The stomach acid test is used to measure the amount of acid in the stomach. It also measures the level of acidity in stomach contents.
Gastric acid secretion test
The test is done after you have not eaten for a while so fluid is all that remains in the stomach. Stomach fluid is removed through a tube that is inserted into the stomach through the esophagus (food pipe). A hormone called gastrin may be injected into your body. This is done to test the ability of the cells in the stomach to release acid. The stomach contents are then removed and analyzed.
You will be asked not to eat or drink for 4 to 6 hours before the test.
You may have some discomfort or a gagging feeling as the tube is inserted.
Your health care provider may recommend this test for the following reasons:
The normal volume of the stomach fluid is 20 to 100 mL and the pH is acidic (1.5 to 3.5). These numbers are converted to actual acid production in units of milliequivalents per hour (mEq/hr) in some cases. Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly depending on the lab doing the test. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
Abnormal results may indicate:
There is a slight risk of the tube being placed through the windpipe and into the lungs instead of through the esophagus and into the stomach.
Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Gastric acid secretion test (gastric acid stimulation test). In: Chernecky, CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. 6th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:549-602. Schubert ML, Kaunitz JD. Gastric secretion. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 50. Vincent K. Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2019. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:204-208.
10/27/2018
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