According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by digestive diseases. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which stretches about 30 feet from mouth to anus, plays a crucial role in overall health.

GI health is linked to various chronic conditions. A study by the Rome Foundation found that over 40% of people experience gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Testing for GI health is vital in integrative and functional medicine, especially for addressing disorders such as allergies, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases.

Common gastrointestinal symptoms include:

  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Bloating and gas
  • Blood in stool or vomiting blood
  • Abdominal pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Changes in appetite
  • Unintentional weight loss

Identifying the underlying causes of these symptoms is crucial, as some may indicate serious conditions like cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.

What Do Gastrointestinal Tests Measure?

Gastrointestinal tests typically analyze stool samples to evaluate digestive function, assess the microbiome, identify inflammation, and detect organisms such as parasites, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Additionally, blood, urine, and breath samples may also be analyzed.

Here are some common gastrointestinal tests:

GI-MAP + Zonulin (Stool)

The GI-MAP is a detailed stool test that uses qPCR technology to detect parasites, bacteria, fungi, and more, enabling practitioners to design personalized treatment plans for gut dysfunction. It also includes an add-on for zonulin, a marker for leaky gut, providing further insights into intestinal health. Results typically become available within a specific timeframe after sample receipt.

Adenovirus 40/41

Akkermansia muciniphila

Ancylostoma duodenale

Anti-Gliadin IgA

Ascaris lumbricoides

Bacillus spp.

Bacteroides fragilis

Bacteroidetes

Beta-Glucuronidase

Bifidobacterium spp.

Blastocystis hominis

C. difficile Toxin A

C. difficile Toxin B

Calprotectin

Campylobacter spp.

Candida albicans

Candida spp.

Chilomastix mesnili

Citrobacter freundii

Citrobacter spp.

Cryptosporidium spp.

Cyclospora spp.

Cytomegalovirus

Desulfovibrio spp.

Dientamoeba fragilis

E. coli O157

Endolimax nana

Entamoeba coli

Entamoeba histolytica

Enterobacter spp.

Enterococcus faecalis

Enterococcus faecium

Enterococcus spp.

Enterohemorrhagic E. coli

Enteroinvasive E. coli/Shigella

Enterotoxigenic E. coli

Eosinophil Protein X

Epstein-Barr Virus

Escherichia spp.

F/B Ratio

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii

Firmicutes

Fusobacterium spp.

Geotrichum spp.

Giardia

H. pylori

H. pylori Antibiotic Resistance Genes

H. pylori Virulence Factor babA

H. pylori Virulence Factor cagA

H. pylori Virulence Factor dupA

H. pylori Virulence Factor iceA

H. pylori Virulence Factor oipA

H. pylori Virulence Factor vacA

H. pylori Virulence Factor virB

H. pylori Virulence Factor virD

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella spp.

Lactobacillus spp.

M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis

Methanobacteriaceae

Microsporidium spp.

Morganella spp.

Necator americanus

Norovirus GI

Norovirus GII

Occult Blood

Pancreatic Elastase 1

Pentatrichomonas hominis

Prevotella spp.

Proteus mirabilis

Proteus spp.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas spp.

Rhodotorula spp.

Roseburia spp.

SIgA

Salmonella spp.

Shiga-like Toxin E. coli stx1

Shiga-like Toxin E. coli stx2

Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus spp.

Steatocrit

Streptococcus spp.

Taenia spp.

Trichuris trichiura

Vibrio cholerae

Yersinia enterocolitica

Zonulin

 

Results: Typically available within 2-3 business days after sample receipt.

Note: This service is self-pay only and not eligible for insurance claims, including Medicare/Medicaid.

SIBO Breath Test – Glucose (Breath)

This test detects Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), indicated by bacteria levels exceeding 1000 organisms/mL. Symptoms may include nausea, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, malnutrition, weight loss, and malabsorption. The test includes a glucose substrate and measures:

  • Hydrogen
  • Methane

Results: Typically available within 7-10 business days after sample receipt.
Note: This service is self-pay only and not eligible for insurance claims, including Medicare/Medicaid.

Organic Acids (OAT) (Urine)

The Microbial Organic Acids Test (MOAT) measures markers for beneficial bacteria, harmful bacteria, Clostridia species, Candida species, yeast and fungal metabolites, and general markers of dysbiosis. A subset of the OAT, the MOAT is ideal as a follow-up to the OAT and may be recommended by practitioners looking for a specific abnormality, to monitor certain microbial balances, or to assess treatment efficacy.

Key Biomarkers:

  • 2-Hydroxyhippuric Acid
  • 2-Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid
  • 3-Indoleacetic Acid
  • 3-OH-3-Methylglutaric Acid
  • 3-Oxoglutaric Acid
  • 4-Cresol
  • 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
  • 4-Hydroxyhippuric Acid
  • 4-Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid
  • 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furoic Acid
  • Arabinose
  • Carboxycitric Acid
  • Citramalic Acid
  • Creatinine
  • DHPPA
  • Furan-2,5-dicarboxylic Acid
  • Furancarbonylglycine
  • HPHPA
  • Hippuric Acid
  • Tartaric Acid
  • Tricarballylic Acid

Results: Typically available within 7-10 business days after sample receipt.
Note: This service is self-pay only and not eligible for insurance claims, including Medicare/Medicaid.

In addition to gastrointestinal health tests, a physical examination, lab blood work, health history, symptom history, and a food diary can provide valuable insights. Depending on the symptoms and results, further testing such as medical imaging or endoscopy may be necessary.

Treatment Plans
Maintaining gut health is essential for overall wellness and can aid in managing gut disorders and chronic conditions. Common treatment plans may include:

  • Lifestyle Changes: Incorporating regular exercise, dietary adjustments, and stress reduction techniques.
  • Supplements: Using digestive enzymes, L-glutamine, and probiotics to enhance gut function and reduce inflammation.
  • Dietary Focus: Eating a fiber-rich diet with probiotics, while limiting processed foods and incorporating anti-inflammatory options.
  • Avoiding Triggers: Reducing or eliminating foods and beverages that worsen gastrointestinal symptoms, such as high-sugar items, alcohol, and processed foods.

References

  1. https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/importance-digestion-chronic-disease/#:~:text=In%20functional%20medicine%2C%20the%20GI,mucosal%20barrier%2C%20and%20immune%20system.
  2. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/digestive-diseases
  3. https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/relationship-gut-health/
  4. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7040-gastrointestinal-diseases
  5. https://www.rupahealth.com/post/a-functional-medicine-approach-to-healthy-gut-in-older-adults
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9549910/#:~:text=A%20large%2Dscale%2