Heidelberg Stomach Acid Test
Hot
The Heidelberg Test is primarily used to detect various stages of hyopchlorhydria (low stomach acid) or achlorhydria (absence of stomach acid) - although it will also detect overacidity. It is important that these conditions are diagnosed as adequate stomach acid is vital for the digestion of protein and also the liberation and absorption of minerals and vitamin B12.
Typical signs of low stomach acidity include: gas, belching, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), food allergies/sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies (e.g. iron, zinc, vitamin B12), auto-immune disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, vitaligo, rosacea, and numerous others.
Treatment of low stomach acidity typically involves supplementation with betaine HCl supplements but others such as zinc can also be useful (zinc is required for the body's stomach acid production).
This test requires you to visit a clinic or lab. It is likely to be the most accurate measure of stomach acid production but the most time consuming and expensive. The test was developed at the University of Heidelberg in the city of Heidelberg, Germany. The Heidelberg test involves swallowing a pH monitoring device that transmits information about the level of acidity in your stomach back to a computer that a clinician can review. The pH monitoring device is similar in size to the average nutritional supplement capsule so is easy to swallow and nothing to worry about. The typical test procedure is as follows:
1. Fast overnight (at least 8 hours)
2. Arrive at the clinic/lab and swallow the pH monitoring capsule
3. A small electrode will be placed on your stomach to pick up signals from the capsule
4. You will be asked to recline on a bed for 30 minutes while your fasting stomach pH is measured.
5. You will then be asked to drink a sodium bicarbonate solution (or similar alkaline solution).
6. The ability of your parietal cells to secrete hydrochloric acid and the time it takes to 'reacidify' your stomach is then assessed.
5. The capsule can be removed by pulling it back out of your mouth using a small string attached to it or you can simply pass it in your next bowel movement.
6. A doctor will print a graph of the capsule's pH readings as it sat in your stomach and discuss the result with you.
The Heidelberg-capsule has been used over 30 years (mainly in research) and close to 150 clinical studies have been published.
View the very BEST Environmental Illness Videos!
1. Your Health is Governed by Your Environment | Prof. BM Hegde | TEDx Talk
2. Demystifying Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
3. Social Determinants of Health - An Introduction
Editor reviews
The test has a long history and proven track record so I have confidence in the results. As it turned out my stomach acid output was fine - in fact it was 103% of normal so definitely not a cause of my poor digestion. In hindsight and with more knowledge of medicine and my own health it is likely the CDSA showed poor digestion due to stress, which increases transit time therefore reducing the amount of time food is in contact with digestive juices. I subsequently found further evidence of fungal and bacterial dysbiosis which the CDSA had strongly indicated and this could certainly impair digestion.
As for the Heidelberg Test procedure itself I didn't find it too unpleasant. The pH monitoring capsule really is the size of a large nutritional supplement so if you're used to swallowing these you'll have no problem at all. After this you just lay back and wait while the capsule sits in your stomach sending back data. I actually had a vfersion of the test that also tests pH in the small intestine to determine bicarbonate output from the pancreas as well so I was lying on the clinic bed for about 2 hours. Testing stomach pH only takes 30-40 minutes. In either case you can just sit back and read etc.
The test is obviously not cheap as the equipment is expensive and it takes a significant amount of the doctor's time but if you have the hallmark symptoms of low stomach acid or other reason to believe it may be a problem then this test is the best way to get a definitive answer. Recommended if you can afford it.
| Overall rating | 7.0 | |
| Ease of use | 6.0 | |
| Value for money | 7.0 | |
| Usefulness of results | 8.0 | |
| Would you recommend? | 7.0 |
Reviewed by
Maff
November 10, 2009
Last updated: November 10, 2009
#1 Reviewer - View all my reviews (107)
Useful for its accuracy - expensive and time consu
I had a Heidelberg pH Test back in 2001 following a Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA). The CDSA flagged up a number of abnormal results regarding digestion and absorption so I had the Heidelberg test to help pin down the cause(s).
The test has a long history and proven track record so I have confidence in the results. As it turned out my stomach acid output was fine - in fact it was 103% of normal so definitely not a cause of my poor digestion. In hindsight and with more knowledge of medicine and my own health it is likely the CDSA showed poor digestion due to stress, which increases transit time therefore reducing the amount of time food is in contact with digestive juices. I subsequently found further evidence of fungal and bacterial dysbiosis which the CDSA had strongly indicated and this could certainly impair digestion.
As for the Heidelberg Test procedure itself I didn't find it too unpleasant. The pH monitoring capsule really is the size of a large nutritional supplement so if you're used to swallowing these you'll have no problem at all. After this you just lay back and wait while the capsule sits in your stomach sending back data. I actually had a vfersion of the test that also tests pH in the small intestine to determine bicarbonate output from the pancreas as well so I was lying on the clinic bed for about 2 hours. Testing stomach pH only takes 30-40 minutes. In either case you can just sit back and read etc.
The test is obviously not cheap as the equipment is expensive and it takes a significant amount of the doctor's time but if you have the hallmark symptoms of low stomach acid or other reason to believe it may be a problem then this test is the best way to get a definitive answer. Recommended if you can afford it.
Please Help Support EiR with a Positive Google Review!
If you like EiR and / or enoyed this content; please help us keep going by leaving a Positive Google Review:
Review EiR on Google NOW!
P.S. This is entirely secure, we collect no data other than what is freely available from Google and you can remain anonymous!
Related Articles:
Mold Testing & Sanitizer:
ADVERTISEMENT
