The urease test is a simple test to determine if you have bacteria (Helicobacter pylori) in your stomach. Helicobacter pylori is the leading cause of gastritis and ulcers.

• What are the indications for the Urease Test?
  Due to its low cost and simplicity in our clinic the urease test has become an integral part of the complete examination of the stomach which also includes biopsy in three different areas to assess for the risk of stomach cancer.
• How is the Urease Test performed?
  There are several types of urease test. The common feature that they share is that very small pieces of the stomach lining are inserted into a gel or liquid that changes color if Helicobacter is present.
• What are the limitations of the Urease Test?
  The test performs poorly is the patient is taking proton pump inhibitors a very potent and very commonly used class of medications. The test also performs poorly if antibiotics have been taken recently. For this reason we ask patients to stop taking proton pump inhibitors for at least two weeks. If possible we also ask our patients to postpone upper endoscopy for four weeks after taking antibiotics.