Gastric emptying tests
Explanation
Gastric emptying tests measure how quickly food leaves the stomach. They can show that emptying is slower or faster than expected. The test result describes movement of a meal through the stomach; it does not by itself explain the cause of symptoms.
How is stomach emptying measured?
For a gastric emptying scan, you eat a test meal containing a small amount of a radioactive tracer. A camera outside the body follows the tracer to see how much of the meal remains in the stomach over time.
For a breath test, you eat a meal containing a substance that can later be measured through your breath. Repeated breath samples give an indirect measure of stomach emptying. Preparation and the test schedule depend on the method; follow the testing team's instructions.
Does slow emptying mean gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis means delayed stomach emptying without a physical blockage. To make this diagnosis, a clinician considers symptoms, the emptying result and tests that help rule out blockage or other explanations. A slow result alone does not identify the underlying cause.
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