14 SIBO Symptoms Explained + What to do About Them

14 SIBO Symptoms Explained + What to do About Them

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Evidence-Based

SIBO, short for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, may be one of the most common gastrointestinal issues you’ve never heard about. 

SIBO refers to an overgrowth of bacteria (often accompanied by fungal overgrowth as well) that causes a multitude of both intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms.

Symptoms range from depression to weight gain and fatigue – they all may be associated with changes to the microflora of your intestinal tract.

But is it common? Take a look at these studies…

SIBO has been detected in as many as 50% of patients taking acid-blocking drugs (1).

It is estimated that up to 50% of hypothyroid patients deal with SIBO in some form (2).

Somewhere between 4% and 78% (depending on the study) (3) of patients with IBS actually have SIBO.

​Bottom line?

We aren’t talking about a small number of people here, we are talking about a huge portion of the population. 

If you are struggling with any GI-related symptoms then read this list of SIBO symptoms to help you determine if you need further testing. ​

The Complete List of SIBO Symptoms

The hallmark of SIBO is the overgrowth of bacteria that occurs in the small intestines. 

Let’s reflect on basic gastrointestinal anatomy:

Your small intestines consist of the duodenum, the ileum, and the jejunum. These sections of the small intestines are primarily responsible for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, foods, and supplements/hormones that you are taking by mouth.

This should be compared to the large intestine which consists of the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid and rectum. 

graph showing hydrogen in ppm over time in a patient with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

The primary function of the large intestines is to absorb water and nutrients (Biotin, Vitamin K, etc.) which are created by colonic bacteria from the fermentation of food. 

Under normal circumstances, your large intestines should have significantly more bacteria than your small intestines.

So what’s the big deal with SIBO?

As the name implies, this condition results in excessive bacteria (both good and bad forms) in the small intestines.

This change in bacterial concentration causes several issues and symptoms as the bacterial concentration interfere with immune function, fermentation of food, absorption of nutrients, and inflammation locally (4).

All of the changes listed above result in various symptoms that can be assessed clinically (and you can test for it as well, but more on that later). 

So let’s dive into what kind of symptoms you may present with if you have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in your body. 

#1. Severe Gas and Bloating – Especially after meals

​The first and probably the most prominent symptom is extreme gas and bloating. 

This gas and bloating is often associated with abdominal distention (your belly protruding) and seems to occur around 30-60 minutes after you consume a meal.

Why?

Well, it takes about 30-60 minutes for your food to enter from your stomach into the small intestines.

Once that food hits the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestines, these bacteria cause excessive fermentation and breakdown of the food which results in the production of various gases.

a diagram showing 11 different causes of abdominal distention and abdominal bloating.

Gases such as methane and hydrogen in high amounts can cause significant problems with the movement and kinetics of your bowels. 

For instance:

Methane gas has been shown to reduce the kinetics of your small intestines and bowels which may cause severe constipation. ​

The gas production is only part of the reason why patients with SIBO present with gas/bloating and distention, however.

In fact, some studies have shown that there are no fewer than 11 reasons why patients with SIBO may have gas and bloating: 

  • ​Excessive gas production or general GI gas accumulation
  • Visceral Hypersensitivity
  • Abnormal Visceral reflexes
  • Constipation/hard stools
  • Altered motility
  • CNS-ENS dysregulation and psychological factors
  • Gender and/or sex hormones
  • Food sensitivities and food intolerance
  • Mucosal immune activation
  • Abnormal visceral-somatic reflexes
  • Altered gut flora or abnormal colonic fermentation

The point here is that there might be MANY reasons for your gas and bloating, but the common denominator is that they are all caused by the changes that occur secondary to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. 

Luckily, these symptoms tend to subside with proper eradication of bacteria (and usually fungal overgrowth which often accompanies SIBO). 

#2. Constipation or Diarrhea

It is never normal to have constipation or diarrhea, especially if these occur on a frequent basis (weekly or even monthly). 

Changes in your stool often reflect changes to your hormone levels (thyroid hormone), stress levels, autonomic nervous system activity, and colonic/intestinal bacterial concentrations.

​The point is this:

​If you are dealing with chronic constipation or diarrhea you need further assessment to figure out what is causing it. 

That’s where SIBO enters the game.

SIBO most commonly presents with chronic, extreme, and persistent constipation (usually Bristol Type I stools). ​

​We know that the consistency of stool is influenced heavily by the transit time (or time your stool spends in the GI tract) of your intestinal tract. 

This refers to the automatic and rhythmic ​peristalsis that occurs in your GI tract at all times. 

If your GI tract is moving slower than normal then you will have constipation.

If your GI tract is moving quickly then you will have diarrhea. It’s fairly simple.

The problem with SIBO is that the intestinal bacteria excessively produce methane gas, and methanogenic bacteria have been linked to chronic constipation in both IBS and SIBO patients. ​

two graphs showing the effect of rifaximin on stool form and frequency as well as corresponding methane levels.

Methane gas seems to have a paralytic effect on your intestinal tract which acts to seriously slow down transit time. 

The good news is that treating bacterial overgrowth may result in significant improvement and normalization of stooling patterns over time.

Case studies (and indeed this is true of my practice) suggest that eliminating bacterial overgrowth will increase stool transit time and significantly reduce constipation (5).

It’s also worth mentioning that not all forms of SIBO are created equal in how they interfere with GI function.

Some hydrogen predominant forms of SIBO may actually cause significant diarrhea, instead of constipation.

The point is still the same:

Treating the overgrowth will improve stooling patterns.

However, your treatment should consist of much more than just antibiotics to reduce bacterial concentration.

You can also use certain supplements to reduce constipation and improve the elimination of bacterial load from your colon and intestines:

  • Magnesium Citrate – Magnesium citrate will help reduce constipation while simultaneously replacing any magnesium deficiency in your body. To treat constipation you may need anywhere from 200mg to 2,000mg per day. 
  • Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate) – Higher doses of Vitamin C can be combined with magnesium citrate to empty your bowels in a hurry. Use anywhere from 2,000mg to 5,000mg per day. 
  • Prokinetics like Iberogast – Iberogast is a combination of 9 herbs that promote gastric emptying and improve intestinal transit time which can help treat constipation (but in a different way than magnesium and vitamin C). 

For best results, you will want to combine at least 2 of the 3 supplements together. 

#3. Autoimmune Disease

Believe it or not, autoimmune disease may be a direct result of dysbiosis in the gut, and that includes dysbiosis from SIBO. 

Studies have elaborated on the etiology of autoimmune disease and while it is complicated, there seems to be a significant connection between the development of autoimmune disease and intestinal dysfunction (6).

a diagram detailing three triggers of autoimmune disease: genetics, environmental factors, and gut dysbiosis.

​Autoimmune disease may result from GI dysfunction in several ways:

  • Molecular Mimicry (7) – Absorption of various products including undigested food products and bacteria may look similar enough to target tissues in your body which your immune system may react to and trigger autoimmune disease. 
  • Intestinal inflammation and increased intestinal permeability – Local inflammation in the GI tract (like that caused by SIBO) can weaken the intestinal lining and fidelity of the intestinal lining leading to increased intestinal permeability. This cascade of symptoms is known as “Leaky gut” (8) and may be the first step in developing and triggering autoimmune disease. 
  • Changes to immune function mediated through mucosal immunity (9) – The epithelial cells of the GI tract have a specialized function that act to promote, change and influence immune function in the body. Changes to the epithelial cells may reduce the function that mucosal immunity plays in the entire body, thus leading to an increase in autoimmunity. 
two figures showing the gut lining and how gut dysfunction increases risk of autoimmune disease.

Not every case of autoimmune disease starts in the gut, but if you have a history of autoimmune disease AND you have GI symptoms then it’s a very good idea to be evaluated for SIBO or other GI-related issues. 

