As an experienced nutritional therapist, I use a powerful tool in my clinic that helps me unravel the mysteries of gut health: a gut stool test. These tests are like a window into your digestive system, giving us valuable insights into how your gut works and what might be causing any discomfort you're experiencing.
Imagine it like this: your gut is like a garden, and the stool tests are like a special microscope that helps us see all the tiny bugs and plants living in it. By examining these "bugs" and "plants," we can understand if your gut is in balance or if there's something out of balance.
These tests are especially helpful for figuring out the root cause of common issues like gas, bloating, reflux, and tummy troubles, as well as more serious conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. But it doesn't stop there – they can also shed light on problems beyond the gut, like skin issues, allergies, mood swings, and even joint pain and weight concerns.
These tests are really useful if you have had all the appropriate investigations with your health care provider and they have found nothing untoward yet you are still suffering uncomfortable symptoms. The functional stool tests nutritional therapists use are far more detailed than any available on the NHS and it enables us to take a deeper dive into the root cause of your symptoms. I also find these tests really useful to use with children as they can't always describe how they are feeling accurately.
What's really fascinating is that these tests show us just how interconnected our gut health is with the rest of our body. It's like a big, bustling community in there, and when things aren't going well, it can affect our overall health and well-being. But with the help of the GI Stool Tests, we can start to restore balance and get you feeling your best again.
The biomarkers reflect 3 key markers of gut health arranged in the "DIG" format: Digestion/Absorption, Inflammation/Immunology, and the Gut Microbiome:
Digestion/Absorption:
Pancreatic Elastase-1 is a marker of exocrine pancreatic function.
Products of Protein Breakdown are markers of undigested protein reaching the colon.
Feacal Fat is a marker of fat breakdown and absorption.
Inflammation/Immunology:
Calprotectin is a marker of neutrophil-driven inflammation. Produced in abundance at sites of inflammation, this biomarker has been proven clinically useful in differentiating between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). [1,2]
Eosinophil Protein X is a marker of eosinophil-driven inflammation and allergic response.
Feacal Secretory IgA is a marker of gut secretory immunity and barrier function.
Feacal Occult Blood Test detects hidden blood; feacal immunochemical testing (FIT) has been recommended by the American College of Gastroenterology as the preferred noninvasive test for colorectal cancer screening/detection.
Gut Microbiome:
Genova is the first laboratory to introduce an Inflammation-Associated Dysbiosis score and a Methane Dysbiosis score by incorporating our latest, published microbiome data analysis.22
Metabolic indicators, including short-chain fatty acids and beta-glucuronidase, demonstrate specific and vital metabolic functions performed by the microbiota.
Commensal Bacteria demonstrate the composition, abundance and patterns of gut organisms.
More than 95% of commensal gut organisms are anaerobic and are difficult to recover by traditional (aerobic) culture techniques.
GI Effects assesses a set of 24 genera/species that map to 7 major phyla.
16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) amplification technique
Comprehensive microbiome analysis included
Bacterial and mycology cultures demonstrate the presence of specific beneficial and pathogenic organisms.
Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technology is used for limitless bacterial and fungal species identification via culture
Bacterial and mycology sensitivities are provided for pathogenic or potentially pathogenic organisms that have been cultured. The report includes effective prescriptive and natural agents.
Parasitology includes comprehensive testing for all parasites on every parasitology exam ordered.
GI Effects provides microscopic feacal specimen examination for ova and parasites (O&P), the gold standard of diagnosis for many parasites.
6 Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targets detect common protozoal parasites including Blastocystis spp., Cryptosporidium parvum/hominis, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia. PCR for organisms is emerging as a highly sensitive method for infectious organism detection.
Additional Biomarkers Available:
Campylobacter
Clostridium difficile (not available for patients <2 years old, see An Updated Review of Clostridium difficile Treatment in Pediatrics)
Escherichia coli
Helicobacter pylori
Feacal Lactoferrin
Macroscopic Exam for Worms
Zonulin Family Peptide
KOH Preparation for Yeast
Ready to unlock the secrets of your gut health and take control of your well-being? Order your Gut Stool Profiles today and start your journey toward a happier, healthier you! Don't wait – your gut deserves the attention it needs to thrive. Contact Clare at Seed Nutrition to order your test in combination with a consultation.
Please note: This test can only be purchased with a consultation as it requires interpretation of results by a qualified healthcare practitioner.
