How Often Does SIBO Recur?

Why This Common Condition Keeps Coming Back

Understanding the frustrating cycle of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and what you can do about it

If you've been diagnosed with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), you're not alone— the condition affects roughly one-third of people with irritable bowel syndrome, over half of those with hypothyroidism, and nearly 30% of individuals with diabetes.

But here's what many patients and even some healthcare providers don't fully appreciate: SIBO has a notorious tendency to return, even after successful treatment.

As an integrative medicine physician, I've witnessed the frustration this creates for patients who follow treatment protocols to the letter, experience initial relief, only to find their symptoms returning months later. Understanding why SIBO recurs—and what we can do about it—is crucial for anyone dealing with this challenging condition.