​It’s also worth pointing out that most cases of autoimmune disease are caused by a combination of GI dysfunction (intestinal dysbiosis), and environmental factors which occur in the setting of certain and specific genetic patterns. 

Usually, you need to have 2 or 3 of these factors all occurring simultaneously to trigger autoimmune disease.

The following list of autoimmune diseases that may be triggered through changes in GI function and dysbiosis:

  • Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
  • Graves’ Disease
  • Type I Diabetes
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

So what do you do if you think SIBO is playing a role in your autoimmune disease?

Obviously, this is a complex topic but there are several simple steps you should take as soon as possible: 

  • Assess your Vitamin D level and treat if low – Vitamin D plays an important role in immune function and low levels have been linked with the development of autoimmune disease. Replacing Vitamin D levels may help but you need to make sure you use vitamin D3 (not D2). Aim to get your levels to the mid-range of the reference range (too much may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease). I have yet to find a person with “normal” Vitamin D levels in their serum, so this deficiency is VERY common. 
  • Take immune-boosting supplements like zinc – Zinc also plays an important role in immunity. In addition, and probably more importantly, many patients even in the US are zinc deficient. Taking zinc if you are deficient will improve immunity, but taking zinc if you have normal levels already will not.
  • Consider using Beta glucans – Beta-glucans are naturally occurring sugars from pathogenic bacteria in your GI tract. The use of beta-glucans is meant to stimulate your immune system to help it “remember” the bad guys and differentiate them from the “good” guys. Studies have shown that taking beta-glucans stimulates the complement system (10) (part of your immune system) which may help improve overall immune function. 

#4. Nausea

Many, but not all, patients with SIBO present with some degree of nausea.

The mechanism for this symptom seems to be related to the paralytic effect that SIBO has on your bowels, including your stomach.

When your stomach slows down emptying this is known as delayed gastric emptying.

Delayed gastric emptying leads to the filling of your stomach with stomach acid which may cause your stomach to expand and trigger the nausea reflex through the vagus nerve.

In addition to that delayed gastric emptying may lead to and exacerbate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn. 

The main way to reduce the symptom of nausea is to increase gastric emptying with the use of prokinetics (see Iberogast above). ​

#5. Acid Reflux

The presence of gastric esophageal reflux is never a normal symptom, but more importantly, the treatment with acid-reducing drugs may actually CAUSE or WORSEN SIBO.

If you recall the study I cited above you will remember that approximately 50% of patients taking acid-blocking medications test positive for SIBO.

Why does this happen?

The creation of acid is actually required (and healthy) for the assimilation and breakdown of food products to properly absorb nutrients.

Acid produced in the stomach also enters the duodenum and helps set the pH at which certain bacteria thrive.

Lowering the production of stomach acid causes an increase in the pH of the upper intestines which changes the environment and may allow for certain species of bacteria to grow in abundance. ​

Patients taking acid-blocking drugs have been shown to have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis (11), developing a different kind of colonic dysbiosis known as Clostridium difficile colitis (12), and developing nutrient deficiencies (13) from the reduction in stomach acid production. 

​Moral of the story?

Not only can SIBO cause acid reflux, but taking drugs to reduce stomach acid can also trigger and promote the development of SIBO.

Acid-blocking drugs that may cause and/or exacerbate SIBO include:

  • Prilosec (over-the-counter)
  • Nexium
  • Protonix
  • Zegerid
  • Aciphex
  • Dexilant

​If you are taking any medication that blocks stomach acid (proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers) then stopping this medication and treating the root cause of your acid reflux should be your next step. 

#6. Symptoms Consistent with IBS

I mentioned previously that anywhere from 4% to 78% of patients with diagnosed IBS also have existing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

Why the large disparity between percentages in the studies?

In many cases, it seems that the IBS is actually caused by SIBO (14) and has simply been misdiagnosed as IBS.

This is really important because there really isn’t a good treatment for IBS aside from treating the underlying cause of the irritable bowel.

SIBO provides an accurate diagnosis and a legitimate cause of many of the symptoms of IBS.

What’s more interesting is that many of the symptoms of IBS coincide exactly with SIBO, further solidifying the idea that many cases of IBS are actually SIBO in disguise.

See a list of SIBO symptoms and IBS symptoms side by side:

IBS symptoms (source) (15)

  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Alternating Constipation/Diarrhea
  • Bowel movements that are uncontrollably urgent, difficult to pass, or incomplete
  • Clear or white mucus in the stool
  • Bowel movements that relieve pain or discomfort
  • Change in stool frequency or consistency day to day
  • Visual change in stool over time

SIBO symptoms (source) (16)

  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain or cramping
  • Constipation
  • Existing diagnosis of IBS or IBD
  • Coexisting food intolerance
  • Existing chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome
  • B12 or iron deficiency
  • Fat malabsorption

As you will notice the symptoms don’t match up perfectly, and that’s okay. 

This just indicates that SOME cases (not all) of IBS may be related to or caused by SIBO.

The bottom line is that if you have the symptoms of IBS or a known diagnosis of IBS then you should certainly be evaluated for SIBO.

Why?

Because correctly diagnosing and treating your condition may actually relieve or eliminate the symptoms of IBS (17).

#7. Abdominal Pain and/or Abdominal Cramps

Abdominal pain in SIBO likely stems from the combination of cramping, gas, bloating, and constipation.

As your intestines fill with gas they begin to cramp which presents as abdominal pain.

And this pain can be quite severe.

The same mechanism occurs with chronic constipation.

As your bowels distend, cramping can become very severe, which may land the occasional patient in the emergency department (this happens probably more than you think). ​

Not all patients present with abdominal pain, but instead with general discomfort. 

This discomfort may be felt after meals, while eating, or generally throughout the day.

Sometimes, when abdominal pain is severe, patients may be diagnosed with a condition known as “functional abdominal pain”.

Generally, this condition is meant to imply that the gastrointestinal system is technically “working” but patients still have pain of unknown origin. 

If you suffer from abdominal pain or have a known diagnosis of functional abdominal pain then you should be tested for SIBO. ​

#8. Digestive Issues

Digestive issues in patients with SIBO usually result from the change in the environment in the GI tract related to the changes in bacterial concentration.

In addition, patients with SIBO may suffer from low stomach acid which further worsens digestive capacity and efficiency in the body.

Digestive issues may present in the following ways:

  • Acid reflux
  • Delayed gastric emptying
  • Malabsorption of fat
  • Malabsorption of nutrients
  • Upper abdominal pain (epigastric pain)

Improving digestive capacity in SIBO may be accomplished by treating the bacterial overgrowth and by supplementing with pepsin/HCl or other digestive enzymes.

Digestive enzymes can assist pancreatic enzymes in the breakdown of food products and reduce the “digestive load” that your body must take care of with meals.

In addition, another approach to reducing this digestive load is to mechanically break down your food prior to ingestion.

You can do this by juicing or by blending your food prior to consumption.

This mechanical change alters cell walls and improves absorption time and eases the burden of your body to break down food.

This can be done for a period of time (30-60 days) during the treatment of SIBO. 

I recommend using this digestive enzyme 15 minutes prior to each meal and again in between meals. ​

In addition, you may want to consider a juicer to mechanically help break down the cell walls of fruits/vegetables to ease absorption (1 juice per day).

#9. Malabsorption of Nutrients & Minerals

Nutrient deficiencies are CAUSED by SIBO, but they aren’t necessarily a “symptom”. 

Instead, each deficiency that you have may cause various symptoms relating to the function of that nutrient/mineral.

Nutrient deficiencies, in general, are quite common among SIBO patients (18) (some more than others depending on the severity of the overgrowth).

If you have a known diagnosis of SIBO, or if you have known nutrient deficiencies of unknown cause, then you should be evaluated/treated for SIBO.

