There are about 5 ways to find out about low stomach acid. The most well known one is the Heidelberg PH test, but it is quite pricey and requires a doctor’s visit. However, there are different test your doctor can find out from such as:
The CBC and CMP, High Homocysteine Levels, and the home tests of baking soda Or Betaine HCL. I recommend the HCL test because the baking soda one has many variables and it’s hard to determine for some.
The Heidelberg Stomach Acid Test
This test supposed to be very accurate. It involves taking a small capsule that contains a radio transmitter. The contents of the capsule are able to read the PH of the stomach on a graph. The test costs over £300 and it’s not easy to find a place that does it.
Betaine HCL ‘Self-test’
This is the best and easiest option because all you’ll need to do is some cheap Betaine HCL supplement.
Although it is cheap and easy to do at home it is still quite accurate ways to determine if you have low stomach acid.
Betaine HCL is a digestive enzyme. You should take with every meal, especially protein rich ones. It works on increasing the level of stomach acid to help you properly digest foods. The test helps you to find out the right dosage of Betaine HCL for you if you suffer from low stomach acid. Some people may need one capsule but others may need several or none.
Do The Test:
1. Buy some Betaine HCL with pepsin
2. Take 1 capsule IN THE MIDDLE of the meal (never at the beginning). The meal should be very rich in protein and fat but you can have some vegetables too.
3. It is very important to be observant during and after the meal. Monitor how you feel any changes in stomach or digestion. For example:
a: If you don’t feel any difference, it is most likely you have low stomach acid levels and you need to increase the dosage of the HCL.
b: If you experience a discomfort and warming sensation in your stomach, things like start burping or if your stomach becomes upset, or heaviness in the chest then, it is a signs that you have adequate stomach acid levels and you don’t need to supplement on Betaine HCL. Or you can try half a capsule and notice how you react.
4. If you have no signs of discomfort at this meal, then take 2 capsules (make sure it is not at the beginning and it is in the middle of the meal) in your next meal and observe if there is any change until the next meal.
5. If you experience the worming sensation and the discomfort in the stomach, with 2 capsules, then go back to 1 capsule for the next meal. Start taking 1 capsule in the middle of each meal. If not go to 3 capsules for next meal, until you adjust the right dose for yourself. When you experience discomfort with a certain number of capsules, then you go one dose down and that will be your optimal dose.
Important note:
If you are currently taking any over the counter pain or depression medications (such as NSAID’s) or corticosteroids, please do check with your doctor before doing this test.
