Lab test · Gastroenterology
Helicobacter pylori Antibody Test (IgG)
Stomach ulcer germ (H. pylori)
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 2 days
- Home collection
What this test is for
Stomach ulcer germ (H. pylori)
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that can live in the lining of the stomach and cause gastritis and stomach or duodenal ulcers. This blood test detects IgG antibodies to the bacterium, which show that you have been infected at some point. Because the antibodies stay in the blood long after an infection has cleared, the test cannot tell a current infection from a past one.
Why a doctor may order it
- Upper stomach pain, burning or indigestion that keeps coming back
- A past or current stomach or duodenal ulcer
- As a first check when a stool or breath test is not practical
- To help explain iron-deficiency anaemia with no other clear cause
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You can eat and drink normally beforehand. Unlike stool and breath tests, this blood test is not affected by acid-reducing medicines or antibiotics, so keep taking your usual medicines unless your doctor says otherwise.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- A trained collector takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm at your home. It only takes a few minutes.
- Report
- Within 2 days of collection.
What the results can mean
A positive result means you have been infected with the bacterium at some time, and you may or may not still have it. A negative result makes infection unlikely. Because antibodies persist after successful treatment, this test is not used to check whether treatment has worked. Your doctor will interpret the result and may order a stool antigen test to confirm an active infection.
What's included
One test: Helicobacter pylori Antibody Test (IgG), from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)A complete blood count looks at the three main types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood to clot.
- Serum FerritinFerritin is a protein that stores iron inside the body's cells, and the small amount in the blood reflects how much iron you have stored.
- Stool Occult Blood Test (OBT)This test looks for small amounts of blood in stool that cannot be seen with the naked eye (occult means hidden).
- Stool Routine Examination (Stool R/E)A stool routine examination looks at a small sample of your stool by eye and under a microscope.
- Serum LipasePancreas inflammation check৳450
- Stool Culture and SensitivityGut infection & right antibiotic৳450
Questions people ask
What is the difference between the blood and stool tests for H. pylori?
The blood test shows whether you have ever been infected. The stool antigen test shows whether the bacterium is there now, so it is preferred for diagnosing an active infection and checking treatment.
Can this blood test show whether my H. pylori treatment worked?
No. Antibodies can stay in the blood for a long time after the infection has gone. A stool antigen or breath test is used to check this.
Is H. pylori common in Bangladesh?
Yes. It is common worldwide, particularly in countries like Bangladesh, and is often picked up in childhood. Many people who carry it never have symptoms.
How much does a H. pylori IgG test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳750, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the H. pylori IgG test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the H. pylori IgG report take?
The report is usually ready within 2 days of the sample being collected.