I’ve included the most common deficiencies that SIBO can cause below: ​

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency -> B12 deficiency is common among the general population of the US with some estimates putting it as high as 40%. Taking sublingual or oral preparations of B12 may be insufficient to replace cellular B12 levels unless bacterial levels are normalized. Instead, taking B12 injections/shots may be superior to oral formulations of B12. 
  • Iron deficiency -> Most cases of iron deficiency in SIBO patients are NOT accompanied by anemia. Instead, you may simply have suboptimal iron and ferritin levels which can contribute to symptoms such as hair loss, exercise intolerance, and low energy. Check your serum ferritin (which should be > 50) and use liquid iron for the best absorption
  • Vitamin A (fat-soluble) -> Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that may become deficient in your body if you experience changes to bile function and/or pancreatic lipase function. Vitamin A deficiency may cause acne (common among SIBO patients) and other skin issues. Replacement with liquid Vitamin A should rapidly improve symptoms. Use up to 5 drops per day of liquid Vitamin A for 30-60 days. 
  • Vitamin D (fat-soluble) -> We’ve already discussed the benefits of replacing Vitamin D previously so I won’t go over it here again, please see the dosing recommendations above. 
  • Mineral deficiencies -> The most common minerals in the body include magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and calcium. In SIBO magnesium deficiency is bar far the most common mineral deficiency that I see among patients. You can check serum magnesium levels and RBC magnesium to assess the magnesium status in your body. When in doubt replacement with magnesium is generally very safe and effective. Put preference on magnesium citrate (if you have constipation) or magnesium glycinate for superior absorption. 200-400mg per day is generally sufficient to see improvement. 

#10. Gut Inflammation and Systemic Inflammation

Gut inflammation is a consequence of local changes to bacterial concentration (the hallmark of SIBO). 

Gut inflammation results in increased intestinal permeability, reduction in the integrity of the mucosal lining, changes to immune function, nutrient deficiencies, and malabsorption of fat.

We’ve discussed the consequences of such inflammation in previous sections of this post.

But what about systemic inflammation?

Systemic inflammation refers to inflammation that is present in your entire body and inflammation that can be measured using serum systemic markers such as CRP and ESR.

Systemic inflammation is generally a consequence of LPS (19) (lipopolysaccharide) that is absorbed into the systemic circulation. 

LPS ​is an endotoxin and outer portion of certain bacteria which exists in your GI tract. When absorbed LPS has potent effects inside the body and can stimulate your immune system. 

Normally LPS should not be absorbed, so absorption of LPS indicates a structural problem in the GI tract.

SIBO causes local intestinal inflammation which may weaken the integrity of the intestinal lining and allow for LPS absorption into the body.

The problem with systemic inflammation is that it may lead to various systemic issues such as fatigue, weight gain, and other hormone imbalances. 

#11. Weight Gain (Sometimes Weight Loss)

Weight changes in SIBO come in two varieties:

  • Weight gain (generally due to hormonal changes as a consequence of systemic inflammation)
  • Weight loss (generally caused by ​damage to the intestinal lining which results in decreased absorption of food and nutrients)

If you experience weight gain as a consequence of SIBO will treating SIBO help normalize your weight?

In some cases, it may help with weight reduction, but in most cases treating SIBO will be insufficient to completely normalize your weight.

The main issue is that hormone imbalances created as a consequence of SIBO usually do not completely normalize after treatment, instead, they may require additional treatment and/or management.

Weight gain, on the other hand, usually does occur once the intestinal concentration of bacteria has been improved. ​

#12. Acne, Rosacea, Eczema, and Other Skin Issues

​It is well-known and established that changes in the gastrointestinal tract are associated with skin changes – most notably acne. 

This connection has been named the gut-brain-skin axis (20) and was proposed over 70 years ago when scientists found that many patients with mood disorders also exhibited co-existent skin conditions. 

This connection is also frequently documented in patients with SIBO.

The exact mechanism behind why this is the case is not entirely clear but is felt to work something like this: 

a schematic detailing the connection between food consumption, gut health, and brain health.
  • Altered mood causes changes in appetite, neurotransmitter levels, and motility of the GI tract.
  • Refined and processed foods cause direct damage to the intestinal lining. Meanwhile, changes in neurotransmitter levels change the kinetics of the bowel (predisposing to SIBO and fungal overgrowth). 
  • Damage to the intestinal lining occurs from these changes resulting in a burden of local and systemic inflammation, substance P from endotoxemia. 
  • Genetically susceptible patients then experience an increase in sebum production resulting in skin inflammation, acne, and/or rosacea. 
  • Changes to skin and aesthetics then trigger anxiety, depression, and other mood changes which start the cycle all over again. 

So how do you break this cycle?

Studies have shown that taking antibiotics (herbal or prescription) when combined with probiotics can help improve intestinal integrity while reducing skin conditions and acne.

​These changes may not be sufficient for everyone, however, especially considering that acne is often multifactorial. 

You can learn more about treating hormonal acne in my complete guide here. ​

#13. Fatigue or Low Energy

​The exact mechanism behind how and why SIBO results in fatigue or changes to energy levels is not well understood. 

In my practice and treatment of SIBO I’ve narrowed it down to 3 main areas:

  • Reduction in energy production and efficiency in mitochondria (likely LPS-induced damage (21))
  • Nutrient deficiencies, specifically vitamin B12 deficiency (or simply suboptimal B12 levels)
  • Hormone imbalances, specifically stress-related cortisol changes

The bottom line is that treating SIBO with antibiotics, prebiotics, and probiotics tends to partially improve energy levels but not back to normal levels. 

The other half of the equation seems to be related to hormone imbalances and nutrient deficiencies that must also be addressed.

If you still experience fatigue after treatment or eradication of SIBO make sure to evaluate your serum cortisol and thyroid levels which can both contribute to energy production.

In addition, you might find the benefit of using supplements designed to improve mitochondrial function and efficiency (CoQ10 and Alpha lipoic acid work well).

#14. ​Mood Changes (Depression, Anxiety, Irritability)

Lastly, many patients with SIBO seem to present with neurological, mood, or behavioral symptoms.

Depression, anxiety, and panic attacks are particularly common among patients with SIBO and IBS.

We know that the connection between the brain and the gut not only exists but is bi-directional. 

Put in simple terms:

Changes to your gut may cause changes to your brain and vice versa. 

It has also been shown that microbes (bacteria) in the GI tract play an important role in the metabolism of both tryptophan and serotonin (22).

a schematic showing how emotion and stress trigger a cascade of changes that ultimately influence gut health and intestinal permeability.

Changes to either or both of these neurotransmitters play a role in the development (or potentiation) of mood disorders seen in patients with SIBO and other GI issues. 

This organic cause of behavioral changes needs to be differentiated from circumstantial depression that may be caused by the constant stress and reduction in the quality of life that SIBO patients tend to experience. 

In the latter setting, symptomatic improvement may result in the complete resolution of mood changes.

In the former, treatment with supplements and/or medications may be necessary in addition to the eradication and normalization of intestinal bacteria. ​

Your Next Steps

Hopefully, this guide and symptom list serve as a solid starting point in helping you manage your GI symptoms. 

If you experience at least 3 of the symptoms listed above then your next step should be proper evaluation via a SIBO breath test.

This test isn’t perfect, but it will serve as a starting point to get you on the right track.

If you have a known diagnosis of hypothyroidism (meaning you are being treated with thyroid hormone) and you have 3+ symptoms listed above, then I generally recommend a trial of treatment prior to testing.

But the diagnosis is really just the beginning…

Treating SIBO may range from easy (about 30% of the time) to extremely difficult to eradicate (about 20-25% of the time).

Because of the difficulty and variability in the treatment of SIBO I have put together an 8-step comprehensive guide to get you started

You can see the entire guide here.

