Gastric pH Testing

Quick Intro

VEI Clinic Apgujeong is an English-friendly internal-medicine clinic that evaluates acid-related symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, chest discomfort, chronic cough/hoarseness, bloating) and arranges the right test at the right time. In the clinic, we take your history, examine you, and perform targeted labs and H. pylori testing; for specialized measurements (e.g., 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance or wireless Bravo pH), we coordinate with nearby gastroenterology centers and manage results with you.

What We Evaluate

• GERD/acid reflux (typical & atypical symptoms)
• PPI-refractory symptoms (still symptomatic on acid suppressants)
• Pre-procedure needs (e.g., before anti-reflux surgery or endoscopic fundoplication)
• Dyspepsia/bloating and H. pylori concerns
• Low/variable acid questions (we avoid unvalidated “at-home acid tests” and use clinical pathways instead)

Which Tests Are Used (And How We Help)

In-Clinic

• H. pylori testing
• Basic labs (CBC, iron, B12, CMP) to assess complications (e.g., anemia)
• Therapeutic trials (time-limited PPI/H2RA algorithms with de-escalation plans)
• Lifestyle & diet plan (meal timing, trigger mapping, sleep & elevation strategies)

Hospital/Endoscopy Center (Referral & Coordination)

• 24-hour Esophageal pH-Impedance Monitoring (catheter): quantifies acid and non-acid reflux; often used for refractory symptoms or pre-procedural confirmation.
• Wireless “Bravo” pH Capsule (endoscopy-placed): measures esophageal acid exposure without a nasal catheter (typically 48–96 hours).
• High-Resolution Manometry (when indicated): maps motility before certain procedures or when dysphagia is present.
• pH measurement during endoscopy / gastric aspirate (select scenarios): limited role; we’ll advise if truly helpful.

Who This Is For

• Persistent heartburn/regurgitation despite optimized therapy
• Atypical symptoms possibly related to reflux (chronic cough, throat clearing, hoarseness) after ENT/respiratory workup
• Need to confirm reflux before surgery/procedures or long-term medication
• Recurrent dyspepsia/bloating where H. pylori or other causes must be ruled out

Visit Flow

• Baseline consult (20–30 min) – history, exam, meds/supplements review, red-flag screen
• Initial testing – H. pylori, targeted labs; begin a structured therapy trial if appropriate
• Decision point – if symptoms persist or documentation is required, we book pH/impedance (± manometry) with a GI partner
• Results & plan – plain-English summary, step-down/step-up meds, diet & sleep tactics, and when to recheck

Prep for pH Testing

• Your GI team will specify whether to test ON or OFF acid-suppressing meds:
• OFF-therapy study (to diagnose reflux): usually stop PPIs ~7 days, H2 blockers ~48 hours, antacids ~24 hours before the test.
• ON-therapy study (to evaluate refractory symptoms on PPIs): continue meds exactly as instructed.
• Avoid on test day: very acidic/spicy or stain-heavy foods, large meals, and vigorous exercise (center-specific).
• Keep a symptom/meal/position diary during monitoring; it’s essential for interpretation.
• For the Bravo capsule: you’ll need a brief endoscopy for placement; MRI restrictions may apply during the monitoring window.

Do not stop prescription medication without clinician guidance—your plan will be individualized.

After Your Test

• We correlate acid exposure time, reflux episodes, and symptom association probability with your diary.
• Plans may include medication adjustment, lifestyle changes, ENT or pulmonary coordination, or GI referral for procedural options where appropriate.

Safety: When to Use the ER

• Chest pain with sweating/shortness of breath, black/bloody stool, vomiting blood, persistent vomiting with dehydration, sudden difficulty swallowing with drooling, or severe unintentional weight loss.

What to Bring

• Photo ID (passport/ARC)
• Medication & supplement list (exact doses), especially acid suppressants/NSAIDs
• Prior endoscopy, ENT, or imaging reports (PDFs/photos welcome)
• Brief food/symptom log from the last 1–2 weeks (helps us target testing)

Pricing & Transparency

• You’ll receive a clear quote before any test. Costs differ between in-clinic testing and hospital-based studies. Itemized English receipts are available for reimbursement.