Testing

Stool Test and H. pylori

Bacterial balance, digestion, inflammation markers and H. pylori antigen.

OrderedAfter consultation
ResultsRead in a separate session

Stool Test and H. pylori at iLIV Clinic Damansara Perdana

Quick Answer

A stool test looks at what is actually happening in the gut: bacterial balance, how well food is digested, and whether infection is present.

A stool test looks at what is actually happening inside your gut: bacterial balance, how well your gut digests food, signs of inflammation, and whether an infection such as H. pylori is present. It is one of the most direct tests available, because it examines the end result of digestion rather than inferring it from blood.

What we measure

The base panel looks at occult blood, faecal fat which indicates malabsorption, calprotectin as a marker of gut inflammation, pancreatic elastase for digestive enzymes, and H. pylori antigen. An extended panel adds a microbiome profile and antibiotic sensitivity once tests confirm an infection.

How to prepare for a stool test

Stop proton pump inhibitors for two weeks before H. pylori testing, because they suppress the bacteria temporarily and produce false negatives. Stop antibiotics four weeks before. However, do not stop any medication without speaking to a doctor first. Also avoid bismuth and high-dose probiotics for a week beforehand.

The details

Ordered: After consultation
Results read: Separate session
Branch: Damansara Perdana

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Interpretation

How we use the results

A positive H. pylori result leads to a treatment regimen based on current guidance, followed by confirmation testing six weeks after treatment ends. Microbiome results, meanwhile, are not read as simply good or bad. We read them alongside symptoms and diet. See the gut health pathway, or the food allergy test if symptoms track particular foods.

What it cannot do

What a stool test cannot tell you

It does not look at structure, so it cannot detect ulcers, polyps, or changes in the gut lining. If warning signs appear, such as vomiting blood, black stools, difficulty swallowing, or sudden weight loss, endoscopy is still needed and we will refer you to a gastroenterologist. Treatment guidance follows the Ministry of Health Malaysia. Book a consultation.

When you need a stool test

Bloating that persists for more than a few weeks
Diarrhoea and constipation alternating
Upper abdominal pain, early fullness, or nausea after eating
Weight loss with no clear cause
Iron or B12 deficiency that returns although you take supplements

H. pylori and why it matters in Malaysia

H. pylori is a bacterium that infects the stomach lining and links to ulcers and to long-term stomach cancer risk. Infection rates in Malaysia vary between population groups, although it is common enough to screen for whenever upper abdominal symptoms persist. The stool antigen test is non-invasive and needs no endoscopy.

Frequently Asked

Do I need to stop my gastric medication first?

Yes, proton pump inhibitors two weeks before and antibiotics four weeks before. Speak to the doctor first.

How long do results take?

Five to seven working days for the base panel.

Can this replace an endoscopy?

No. If warning signs such as vomiting blood or sudden weight loss appear, endoscopy is still needed.

Still have questions?

Send a message. We reply during clinic hours.

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iLIV

Updated 4 September 2026.
Information on this page is for general education and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Eligibility for any treatment is determined after consultation and testing.

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Start with one conversation

An initial consultation to understand your situation before any testing is recommended.

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Damansara Perdana · I-City, Shah Alam · +60 14-801 6493