I will also provide a general outline of what is necessary below:

  • #1. Dietary changes
  • #2. Probiotics
  • #3. Antibiotics
  • #4. Herbal antibiotics and supplements
  • #5. Prokinetics
  • #6. Fermented foods
  • #7. Prebiotics
  • #8. Intermittent Fasting

​Now I want to hear from you:

Are you suffering from the symptoms of SIBO? Have you been able to get proper testing?

Have you been able to see improvement in your symptoms with treatment?

Leave your comments below! ​

#1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20060064

#2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4056127/

#3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3949258/

#4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2890937/

#5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3093012/

#6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4036413/

#7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3266166/

#8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22109896

#9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4036413/

#10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17895634

#11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27224743

#12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25730198

#13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4110863/

#14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3949258/

#15. http://www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/symptoms-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs

#16. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/212861-clinical?pa=R%2BKcf3mtVLs5m43x8ADUkgfsgQKRGT0v1SpIuTceUkA%2BlfzptJJpMPfOMaeqFGAtLCEJNCrbkqLWYvqLrhntWA%3D%3D

#17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099351/

#18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099351/

#19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257638/

#20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038963/

#21. http://www.jbc.org/content/278/42/41510.full

#22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25078296

warning signs that you have SIBO pinterest image.

picture of westin childs D.O. standing

About Dr. Westin Childs

Hey! I'm Westin Childs D.O. (former Osteopathic Physician). I don't practice medicine anymore and instead specialize in helping people like YOU who have thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, and weight loss resistance. I love to write and share what I've learned over the years. I also happen to formulate the best supplements on the market (well, at least in my opinion!) and I'm proud to say that over 80,000+ people have used them over the last 7 years. You can read more about my own personal health journey and why I am so passionate about what I do.

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65 thoughts on “14 SIBO Symptoms Explained + What to do About Them”

  1. I too have figured out no sugar no gluten no fake foods! Trying AIP diet hoping my bulging eye would calm down, but not yet! Now no nightshade veggies so I’m willing to do whatever. I’m in better health now than yrs of doctor after doctor. Yes need to drop some weight but I am very active after months on lean protein all veggies only lost 3lbs! Use to this now but at least I have figured my sensitivity foods! What else can I research?? Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Hi Dr Child’s ,

    I was recently diagnosed with SIBO after years of suffering, by my gastroenterologist on July 28, 2017.! He prescribed Dr Browns treatment of a 10 day course of Atrantil and Xyfaxin and now Erythomiacin at night. Since beginning the treatment I have gained 8 pounds. The pain in my gut is almost gone and I am becoming more regular. The weight gain is really really frustrating me. My question is will my weight balance out? Additionally, I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and take liothyrinine. I also have been parimenopausal for the past 4 years and began taking a DIM supplement as well as progestrolife cream. So I thought I finally had hormones and thyroid figured out and was at a comfortable weight until I started treating my gut. Ugggh!

    Reply
    • Hi Dianna,

      Your weight should balance out but the fact that you are gaining is likely an indication of some other problem that may or may not be known to you and your physician.

      Reply
      • Not true my weight went up 12lbs while treating this as well with zero diet changes I think the erythromycin is the worst but doxycycline did it to me also

        Reply
    • Hi Dianna,
      I am wondering if you tried a gluten free diet. I had Grave’s disease and just 3 months on a gluten free diet and my thyroid levels were normal and put me in remission. I have been eating gluten free for 6 years now but the nice thing is that I can have a some gluten every now and then. I will just get some abdominal pain sometimes. You wrote this in 2017 and I am just seeing it now, so curious if you will get this and I will get an e-mail response back. My endocrinologist told me that a gluten free diet would not help. I am wondering how many people have been helped with a gluten free diet. My chiropractor told me try a gluten free diet. Hope you have found what works for you.

      Reply
      • Hi Linda,

        I’m not sure if Dianna will see this but I can tell you from my own personal experience that many patients with autoimmune diseases benefit tremendously from going gluten-free.

        Reply
    • This was so informative! Thank you. I got eczema for the first time working abroad in Korea. 🙁 I believe it waa due to me having leaky gut/ibs, chronic stress, poor diet, b12/zinc/calcium/iron deficiencies (vegan), and lastly eating my food intolerances like gluten, soy, dairy, and high histamine fermented non vegan Korean foods like kimchi and other veggie side dishes, which is all they have here for us vegans! Yeah, I regret my poor life choices this year. Now, I’m getting my ass in gear to beat it with a low histamine/oxalate diet, no stress, supplements like glutamine L, b complex, women’s multi, CDG/DIM (to get topical steroid out of my system, help my liver, and balance my hormone levels sometimes altered by stress. yes I’ve had hormonal acne before, not anymore since I’m eating whole plant-based foods and taking supplements lol but yeah the eczema is just….anyways) I’ve been researching like crazy on what to do next to get my immune system back up and it’s going back to normal but slowly… i know this because my staph infections have reduced dramatically in the past week. I just gotta keep raising it back up. Next, I think I’ll go for a sibo test. I just hope Korean doctors will even know what that is omg lol the skin doctor just looked confused as hell when I started talking about eczema being linked to gut health… phew. Would you recommend I try anything else once I get my results back? Please and thank you. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Hi,
    Thank you very much for this informative article. I had never heard of SIBO until I was able to see a gastroenterologist last week. I have been suffering with most of the symptoms you listed since August and I learned a great deal from the information you provide.

    I am curious as to why you recommend a trial of antibiotics before breath testing for anyone with a known diagnosis of hypothyroidism. I completed my breath test yesterday and asked my doctor if I could begin antibiotics while the results are pending in light of having an under active thyroid for 20 years and experiencing symptoms consistent with SIBO for so long. He was unwilling to initiate antibiotics until confirmation of SIBO stating that antibiotics can also make people sick.

    I understand his rationale, however, I have gained 7 pounds since August and have had abdominal distention, cramping and diarrhea nearly every single day for four months and was hoping to get some relief sooner than in the seven days it takes to obtain breath test results. Could you please the rationale for your recommendation for hypothyroid patients experiencing SIBO symptoms?
    Sincerely,
    Heather

    Reply
    • Hi Heather,

      Great question and sure. It’s for several reasons actually:

      1. Hypothyroid patients have about a 50% incidence of SIBO which is quite high.

      2. The SIBO breath test is not 100% accurate which means the test could be negative and you still have SIBO and vice versa.

      3. There is a difference between my recommendations in herbal antibiotics and the prescription antibiotics that your physician is referencing. Herbal antibiotics tend to carry much less risk and are well tolerated compared to prescription antibiotics.

      Reply
  4. I have had and suffered from many of those symptoms above and tested positive to sibo. Diagnosed with Sibo/Gerd/dyspepsia. Also endoscopy showed high acid (low PH) in stomach. So be careful telling people to stay away from ppi’s unless they have had ph testing by endoscopy. PPI’ s maybe needed in many cases.

    After many visits to the Mayo clinic with multiple tests including CT scan, endoscopy, stool testing, PH testing and gallbladder being removed the below protocol is what has worked for me

    1. Cycle rifaximin and neomyicin (3 weeks on 2 weeks off) this must be repeated continually as sibo comes back
    2. Have stomach PH tested by a GI specialist if high acid take nexium 1 to 2 times a day. (Most of the new research on ppi’s prove they are very safe)
    3. Take solaray “yeast cleanse” the two weeks your off the rifaximin. This again is on going.
    4. Take ibergast every night before bedtime
    5 . Take a high powered vitamin & zinc complex daily
    6. If leaky gut is suspected use “entera gam” it helps in the beginning stage to heal the gut ( its by prescription)

    Dont be afraid of the above antibiotics. They are safe and have very few if any side effects. They stay in the gut and do not promote antibiotic resistance. Check with an MD first, if you have ever had c-diff in your past than the above is not a good idea.

