A New Approach to Diagnosing Gastroparesis

The ¹³C-Spirulina Gastric Emptying Breath Test (GEBT) is an FDA-Approved, ACG and AGA Guideline recommended alternative to nuclear medicine to diagnose Gastroparesis.

The GEBT can be administered via monitored telehealth in the patient’s home.

Cairn Diagnostice 13C Spirulina Gastric Empting Breath Test

The ¹³C-Spirulina Gastric Emptying Breath Test (GEBT) was developed to evaluate the rate of solid phase gastric emptying and aid in the definitive diagnosis of gastroparesis.

GEBT is a safe, standardized, non-radioactive and FDA-approved alternative to nuclear medicine-based gastric emptying evaluations conducted in a nuclear medicine center.

The Cairn GEBT is the only national guideline recommended breath test for diagnosing gastroparesis. It is now available to be administered in the patient’s home.

Proven

Validated, Standardized, FDA approved and Clinical Guideline recommended.

Safe

Non-invasive with no exposure to radioactive materials.

Cairn Diagnostics - GEBT - CLIA-certified lab

Trusted

4-hour, comprehensive evaluation.
Our lab is CLIA-certified.

Convenient

Easily administered via Cairn supervised telehealth service.

How does GEBT work?

The GEBT shows how fast the stomach empties by measuring the rate of Carbon-13 excretion in a patient’s breath, which is proportional to rate of gastric emptying. After an overnight fast, the patient collects baseline breath samples, then consumes an egg-meal mixed with Carbon-13 labeled Spirulina (an algae based nutritional supplement). Patients collect six breath samples over the course of four hours. Last, the patient returns the samples to our lab, using a pre-paid mailer.

The GEBT kit is shipped with necessary components to the patient’s home. The test is scheduled and administered via Telehealth by our team at Cairn Diagnostics. Results are reported directly to the provider’s office. The degree of the delay can be discerned from the graphical display provided on the report.

Cairn Diagnostics GEBT Box Contents

Reference: Grover et al., 2022, Epidemiology of Gastroparesis in the US, Gastroenterology, 162(7) p2136

GEBT by Cairn Diagnostics

Three easy steps for patients to
take GEBT

Taking the ¹³C-Spirulina Gastric Emptying Breath Test (GEBT) is simple, convenient, and fully guided. Once your physician submits the order, Cairn ships the test kit directly to your home. On test day, you’ll complete the four-hour, non-invasive breath test with live support from our clinical team via a scheduled video call. When finished, you’ll send your breath samples back using the prepaid packaging provided. Results are typically delivered to your physician within two business days—bringing you one step closer to answers and relief.

Prescription Is Written By A Healthcare Provider

This test requires a prescription from a Healthcare Provider.

The Test Is Conducted In The Patient’s Home

Testing is administered under the supervision of our clinical administrators.

Results Are Reported To The Ordering Provider

A comprehensive report with interpretive guidelines is generated for each patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the GEBT used?

The ¹³C-Spirulina Gastric Emptying Breath Test (GEBT), to be used with the GEBT test meal, is intended for use in the measurement of the rate of gastric emptying of solids and as an aid in the diagnosis of delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis) in adult humans who are symptomatic for gastroparesis.

The GEBT procedure should be administered under supervision of a health care professional although no specialized facilities or specially licensed personnel are required.

When should the GEBT not be used?

People with hypersensitivity to Spirulina, egg, milk or wheat allergens should avoid the GEBT.  The GEBT should not be administered to people with certain lung diseases or conditions that cause small bowel malabsorption. For additional warnings and precautions please see the GEBT product labeling.

How does the Healthcare Provider order the test?

The Healthcare Provider fills out the Telehealth Order Form and faxes to (615)-376-6384. Providers please include patient’s insurance card, front and back. For questions, email info@cairndx.com

How does the test work?

After an overnight fast and collection of an initial (baseline) breath sample, the patient eats a powdered scrambled egg meal containing a nutritional algae material, Spirulina.

The algae is labeled (grown) with a safe, rare, non-radioactive form of carbon, known as Carbon-13.

After the patient eats the ¹³C-Spirulina/egg test meal, the meal is emptied and metabolized, which causes an increase of Carbon-13 labeled carbon dioxide (¹³CO2) molecules in the breath.

The rate of excretion of the ¹³CO2 in the breath at different collection timepoints is directly proportional to the rate of gastric emptying.

We measure the rate of gastric emptying at 6 individual timepoints during the 4-hour evaluation period.

Scintigraphy uses 4 measurements at best, and most often only 2 measurements over 2 hours.

Why has my doctor recommended this test?

Your doctor has recommended the ¹³C-Spirulina Gastric Emptying Breath Test (GEBT) to help determine if you have gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach does not empty properly.

More Patient FAQ's

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