An H. pylori stool antigen test costs $48–$68 cash at online lab services, and a urea breath test costs $199–$209, each plus a $0–$6 checkout fee — all prices verified September 14, 2026. Both detect an active infection; the blood antibody test that clinics used to run does not, which is why the guidelines no longer recommend it. Here's the full price table, the two-week medication rule that decides whether your result is trustworthy, and which test to order for a first check versus a post-treatment cure check.
Published: September 14, 2026 · Prices verified September 2026 · Edited by LabTestInsight Editorial Team · How we test
Cheapest all-in route (Sept 2026): the H. Pylori Test at HealthLabs — $48, stool antigen, no separate checkout fee, no fasting, no doctor visit or insurance needed.
Order the $48 H. Pylori Test →The Numbers
Prices below are the advertised direct-pay cash prices recorded from each provider's public product page on September 14, 2026, using the same method as our quarterly Lab Test Price Index. "All-in" adds the per-order fee each provider discloses at checkout. Stool and breath tests are listed separately because they are different products at different price points, not the same test at different prices.
| Provider | Test as listed | Cash price | Checkout fee | All-in | Turnaround listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HealthLabs | H. Pylori Testing (stool antigen) | $48 | None listed | $48 Lowest all-in | 1–3 business days | Check Price → |
| Walk-In Lab | Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) Antigen Stool Test | $68 | $6 physician fee | $74 | Not stated |
| Provider | Test as listed | Cash price | Checkout fee | All-in | Turnaround listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walk-In Lab | Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) UREA Breath Test | $199 | $6 physician fee | $205 | 3–4 business days |
| Quest Health | H. pylori Breath Test | $200 | $6 physician fee | $206 | 2–3 business days |
| Labcorp OnDemand | H. pylori Urea Breath Test | $209 | None listed | $209 | 1–4 days |
Excluded on the verification date: RequestATest and Ulta Lab Tests, because both sites blocked automated price verification. We list only prices we could read from a public product page on the day stated. HealthLabs' product page is titled "IgG" but the test description and FAQ on that page describe a stool antigen test; we have listed it as the page describes it and will re-check at the next quarterly pass.
| Test | What it detects | Good for | Cash price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stool antigen | Bacterial protein shed in stool — active infection only | First diagnosis; confirming a cure 4+ weeks after treatment | $48–$74 |
| Urea breath test | Enzyme activity of live bacteria in the stomach — active infection only | Same as stool antigen; slightly better documented for the cure check; requires a site visit | $205–$209 |
| Blood antibody (IgG) | Immune memory of exposure — stays positive for years after the infection is gone | Little. Cannot distinguish current from past infection, so guidelines advise against it for diagnosis or cure | Not recommended |
The practical order: stool antigen first at $48. If it is positive and you get treated, repeat a stool antigen or breath test at least four weeks after finishing antibiotics to confirm the infection is gone. The breath test's $200 premium buys convenience for some people, not a better first answer.
Order at HealthLabs — $48 →What You're Paying For
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that colonizes the stomach lining. It is the main cause of peptic ulcers and the strongest known risk factor for stomach cancer, and it also blocks absorption of vitamin B12 and iron in some people. Roughly a third of U.S. adults carry it, most without symptoms. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends testing anyone with a current or past ulcer, unexplained iron deficiency, or persistent upper-abdominal discomfort, and treating everyone who tests positive.
The catch is that the cheapest, most familiar test is the wrong one. A blood antibody test detects your immune system's memory of the bacterium, and that memory persists for years after treatment. It cannot tell you whether the infection is active today, and it cannot confirm a cure, which is why current guidelines direct clinicians away from it. The stool antigen test and the urea breath test both detect the living organism, and both are accepted for diagnosis and for the post-treatment check.
Get the quarterly price-drop alerts and a re-test reminder when it's time to re-check — roughly one email a quarter.
Common Questions
Direct-pay: $48–$68 for a stool antigen test and $199–$209 for a urea breath test, each plus a $0–$6 checkout fee, verified September 14, 2026. HealthLabs at $48 with no fee was the lowest all-in price. Through a doctor, cost depends on your deductible and whether the office visit is billed separately.
Stool antigen or breath test. Both detect the live bacterium and both are accepted for diagnosis and for confirming a cure. A blood antibody test only shows past exposure and stays positive for years after treatment, so it cannot answer the question you are actually asking.
Yes. Stop proton pump inhibitors for two weeks and antibiotics or bismuth products for four weeks before a stool or breath test, unless your clinician says otherwise. The breath test also requires no food or drink for at least one hour beforehand, and Walk-In Lab lists a longer fast for its version.
The stool antigen sample is collected privately and handed to the lab; the breath test is performed at a Quest or Labcorp patient service center because it involves drinking a urea solution and giving timed breath samples on site.
Lab tests for medical care are generally HSA/FSA-eligible (IRS Publication 502) — check with your plan administrator. HealthLabs accepts HSA/FSA cards at checkout; for other services, pay normally and submit the itemized receipt. Our HSA/FSA lab testing guide covers the mechanics.
Keep Reading
Stool antigen, detects an active infection, accepted for diagnosis and for the cure check. Prices verified September 14, 2026 and re-checked quarterly.
Order the $48 H. Pylori Test at HealthLabs →No fasting · No separate checkout fee · No insurance or doctor visit required · Stop PPIs 2 weeks before