    Once you keep the small instestine healthy with the antibiotics and supplements the food allergies will go away. Stay away from most sugars ( use stevia) and limit cocktails to a max of 2/day.
    Feel free to contact me
    Dennsktrader@gmail.com

    Reply
    • I would be very cautious in saying xifaxin and neomycin are safe and have very few if any or without side effects. Neomycin does kill good bacteria and does not stay in the small intestine like xifaxin does. All antibiotics can come with side effects. Neomycin is a traditional antibiotic and does not stay localized in the SI. Just fyi.

      Reply
    • Unfortunately no antibiotics are “safe” to use. They go in like a bomb and destroy good and bad, altering our microbiome in a negative way. I actually believe I got SIBO from taking too many antibiotics.

      Reply
  5. Dr. Child’s, after a 10 year battle I have finally found a Dr. who has listened and diagnosed me correctly. I have SIBO with a ton of food allergies and autoimmune issues. I am Xifaxan, but no dietary changes were suggested (Of course 🙂 I was looking over your 3- day plan and it has eggs on it and I am allergic to them. Any suggested replacement for that first meal?
    I appreciate your articles and guidance, it is so very helpful.
    Thanks,
    Stephanie

    Reply
    • Stephanie,
      I have also been suffering for about a decade. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, chronic sinusitis, narcolepsy, an autoimmune disorder, and microscopic colitis. My food intolerance list has grown so huge, it is kind a joke at work about what I can and can’t eat. Eggs have been on the “strictly avoid” list for about two years now.

      I was just diagnosed with SIBO last week and am optimistic it is the cause of most of my issues. Anyway, I am just curious how your treatment went, if you’ve been able to prevent recurrence, and if eggs are back on the “can eat” list.

      Hope you are better!
      Rachek

      Reply
  6. Hi Dr. Childs, thank you for the very interesting article on SIBO. I have been diagnosed (with several follow-up breath tests @my gastro doc) with SIBO about 2 years ago. My doctor finally gave up on me. He sent me to University of VA medical center in Charlottesville. The doc there told me I didn’t have sibo (he’s wrong-I just know it). He didn’t test me, he just looked at my previous tests. He seems to think I just have digestive issues. I believe the Sibo coincided with the onset of menopause (I am 52, had my last baby at 46 years of age). I know my motility is not working. I used to be VERY regular and only had issues with constipation when I was pregnant which is normal. It all started with a weird almost month long constipation episode when I was 50. I will never forget it. I was also having severe nausea following meals. I was a big fresh salad eater (with a side of meat and rustic bread). So I realized I had to stop eating. Something was wrong. I was not having bowel movements. My stomach looked pregnant everytime I ate. It was SWELLED, distended. Just plain awful. Everything in my digestive tract was at a stand still. ALSO, I had this strange rash -excema looking on my face near my eye that is still there to this day…..So I went to a gastro doc and he did ALL the tests (except the siBO one)-x rays, MRI, Catscan, colonoscopy, endoscopy. All clear. Healthy. Nothing looked wrong except what he said was a very very slight case of IBS. Then I went back to him to continue to try to find a resolution. He gave me a breath test for sibo and put me on rifaximen–It was wonderful while on it but as soon as it was done, I was back to the same problems. So fast forward two years, lots of self prescribed herbal antibiotics (Neem plus, wild oregano, Iberogast, low dose Erythromycin, Allimed, Antrantril, digestive enzymes, etc…you name it, I have done it)…I am still dealing with this–here is my current remedies for the constipation sibo (methane dominant SIBO):
    Digestive enzyme-sibbzymes
    ginger every meal
    mag. citrate (calm) 1 tbs. one time a day two hours post meal
    I eat a strict low fodmap diet–not raw veggies, fruits, no fiber, not nuts
    Eat every 4 hours or more (three or two meals–one meal a day would be ideal for me)
    So–I think that I have other symptoms that are leading me to think that the root cause is a case of the SIBO–I think I am suffering from hypothyroid–I am cold all the time, slow motility, hair falling out, very tired/losing motivation in general….So I am starting on some adrenal herbals and thyroid herbals hoping to see some results. If you see anything you can comment or recommend, I would appreciate it.

    Reply
    • Jean, you need to stop your raw food diet. Raw vegetables are very high in phytic acid, which continues to trigger inflammatory responses. You need to be cooking your foods in healthy oil (coconut, avocado) for optimal nutrient absorption. Also, with your thyroid conditions, you need to be doing autoimmune protocol, asap. Your body desperately needs to heal and AIP is a huge help.

      Reply
      • This is inaccurate. Eating raw, uncooked foods is extremely healthy and beneficial for you and your body. Raw foods have more digestive enzymes in them than cooked foods. You also do not need to cook your vegetables in fat for optimal nutrient absorption. Cooking vegetables actually depletes them of nutrients. Just fyi.

        Reply
        • Not so fast (>: For me, eating raw broccoli and several other raw vegetables will bring on an immediate attack of severe pain, nausea and bloating. When this last happened with broccoli I also ended up with blood in the stool. The vegetables that I can eat (carrots) have to be cooked!
          Jessie

          Reply
  7. I realized I neglected to say that I was on many prescription antibiotics (rifaximin/neomycin), Flagyl (combined with something I think, can’t remember), Rifaximin/neomycin again, I did atleast 4 – 5 rounds of antibiotics with no resolution of the SIBO after the antibiotic was done. It was always pretty good, much better, almost normal digestion when I was on the antibiotics). Then I went to the herbals, (allicin, oregano, berberine, ginger, neem etc.). I found that the peppermint in the atantril was not good for my sibo-c. It caused a parastalsys in the digestive motility. I think everything that I took herbal-wise would begin to loose its effectiveness after a month. So I try something else. Anyway, I am not on any of those now (gets expensive, and frankly, I don’t know what would work right now as it seems they are all not having much effect as they did in the beginning. I just have to watch my foods keeping it to low-fermentables and NO fiber. Spaced out meals, NO GRAZING. Thanks again for reading!

    Reply
    • Did you consider biofilm disruptors?
      Methanogens which are not bacteria and most of the bacteria create biofilms so they get resistant to antibiotics…. Maybe this is another approach to consider since you can take all the antibiotics you want but if there is a shield protecting the target is like doing nothing.

      Reply
  8. Hi
    Just been diagnosed order with borderline SIBO!! A 2 week course of ciprofloxacin has been advised but no dietary or supplement advice!! Just wondering if you have any advice on this?
    Thanks
    Sarah

    Reply
  9. This thread has just saved my sanity !! I truly thought I was going crazy. X-ray 4 months ago showed nothing, CT scan 2 months ago showed nothing, lovely x-ray while I was pooping showed nothing and yet I was in so much pain all the time. The only way to eliminate waste and cause some temporary relief was to do an enema every morning and every night. This has become my life until now. Next step was going to be another colonoscopy even though the one I had last June was perfect. I am a 50-year-old with Hashimoto’s as well as Leukemia due to a marker for Rheumatoid Arthritis. So, I am going to start a new meal plan and see if I can figure out what the triggers are that are causing all these symptoms. Now that I understand what is happening, I can tackle it head-on. As of yesterday, I didn’t care if I died because I was so miserable …. today, I’m ready to start living again !! Thank you to everyone that has made comments and shared your experiences. You saved me!

    Reply
  10. I don’t want to take antibiotics, or enzymes, or herbal supplements. They all make your hair fall out. I already lost 30 percent of it with the antibiotics that got me into this mess in the first place. Tore me up! Malabsorption, Leakey gut, and Sibo. Nightmare. And now I’m reading probiotics cause weight gain.

    Reply
  11. I have been diagnosed with Sibo two weeks ago. Started treatment of Berberine 1000mg per day ADP 4 tables a day and NAC N-acetyl-L-CYSTEINE.
    Prior did antibiotics treatment for h pylori.
    Was advised to eat everything no diet while doing treatment. My question is will this be enough to kill the bacteria?

