Home › Guides › H. pylori breath test vs stool test
H. pylori breath test vs stool test: how they differ and what they cost
The urea breath test and the stool antigen test both look for a current Helicobacter pylori infection; a blood antibody test is a different test. Here is how each works, what the guideline says about them, and what each costs at the sellers we track (checked Oct 20, 2026).
| Urea breath test | Stool antigen test | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works (MedlinePlus) | You drink or swallow labeled urea; "if you have H. pylori, the bacteria will change the urea into carbon dioxide", which shows up in a breath sample | The lab "checks your sample for antigens that come from H. pylori" |
| Listings we track | $83.52–$259 (7 listings) | $74–$299 (4 listings) |
| Lowest open to the public | $110.93 at Mito Health (non-member price) | $74 at Walk-In Lab |
What the guideline says
The 2024 American College of Gastroenterology guideline on treating H. pylori states that everyone treated should have a test of cure using a urea breath test, a fecal (stool) antigen test or a biopsy-based test at least 4 weeks after finishing therapy, and describes breath and fecal antigen tests as highly accurate for confirming treatment success. Proton pump inhibitors and recent antibiotics can cause false-negative results. MedlinePlus notes that "you may need to stop taking certain medicines for two weeks to a month" before testing; ask the ordering clinician which ones.
Blood antibody tests are different: MedlinePlus explains that the test "can't show whether the antibodies are from an active H. pylori infection that you have now" or a past one. The listings below are breath and stool tests only. Our evidence level for breath and stool testing: Established. This page is not advice on which test to use; that is a question for a clinician.
Every listing we track, lowest total first
| Seller and listing | Type | Total | Who can order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk-In Lab H. pylori Antigen Stool Test | Stool antigen | $74 | Self-order |
| Mito Health (member price) H. pylori Urea Breath Test | Breath | $83.52 | Members only ($9/mo or $99/yr membership) |
| Mito Health (non-member price) H. pylori Urea Breath Test | Breath | $110.93 | Self-order |
| TestWell H. pylori Breath Test | Breath | $135.99 | Self-order |
| TestWell H. pylori Stool Antigen | Stool antigen | $155.99 | Self-order |
| Walk-In Lab H. pylori Urea Breath Test | Breath | $205 | Self-order |
| Labcorp OnDemand H. pylori Urea Breath Test | Breath | $209 | Self-order |
| True Health Labs H. pylori Breath Test | Breath | $229 | Self-order |
| Direct Laboratory Services (DirectLabs) H. pylori Urea Breath Test | Breath | $259 | Self-order |
| Direct Laboratory Services (DirectLabs) H. pylori Antigen EIA, stool | Stool antigen | $279 | Self-order |
| True Health Labs H. pylori Stool Antigen (Quest) | Stool antigen | $299 | Self-order |
Totals include fees each seller lists on its product page. State limits and notes are on the H. pylori price table.
Compare prices
- H. pylori Breath or Stool Test: 11 prices, $74–$299
- Celiac Blood Test (tTG-IgA): 11 prices, $20.85–$119
- Fecal Calprotectin: 5 prices, $139–$325
Sources
- Chey WD, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection. Am J Gastroenterol. 2024;119(9):1730-1753. https://www.ovid.com/jnls/ajg/fulltext/10.14309/ajg.0000000000002968~acg-clinical-guideline-treatment-of-helicobacter-pylori
- MedlinePlus: Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) Tests https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/helicobacter-pylori-h-pylori-tests/
Sources checked 2026-10-19. Prices are from our price tables and update when we re-check sellers.
Informational only, not medical advice. See about & disclaimer.
Get price-drop alerts
A short email when a tracked test's lowest price changes, plus new tests and sellers as we add them. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
A short email when a tracked test's lowest price changes, plus new tests and sellers as we add them. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.