H. pylori stool antigen test
The H. pylori stool antigen test looks for Helicobacter pylori in a stool sample, showing whether you have a current infection of the stomach. H. pylori is a common cause of indigestion, gastritis and stomach ulcers. The test costs £70 at The Vesey, Sutton Coldfield, with no referral needed.
About the H. pylori test
A stool antigen test detects the bacteria themselves, so it shows a current infection. A blood antibody test can stay positive long after an infection has gone, so it cannot tell past from present infection.
People with ongoing indigestion or upper tummy discomfort, or who have been advised to check for H. pylori.
Stop proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole or lansoprazole) for 2 weeks and avoid antibiotics for 4 weeks before the test where it is safe to do so, as they can cause a false negative. Check with your prescriber before stopping any medicine.
Infection is usually treated with a course of medicines prescribed by a doctor. You can book a GP appointment to discuss treatment.
How it works
- 1Book online
Choose your test and pay when you book. Appointments run Tuesday to Friday at The Vesey, Sutton Coldfield.
- 2Collect your kit
A short visit to collect your sample kit, with step-by-step instructions and a chance to ask questions.
- 3Take the sample at home
Collect a small stool sample at home using the kit and return it to us as instructed.
- 4Results and next steps
Your sample is analysed by an accredited laboratory. A GP reviews any result outside the normal range, and you can book a follow-up appointment to discuss it.
Book the H. pylori Stool Antigen Test
- Stool kit and instructions from our team
- Detects current H. pylori infection
- Any positive result reviewed by a GP
- GP appointment available to discuss treatment
- No GP referral needed
Comparing tests? See all four gut health tests. Questions before you book? WhatsApp us or call 0121 387 3705.
Why test with The Vesey
Alongside the microbiome test we offer the stool tests GPs use: FIT for hidden blood, faecal elastase for pancreatic function and the H. pylori stool antigen test.
You collect your kit and instructions from our team at The Vesey in Sutton Coldfield and can ask questions face to face, rather than ordering a kit online and working it out alone.
A GP reviews any result outside the normal range. You can book a follow-up GP or dietetics appointment here, and we can refer you to a gastroenterologist if needed.
A gut test is never a reason to wait. If you have bleeding, weight loss, a lasting change in bowel habit or difficulty swallowing, we tell you to see a doctor promptly.
H. pylori Stool Antigen Test FAQs
What does the H. pylori stool test show?
Whether H. pylori antigen is present in your stool, which indicates a current infection of the stomach.
Do I need to stop any medicines before the test?
Proton pump inhibitors should be stopped for 2 weeks and antibiotics avoided for 4 weeks before the test where it is safe to do so, as they can cause a false negative. Check with your prescriber before stopping any medicine.
How much is the H. pylori test?
£70, paid when you book online. The price includes the kit and laboratory analysis.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book and pay online without a referral.
How do I collect the sample?
At your appointment our team gives you the kit and walks you through the instructions. You collect a small stool sample at home using the kit and return it to The Vesey as instructed, and we send it to the laboratory.
Who reviews the results?
A GP reviews any result outside the normal range. You can book a follow-up GP appointment to discuss your results, and we can refer you to a gastroenterologist if needed.