    Reply
  12. Digestive enzymes make your hair fall out, especially at my age. Already tried them. So do antibiotics, that’s how I got in this mess. So does thyroid meds. I can’t deal with that. Herbal treatment, does it to. Hopeless.

    Reply
  13. If you take antibiotics, at my age, post menapausal, half your hair falls out. There’s a high chance you still will get Sibo right back. Some herbs cause hair loss to. My hair is thin already. Seems hopeless. Can you prevent hair loss, on Xifaxin by taking vitamin b. I’m not vitamin deficeint, I had labs done. But I know I have malabsortion. I don’t gain weight. I also know I don’t have thyroidism, or diabetes. Tested for both. Breath test was not conclusive.

    Reply
  14. I am about 90% sure I have SIBO. I have experienced severe bloating, constipation, gas and indigestion for a year. I basically look pregnant by the end of the day everyday. I also suffer from adrenal fatigue and thyroid disorders. I have gained 12 lbs and CANNOT get it off!! My doctor’s know nothing about SIBO, so I’m having to teach them. I’m so bloated I feel like I need to hide my belly and I’m a tiny woman. The weight gain is driving me crazy and I’m Soo hungry at night. How do I deal with the systematic inflammation? I thought treatment for SIBO would get the weight off, but now I’m reading it won’t. So, what do I do to deal with the inflammation you spoke of in the article. I’m tried of this, I’m fatigued, I’m worried.

    Reply
  15. Great resource! Grateful for experts like yourself who share the knowledge! I tried the link of the suggested digestive enzyme but it didn’t work (sent me to a page with error message). Is there any way you can provide me the name of the digestive enzyme that you recommend? I’ve tried a few different brands but am still looking for one that I love.

    Reply
  16. I have been suffering on and off for 2 and half yrs. It settled down some and then I need antibiotics for a sinus infection and it is back. I have Hashimotos….fibromyalgia, IBS, Depression Anxiety and Panic Attacks. They come and go. I get so bloated again after I eat ..I have really no pain but discomfort. I also have GERD and LPR. I started to take PPI’s again and Acid Reducer and this has exacerbated the SIBO. I tried to get a breath test and was told no one does it. I called every hospital and lab in Waynesboro, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg, Va. I know I have this and probably leaky gut as well. I have had elevated blood sugars as well for the past 3 or 4 yrs and the doctor does not address this. I had a Vit D of 12 and have been on supplements for 6 months or more and it went up to 37. I want to see it in the 50-70 range. I need another test. I want to try the antibiotis Rifaxamin. I am hoping my primary will give them to me. I do not want to go through all the GI testing. I know what I have. I have more constipation which is exacerbated by the thyroid disease. For awhile I was having a normal bowel movement , formed and large.. i have not had that in 30 or more yrs. I use to have diar. all the time with intermittent constipation. But now it is a combo of both but mostly constipation. My stool changes color daily from the food and I find pieces of undigested food in my stool and it has almost a chemical smell sometimes. I take Oil of Orgegano and all kinds of supplements. Maybe too many of them. I am at my wits ends. I can not lose weight either and I am eating alot of sweets which is not helping my blood sugars or stomach issues. Its like self sabotage…eating comfort foods knowing I am making it worse almost. I just do not want to go through a meriad of tests none of which can diagnosis SIBO. I know my body and with everything I have related to this condition I have 90% of related conditions including psorasis and psoriatic arthritis on top of it all. I am flooded with auto immune diseases and just want help.

    Reply
  17. This SIBO C is awful. It makes me sick but kills self esteem. I was petite and have TRAPPED flatulence where I look distended. It is awful. Will this product get rid of that. It does not expel…..plus motility severe C

    Reply
  18. Very helpful info. I had considered the ibergast but read about some cases where an ingredient (celandine) had considered liver damage in otherwise healthy people. Even though the percentage of that is low, it makes me leary because it would be just my luck that I would be one of them. Will have to keep looking for another prokinetic. I have suspected for months that I had SIBO so I have been dairy, grain, starch, gluten, sugar, fructose free since then. That did make me lose a lot of weight that I couldn’t afford to lose, but after 2 months I started adding back in starch so I eat tons of white rice and resistant starch in the form of boiled, cooled and reheated potatoes, as well as lots of protein in the form of oily fish and eggs. I eat oatmeal with coconut oil and nuts for breakfast with blueberries. Lots of avocados and other fats. Despite stuffing myself daily & I am completely miserable by midafternoon, I cannot gain an ounce back and actually lose a little here and there. My gastroenterologist never believed I had SIBO, and I initially had a negative glucose hydrogen test, but my functional doctor at Cleveland Clinic encouraged me to take the lactose hydrogen test as that is less likely to give a false negative and it was positive for me last week. So now I will have to wait for a recommendation – antibiotics vs. herbals. Can anyone share their experience with the antibiotics – do they make you feel miserable? Also, I wonder if I should start a probiotic along with the antibiotics or wait until I’m done because I’m worried that they will wipe out everything not only in the small intestine but also in colon. I have developed a sensitivity to dairy so when I had tried to add it back in (cheeses) I became very itchy so I am wondering if a milk-based probiotic like lactobacillus longum would cause a problem for me. I heard that it is good for constipation so I was hopeful to use it. Dr. Childs, what is your thought about that? Thanks.

    Reply
  19. Hi,
    I have been suffering for over a decade. In the last 6 years, I got a bit more desperate to find out what was going on as all the lifestyle and diet changes in the world weren’t helping me. I have been diagnosed with: hypothyroidism, chronic sinusitis, recurring folliculitis, Grover’s disease, narcolepsy, an autoimmune disorder, and microscopic colitis. After begging my GI doc to test me for SIBO, I have been diagnosed with both hydrogen and methane SIBO.

    I am waiting on the Xifaxin to come in and plan on adhering to a no-fodmap diet (it is not a big change from my current diet because most fodmaps register on the food sensitivity tests for me – I have been keto and lactose, legume, egg, and gluten-free for years now).

    I am curious about how to ensure I completely recover. You mentioned in the article that a next step would be to test hormones. What doctor can I see that will do that? I know that I have cortisol issues – super low in the mornings and evenings. I am also about 60lbs overweight. Two years ago, I had 90 lbs to lose, lost 60lbs and had just 30 left but I recently had a huge flare and put on 30lbs in about 4 weeks.

    I just want to be healthy and live some kind of life with quality. I am desperate for help.

    Thank you for the information. It is very helpful and gives me hope that this is resolvable!

    Reply
    • Hi Rachel,

      When evaluating hormones you will probably want to see an integrative doctor or a doctor specializing in functional medicine. Most standard conventional doctors have a very limited understanding of hormone balance.

      Reply
  20. Hi there. I was diagnosed with GERD and giant astral ulcer and other smaller ulcers x 3 yrs. Stomach empties normally and on slug of Pantoprazole (80mgs/day). EGD x quarterly to check. It is suspected I have anatomical abnormality leading to unresolved Antral ulcer, discontinuing PPI is not an option.despite resolution of GERD and smaller ulcers. Sonographic camera images are a nightmare (each new doc suspects CA), no perforation risk.
    Oregano oil/Neem would burn me alive, so on 3rd Xifaxin course always hits me in January (!!), so Xmas sugar indulgences are questionable. Ive started low dose (25mcg) of Levothyroxin for borderline thyroid (which bounces all over the place). Dx’ed with Gilbert’s as a child and elevated bilirubin, so anything affecting liver is a no-go. I am a 62 yo female with nl. BMI, active lifestyle and intermittent methane SIBO, often accompanied with other inflamm. Processes: herpes simplex, psoriasis. Am taking combo B12 injections, Jarrow Bowel Support, Jarrow-dophilus, Bidobach-Infantis , Liquid D, zinc, daily Mag-citrate. Diet is vegetarian and I am challenged by too much roughage.
    Any other probiotics you recommend? I’ve thrown the book probiotic wise and think I need a more mindful approach. Suggestions?

