Decoding gut testing
What types of digestive health tests are available? How do I know if I should get one? How or where do I go to get tested?
It can be very confusing. If you have visited your primary care physician or gastroenterologist with gut issues they may or may not have mentioned the need for digestive diagnostic tests or procedures like a colonoscopy, endoscopy, enteroscopy, CAT scan or even a barium swallow. While these can be insightful tests for finding diseases or abnormalities they can often come back negative because they aren't always capable of detecting imbalances. Symptoms like bloating, chronic constipation, headaches, skin rashes, mood issues, joint pain, abdominal pain or acid reflux can all occur when your gut microbiome is out of balance. Meaning may have too much or too little of a particular gut bug (bacteria, yeast, parasite or other microbe).
Additional Gut Tests
The kinds of additional or alternative tests you need to determine the cause of your imbalance often will depend on the symptoms you present with, the onset and duration and other healing methods tried.
The right testing will help you determine what you need to focus on to heal your digestive issues and remove frustrating symptoms. Blindly making changes in your food plan and supplementation without testing can sometimes do more harm than good.
There are several other less invasive digestive tests you may want to consider.
1. Food Sensitivity Testing - Food sensitivities have been associated with nutritional deficiencies, diarrhea/constipation, reflux, fatigue, migraines, aching joints and other health concerns. A food sensitivity may result from a type of immune system response that's very different than a food allergy. The two main ways to test are both performed through blood draw. An IgG antibody test measures the antibody response when exposed to a certain food. The other test measures food reaction by stimulating the white blood cells. I find the the ALCAT food sensitivity testing is more thorough and accurate than IgG.
2. Stool Testing - This is really only needed when a modified food plan and supplementation fails to remove your symptoms. All stool testing basically tests the levels of four microbes. Parasites, bacteria, yeast and viruses. There is no shortage of stool tests on the market but, the accuracy level varies widely. Before ordering online you should be checking for third party verification of the test. The newer addition of DNA-PCR stool testing has been great and I definitely tend to lean towards using these. I really like the brands that well known digestive guru Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC recommends.
Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory GI-MAP
Doctor’s Data GI360
Meridian Labs BioFire Diagnostics
Luminex Verigene
BD Technologies BD MAX
3. Microbiome Testing - Similar or even the same as stool testing with the exception that microbiome test can look at additional inflammatory markers and immune system markers as well as the presence of fats, proteins and enzymes in your stool. These can determine if more invasive diagnostic testing is needed by a gastroenterologist or if your body is having trouble with digestion and absorption.
4. Lactulose Breath Test - This testing is specific for bacterial overgrowth in your intestines. It is a breath test performed usually at home over the course of 3 hours. The breath samples are captured after drinking a sugar drink and sent to a lab. If results are positive for methane or hydrogen producing bacteria you can safely conclude that you have SIBO (small intestine bacteria overgrowth). You might consider this testing if you have chronic diarrhea or constipation that is unresponsive to dietary changes or doesn't self resolve after temporary treatment. Additionally, symptoms of extreme bloating, fatigue, gas, joint pains, cramping and mood disturbances are prevalent if you have SIBO.
5. Saliva Test - This testing is mainly performed for hormone levels. This can be of particular interest if you are having issues with extreme fatigue, skin rashes, sleep and gaining or losing weight. I especially like testing for cortisol and adrenal function through saliva tests.
6. Antibody Blood Tests - There are more specific antibody blood tests that can be done to test for the presence of candida and gluten antibodies. This is something that I don't think you need to do unless a modified food plan and supplementation don't get your digestive system back on track. Symptoms for gluten sensitivity/celiac and candida are very broad but would range from headaches and joint pain to skin rashes and irregular bowels.
7. Urine Tests - The use of these tests can vary but, particularly they are useful when the cause of imbalance and symptoms is more vague. The organic acids test (OAT) and the DUTCH hormone tests are both tremendously valuable tests that give insight into the body’s function from the cellular level. When I have clients who have been on their healing journey for a long time and have tried varies rounds of antibiotics or antifungals this is the first place I like to look.
Where can I get these tests performed?
Almost all of these tests can be purchased or completed without a doctors prescription. There are facilities like AnyLabTest Now or online companies like Walk-in-Lab which allow you to search for the panel you would like and order yourself. I HIGHLY recommend you only do this with the help of a qualified health practitioner to determine which test are needed and which are the most reliable and trusted. Getting the results back can be very confusing and you would want a health practitioner you trust to help interpret the results and set you on a path to healing your gut. As a health coach and as a consumer of these test in the past I can attest to the need for help with alternative digestive testing! Curious to learn more or want to jump start your healing journey reach out for a free consultation or my ebook 7 Simple Ways to Strengthen Your Gut Health.
