Helicobacter Forums

I am a bit confused so I'd like to clarify something

I am planning to get my test done post-treatment, I think doc said something about stool PCR test?

I could not find a lot of information about this testing method, as I think it is something different from a traditional stool test so any help is appreciated

Am I better off just doing a breath test?

PCR is not a recommended test as there may be false positive or negative result.

your country has no access to breath test or stool antigen test?

I can do either, hence my confusion.

I suppose she might think that PCR tests are more "cutting edge" or something, I don't know.

I guess I'll do a breath test and then do PCR test afterward IF she keeps insisting on it.

look forward to hearing your breath test result. Try to get the raw data.. like dpm (for C14) or % ( for C13).

the higher the value, the more "accurate" the result is.

My GP is only using the stool PCR test too. They told me a similar thing that is a good indicator. I suppose they have found it twice with it. They won't offer me any other types of tests.

However I did come across this study:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28515219/

Also halfway down a lot of information about breath tests and stool PCR tests
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2446/

Extract from above:

Overall, studies using pretreatment stool H. pylori antigen tests have shown that the sensitivity and specificity of stool antigen testing were comparable to histology or UBT

However I'm not sure if things have changed, or unaware of. I am just going by these articles

yea.. the thing is the DNA is the stool is too complex.
Too many organism and H. pylori DNA may be too fragmented.
So stool PCR test for H. pylori has always been difficult.
There may be some novel ways of improving the testing, like the article that you shared. But is the test that you have received, the same one you shared in the article? are you able to get the brand of the test kit so we can investigate the accuracy?

Nevertheless, are you able to get second opinion from different doctors?

To all those questions no, the General Practitioners in London aren't that great and not a lot of information is given. It's hard enough getting a appointment let alone a test done. I think the only way to improve things would be to go private, or a specialist department