    Reply
  21. It would be interesting to know from my perspective how the symptomology developed over time.

    I just recently conducted the test fo SIBO. And reading all the stories. Makes me sad that many have suffered and endured much more and much longer than I.

    I can’t remember the last time I felt good. But I know that it didnt just happen. It was a gradual thing that came in the beginning as seizures almost (sudden elevated HR, breathing) and would end up at hospital only to be told your fine.

    But those incidences gradually increased in both frequency and duration. Now they seem almost as a permanent fixture of life. And of course the other part is the depression and anxiety. I suppose for me what I hate the most is on a good day you feel absolutely normal and it is so exhilarating! And then when you have 2 or 3 days it’s like fantastic you can’t even feed remember what it was to feel bad.

    And then boom. That flush comes over your face. Start to feel a little clammy. And in 15 minutes you’re done. It’s like now you can’t even remember what it felt like to feel good just 15 minutes ago.

    I dont know if I’ve got SIBO but I empathize with anyone who has. It is the most evil thing I’ve ever had to live with. And the depression (which I think arrives from not knowing) is the worst. That and the incessant ringing of the ears. A perpetual unending reminder of the misery.

    Reply
    • Hi there- I was a very active, healthy 29 yo. I have been going through the same thing for the past year and a half. Every day is uncomfortable. Those days where the symptoms are gone (very few and very far between), it’s a relief to feel “normal” again (to be honest I don’t know what normal feels like anymore). Depression and anxiety really take ahold of you during these periods, and have I experienced more stress-induced panic attacks during this time than I ever have before.

      The flush and clammy feeling.. I have never explained this to anyone but I get the exact same feeling, that throws you into a spiral. Nausea, distension, abdominal pain to name a few, and the only way to get by it is to relax and take deep breaths until it lessens enough to function. It’s near impossible to try to function normally, work full days, travel, socialize when you feel this way, but are trying to appear okay.

      Mine originally began with an extreme pain in the lower right abdominal area. It quickly escalated and over the course of the next half year or so I did almost every test in the book to rule out colitis, ulcers, crohns, etc. I went through bi-weekly visits with my GP, multiple gastroenterologists, and a lot of outside opinions that I looked into, to rule things out. I did ultrasounds, endoscopy, colonoscopy, xrays, CT scan, multiple blood tests. I also attempted a low FODMAP diet at the suggestion of one of the specialist gastroenterologists, and did not find any benefits at that point- it was recommended to go back to a normal diet, which I have done so no foods are restricted from my current diet. It doesn’t matter what I seem to eat or drink, I feel the same way. I finally visited a naturopath friend, who recommended the breath test for SIBO.

      After taking the test I was diagnosed with SIBO, conclusively since my numbers were very high for hydrogen and elevated for methane. I am on my second treatment- the first began with Rifaximin and two liver supporting supplements, NAC SAP and mediherb LivCo. The treatment seemed to fix a couple, but not all of my symptoms. As soon as it was finished, everything returned. My second treatment consists of natural remedies- a tincture to eradicate the bacteria overgrowth, the same liver supplement NAC SAP, and allimax supplement. Nearing the end of the treatment.. no improvement and some symptoms are worsening again (bowel movements are off- from diarrhea to constipation, nausea back in full force, pain and distension).

      Any suggestions or advice is welcomed, as I’m still looking for a solution.

      Reply
  22. Hi,
    In Aug of 2019 I became very sick. After numerous doctors visits come to find out I had Mono. I battled with crazy symptoms it’s still dealing with some of them currently. In January I had a positive test for sibo. I had a colonoscopy beginning of February which came back clear
    .I actually felt better and I assume because I cleared out everything. I started taking antibiotics right after that I’m finished 2 weeks later around the 19th I felt fine for about two to three weeks. Then a lot of the same symptoms came back. Fogginess, nausea,cramps,gas, bloating, muscle pain, shortness of breath, phlegm, no energy, feeling flush,dry skin ,hair loss, constipation . I know it’s a lot and I feel like the doctors look at it like Wednesday and can’t cause all this they want to say that I have numerous diagnosis. My gastro doctor saying that I just have IBS and at the other things might be contributed to fibromyalgia. So it’s just a coincidence that when I started feeling nauseous and getting stomach symptoms again they’re all these other symptoms came back to? Now I’m kind of at a loss of what to do and with everything going on in this country and not really a priority which is understandable but that doesn’t change the fact that I still feel horrible. I don’t know what to do and I’m sure I’m at a higher risk because obviously my immune system is not working. Any advice What treatments that work for everybody else would be greatly appreciated

    Reply
  23. Thank you for this article. Does anorexia or low caloric- extreme dieting over a long period of time cause problems with the thyroid, SIBO and hypochloridia… and is it reversible? Do you have an article on this subject? My Functional and organic acid tests revealed decreased stomach acid, vitamins, nutrients, and minerals along with increased inflammation markers, but I have never experienced any digestive issues. I have also been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, but have never experienced low energy levels. In fact, I tend to be anxious and wired all the time. My thyroid tests so far have been very good. I took your Thyroid adrenal complex and, functional fuel detox and experienced immediate “WOW” benefits. Thank you! Also collagen, D3, B12, and a the diet you suggested which avoids sugar, soy, gluten, and dairy helped me immensely. I buy organic non GMO when I can; but I can’t always get it. A friend said all food must be certified organic Non GMO! Is it Ok to eat regular food as long as it is part of a healthy diet? Do you have an article on this subject? You have helped me so much with your articles! Thank you for your expert knowledge, and guidance! You are the best!

    Reply
  24. Hello. I strongly suspect that I have SIBO, and have a question about its effects on digestion.

    But first a bit of backstory: I have resistant hypertension for which an underlying cause has not been found despite thorough investigation (I do not have sleep apnea, renal artery stenosis, wonky hormone levels, bad contributing habits, etc.). I take a diuretic, an ARB, and a beta blocker. In addition, I have wildly fluctuating lipid levels even though I am on a high dose of Lipitor. My doctor has suspected non-compliance as the reason for these medications not working as well as she expected, even though I take them all exactly as directed.

    Here is my question: if I do indeed have SIBO, could malabsorption actually be preventing my medications from getting into my system consistently and therefore causing my blood pressure readings and lipid levels to fluctuate?

    (I have not yet mentioned my SIBO symptoms or this medication malabsorption theory to my doctor, mostly because I don’t want to come across as a self-diagnoser. I thought I’d try it on the internet first – thank you for the opportunity!)

    Reply
  25. I am so happy I came across this article and all your questions and comments. I have a 7 year old boy who has suffered on and off from he was a young baby. At times the pain is unbearable and he screams in agony – episodes can last up to 1 week. The GP diagnosed him at 3 year old with constipation but my understanding now is he has SIBO. We removed gluten and diary from his diet and started the supplement Atrindol, everything was going well but out of nowhere the pain has started again, going on day 5 now. It breaks my heart to see him in so much pain. He has passed stools, some with mucus and he is very windy. The pain isn’t in his stomach, it is always in his bottom – spasm like shooting pains. Has anyone experienced this or has any suggestions on how to ease this? We are beginning to element sugar from his diet to see if that helps.

    Reply
    • My daughter has anus pain and her private part. The doctor said it doesn’t have anything to do with her sibo. When she was on antibiotics it all went away then after it came back. It’s the one thing I have a hard time with because I never seen anyone with a similar story.

