Confirm Whether Reflux Is Behind Your Symptoms. From Home.

Peptest is a relatively recent clinical tool, developed by RD Biomed in collaboration with clinical and technical researchers across multiple countries. It has been validated through peer-reviewed studies in NHS voice clinics (notably Dettmar et al. 2019, n=1,033) and is used in ENT and gastroenterology clinics in the UK, USA, Europe, China and India.

NHS GP awareness of newer diagnostic tests typically lags hospital adoption by years, and routine GP use varies by region and specialty. Many GPs encounter Peptest results for the first time when a patient orders independently and brings the included GP summary letter to their appointment.

Your result is designed for exactly that conversation — giving your doctor the clinical context to act on your result without needing to be familiar with the test beforehand.

In the largest published UK clinical study (Dettmar et al. 2019, five NHS voice clinics, n=1,033), Peptest demonstrated 100% specificity — every positive result confirmed genuine reflux, with zero false positives. Sensitivity across published studies ranges from 73% to 87%, reflecting the episodic nature of reflux rather than a limitation of the test: if no reflux occurs during the collection window, there is no pepsin to detect. Peptest uses highly specific monoclonal antibody technology to detect human pepsin in saliva. It is a CE-marked in-vitro diagnostic device validated in peer-reviewed research.

We recommend discussing this with your doctor first. Testing while on medication can be clinically valuable — a positive result despite treatment indicates your current regimen may need reviewing. Testing off medication shows the underlying level of reflux. Both approaches yield useful clinical data. Importantly, Peptest detects pepsin rather than acid — unlike pH monitoring, it can identify reflux even when acid is suppressed by PPIs.

The key difference is the morning (on-waking) sample included in the 3-sample kit. This sample is collected before eating, drinking or brushing teeth and is specifically designed to detect nocturnal or positional reflux — reflux that occurs during sleep, which is often the underlying cause of throat symptoms, morning hoarseness, and chronic morning cough. The 2-sample kit collects samples after symptoms and after meals, focusing on daytime reflux. For most patients — particularly those with throat symptoms or any morning symptoms — the 3-sample kit provides a more complete picture and is the kit used in NHS clinical settings.

Yes — Peptest is available in over 40 countries. International orders are sent using FedEx International Priority, with a prepaid FedEx return airway bill included so your samples travel back to us just as efficiently. We are unable to deliver to Mexico or PO Box addresses. US customers should order via our US distribution partner, The Reflux Company, at refluxcompany.com. New Zealand customers should use our NZ distribution partner at peptest.co.nz.

No — you can order Peptest directly from peptest.co.uk without a GP referral. Peptest is used in selected NHS and private ENT and gastroenterology practices, but it is not universally available on NHS prescription. Ordering directly gives you fast, self-funded access without waiting for a specialist appointment. Your results include a GP summary letter so you can present your findings at any follow-up appointment — or share them with your existing specialist.