:
ABOUT ME: - 29 y/o, F - Asian - Adopted (no known genetic concerns)
OVERVIEW: - Estimated ongoing issues for ~ 3 years. I didn’t realize or understand that what I was going through wasn’t normal and that something changed in my gut. - Consistent symptoms in order of most problematic: Bloating (after everything, even water), foul smelling gas, mixed bowel movements, fatigue, some nausea and acid reflux (very minor)
TIMELINE
Fall 2025 - Negative H pylori breath test - Stool test had high calprotectin levels at 268 µg/g - From the stool test results dr wanted a colonoscopy, results were negative/clear
I felt frustrated and stopped looking into this/was busy with life and getting married.
Fall 2026 - Back at it again with more determination to figure this out - SIBO lactulose breath test, high hydrogen levels. 55 ppm at 120 minute mark. See image. - Take half a cap of myralax to help make me less constipated - Prescribed Rifaximin for 14 days. - My dr does not suggest any other supplements or anything else. - Post antibiotics my dr wants another stool test to see my calrprotectin levels. She noted that SIBO and calprotectin are not related.
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Symptoms
Tests & diagnoses
Treatments
Each treatment this contributor tried, in the order that mattered, with their own reported result. The ones marked with a trophy are the treatments they credit as decisive.
Prescribed for 14 days after SIBO lactulose breath test with high hydrogen levels; outcome not yet reported.
This is one person's reported experience aggregated by GutPattern, not clinical advice, a treatment protocol, or a diagnosis. What helped one contributor can do nothing — or harm — for someone with a different underlying cause. Sudden, severe, bloody, feverish, or worsening symptoms belong with medical care. Always discuss care decisions with a qualified clinician.
2 comments
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Sign in to replyCalprotectin is generally used as an indicator for IBD. If your colonoscopy came back clear, you should be okay for a while. Keep watching out for symptoms of inflammation, and get regular colonoscopies to make sure the bowel isn't becoming diseases without you knowing it. Treat the sibo with the correct mixture of antibiotics and then START A PROKINETIC AFTER TREATING YOUR SIBO. thats one of the most important things you can do. It helps keep motility moving and prevents a relapse. The gold standard is motegrity. Your GI doc should be happy to prescribe this for you.
I'm sorry you're going through this. I'm also younger and having difficulties. It's not fun.