      Reply
  26. I had a lower right sharp pain in Jan 2020 lasting 3 days – PCP said it was IBS. Then I was on Flagyl (oral) antibiotic in June 2020 without proper counsel on taking probiotics or eating certain foods along with it to prevent SIBO. August 2020 developed severe lower right sharp pains for weeks. ER visits, calls to PCP, scans, etc. ER and PCP told me in my head. I’ve been seen by 1 GI nurse who didn’t know what I had, then went along with my curiosity about SIBO. Took Xifaxan, pain left, moved to upper right below my rib. She dismissed me seeing the GI doctor and told me I had gastritis put me on acid reducer, ginger root, lglutamine told me to exercise (I felt so bad I stopped – I am active/fit 130lb female). Told me she didn’t believe in probiotics, so I stopped them after 4 weeks. 3 weeks later pain was 10x worse! Went back on probiotics so I could work. November 2020 had colonoscopy and endoscopy by second GI who diagnosed me with functional abdominal pain. Told me to continue probiotics if they work, well they stopped worked following the procedures…burning in lower ab region, severe bloat. Stopped taking them and all returned to normal in 3 days. Subsequent yeast infection symptoms as well. Went to see a naturopathic who wants to test my stool for yeast overgrowth. GI has a SIBO test scheduled for me, but not really sure what I should be eating not knowing what this is. Pain in upper right has returned after 1 week off probiotic. GI thinks dose was too strong, although all was fine before the procedure for a couple of months. Really at my wits ends – trying to conceive and having had 2 miscarriages, IVF will not allow us to proceed until I have a definitive diagnosis…feel like I’m a nut case. 3 PCPs told me it was in my head, so I’m on my 4th. He is now starting to suggest it is stress (I agree it may be the root), but flagyl may have tipped me over the edge.

    Reply
  27. I was just recently diagnosed with SIBO after my primary recommended that I take a breath test. My gastroenteroligist said I had GERD and prescribed Omeprazole. After a positive breath test I was prescribed Xiflaxin for a 14 day course. After the course nothing seems to have changed except now I don’t have a regular bowel movement like I used to. My GI has no plan and said I could try some other antibiotics with bad side effects. Looking for another GI and doing a lot of research on the internet. You would think that there would be a treatment plan on approach. My gut (no pun intended) is that many GIs don’t have a clue about this disease. Any recommendations for a GI in the Philadelphia PA area that understands SIBO would be greatly appreciated.
    Ed

    Reply
  28. Hi Dr Child

    I saved your post to my favorites because it speaks to me when no one else’s made any sense to me. Thank You. My severe suffering began at the start of 2020 with chronic abd pains, stomach fullness due to lack of emptying. I started going to the bathroom for 45 mins to 1 hr from both ends at the same time with extreme weakness following for days to a week. I did have some episodes of this sporadically over the past 8 yrs, but did not attribute it to any particular thing. I finally had an endoscopy and colonoscopy 2021, which resulted in “ZERO”. The GERD, I suffered with for decades, was nonexistent; and so was every other symptom that also resulted in nothing. I have tried herbs, supplements, diet change (by-the-way, I have been eating organically for about 12 yrs now and have minimized processed food, and is not a sugar or snacking person). Needless to say, I have been losing weight, although, I was always a skinny Minny. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 2010, [elevated calcium (through the roof), protein, sodium and glucose. Low potassium 2021]. I know I have adrenal fatigue, but again, the result was negative. I only got a mild decrease in cortisol levels for a result. (Tell that to my chatty brain, fatigue, brain fog, forgetfulness ect,). I a have arthritis of the joints. I’m always bumping into things and my joints hurt like crazy. I cannot sleep at night, and I’ll stop here because the list goes on and on. My big issue is, how do I balance my diet to control all of this? I have tried so many things. Some worked, but I am still having these issues. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
  29. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now
    each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
    Thanks!

    Reply
  30. I’m a 51 year old survivor of colorectal cancer. No evidence of cancer since March 2020. I was an athlete and extremely active prior to my cancer diagnosis and current GI issues.

    I have been experiencing severe gas, constipation, indigestion, nausea, bloating, and constant non stop burping since January 2020
    Although my cancer is gone, I’m still experiencing these symptoms everyday.

    I haven’t been tested for SIBO, but I will request a test from my GI. However I don’t know anything official yet. I could have fungal or parasitic infection or a number of other diseases as well. What does it sound like to you?

    My GI Dr. has not done anything proactive and has not given me any test. I’m thinking about quitting seeing him and go to a different GI. Is this something I should do?
    Thanks for your time.

    Reply
  31. Colloidal silver – one tablespoon 30ppm per day
    Cats claw- 500 mg per day
    Diagnosed with Sibo 4-5 years ago. Tested and tried everything mentioned on this site, NOTHING worked except the colloidal silver and cats claw. Hope this helps.

    Reply
  32. Does SIBO cause excessive burping? I have hypothyroidism and used to have bad heartburn and reflux which I no longer have. It has morphed into burping, nausea and pain on upper left side-higher than my stomach. The GI doctor completely dismissed me and said I just have reflux but I seriously doubt that. Also, interesting enough my RA factor is elevated and the doctors are worried I have lupus but I never would have put the two things together. Also curious if SIBO is genetic? My mother has severe SIBO-her levels are over 140 and my niece also has symptoms. I thought your article was very interesting and will pursue getting tested.

    Reply
    • Hi Beth,

      Yes, SIBO can cause that symptom. I’m unaware of a genetic component to SIBO but I haven’t actually researched that topic so it could be possible.

      Reply
  33. Dr Childs- thank you for the excellent article and extremely helpful information. Somewhere in the article you referenced alpha-lipoid-acid as a good supplement for mental function. While it is an excellent supplement , it’s not widely understood that it is a chelator for mercury as well and should be avoided unless you understand how to identify if you’ve had inherited mercury or mercury exposure and how to use an appropriate dose and interval. I found that Dr. Andrew Cutler has a protocol that is safer than others. I found that taking liposomal vitamin c with alpha lipoic acid as an added ingredient made me feel horrible, headaches, extreme tiredness and brain fog with anger as the symptoms. When I realized it was present and quit taking it the symptoms cleared up within a few days. Taking alpha lipoic acid according to the Cutler protocol in a low dose according to the half life of the chelator I have had improvement of symptoms and minimal side effects for mercury poisoning. Thanks for the great article!

    Reply
  34. Fantastic break down of everything Westin! Have been battling with Sibo badly for the last 2yrs but Iooking back now have had digestive issues and have been slightly depressive since childhood (now 38) but just always thought that was just my normal. I feel like I have a stubborn h2s sibo variety. Had 2 weeks last year I felt great energy was back, more calm less panic attacks, less stressed, sleeping well, libido/hormones was better, digestion better but I regressed. Now reacting to sulfur rich foods and supplements. Seeing a functional medicine naturopath and he’s determined to find the missing piece to the puzzle but I’m starting to loose hope. I’ve tried everything including hypnotherapy because people are starting to think I’m crazy and it’s all in my head. I’m going broke, I’m not functioning and feel like I’m not far off giving up. The mental symptoms get too much for me sometimes. Any guidance would be appreciated.

    Reply
  35. I had a SIBO test which came up positive and was given xifaxan$$$$ I have done a probiotic and am strict with my diet. I feel like I have acid in my mouth all the time. Any suggestions? I do have fibro but it has been under control with meds. Chewing ginger gum sometimes helps but I cant chew gum all the time. ( TMJ)

    Reply
  36. Hi Dr Childs,

    I am interested in the herbal treatment for sibo/sifo. Should I do both FC Cidal and candibactin or is one more indicated to treat both bacterial and fungal overgrow?
    TIA

    Reply
  37. Hi. I am in my 50s, had gallbladder removal surgery two years ago, and have suffered with IBS-type symptoms since. I received no diet/supplement guidance from my surgeon or the ordering-gastrologist after the surgery. I’ve tried taking the Now brand Super Enzymes as you suggest but have found that they interfere with the acidity of my stomach if taken at or around mealtime. I think it is the Ox Bile creating a ph change but would appreciate your insight.

    Reply

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