Low Stomach Acid Diagnosis

Submitted by Thiruvelan on 9th Apr 2013 | Last updated 4 August 2014

Low stomach has doubted, put you for a proper diagnosis. Because it can easily confuse with hyperacidity or gastric ulcer, they are extremely opposite conditions.

Low gastric acid diagnosis

Some commonly used diagnosis tests for low stomach acid are:

  • Test undigested protein in stool,
  • Burp home test,
  • Heidelberg gastric analysis test, gastro test,
  • Betaine HCL Challenge Test

One simple test for low stomach acid is to determine the amount of undigested protein in your stool.

Burp home test for low stomach acid diagnosis

Mix a teaspoon of baking soda into four to eight ounces of water. Drink it in the morning at an empty stomach before putting anything in your mouth and note down when you start burping. If you are producing enough acid, then sodium-bi-carbonate (baking soda) reacts with acid producing CO2 gas causing burp. For healthy stomach acid level, you should burp or belch similar to the drinking carbonated beverages. If you start burping within two to three minutes, you are having enough stomach acid, if burp longer than five minutes you may have low stomach acid. Additionally, people with low stomach acid may feel more fatigue after this test, to overcome this you can take a glucose drink if non-diabetic.

Heidelberg Gastric Analysis test

The Heidelberg Gastric Analysis test is the most trusted and expensive test. It usually costs around $350 and unfortunately; most insurance plans will not cover it. To undergo this test you need to swallow a capsule containing a pH meter and radio transmitter. It has followed by drinking a solution of water containing bicarbonate of soda, which should stimulate the stomach acid release. The pH meter transmits the stomach acid value, which has received by the receiver placed near your stomach. A gastro-gram is a graph, plot with your stomach pH value. After the test, it (capsule) will pass through the intestinal tract, and finally, it has excreted.

You should fast for at least 8 to 12 hours, and should not take acid suppressant for last four days.

Betaine HCL Challenge Test for Low Stomach Acid

Get your betaine HCL supplements 650 mg for adults (may be 1/2 the dose for children) from your health stores. Take this supplement in the middle of your high-protein diet (example 6 ounces of meat). If there is no change after your diet, indicates you have low stomach acid levels. On the other hand, if you are experiencing any discomfort such as heaviness, burning, or hotness indicates you have enough or high stomach acid levels.

To confirm the diagnosis you need to repeat this test on a different day. This test not totally fools proof; however, the result is acceptable largely.