GI Map stool test – The gold standard in stool testing
The GI Map stool test is the most comprehensive stool test available and one I recommend most in clinic. The GI Map stool test uses superior DNA and PCR technology to analyse the sample.
Stool testing provides an excellent insight into the overall function of the gastrointestinal tract and also gives clues as to why many seemingly unrelated systemic symptoms are occurring. These include fatigue, skin issues, anxiety and depression, brain fog, bloating and many more.
Stool testing is done in the convenience of your home and returned to the lab via the provided packaging and express postal bag.
The GI map stool test provides a detailed microbiome mapping outline of the levels of a wide variety of bacteria, viruses, parasites, worms, fungi and yeasts. Understanding the presence and levels of these types of organisms is vital in assessing the function of the gut and its association with the other systems of the body.
We commonly uncover the presence of parasites, high levels of dysbiotic bacteria, low levels of beneficial bacteria as well as poor digestion markers in patients. The presence of these markers can greatly affect the overall health of the patient.
Symptoms regularly associated with abnormal stool test findings include;
| Gut Symptoms | Related Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Diarrhea | Fatigue |
| Constipation | Brain fog |
| Bloating | Aches and pains |
| Excess AGs | Anxiety and depression |
| Indigestion / Heartburn | Autoimmune disease |
| Cramping | Skin disorders such as acne |
| Food Sensitivities | Hypothyroidism |
Some of the more common parasites, yeasts and dysbiotic bacteria found include:
Parasites
lastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli, and Cryptosporidium
Dysbiotic bacteria species at higher levels
Pseudomonas species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus, Morganella species, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium
Potential Auto-immune triggering bacteria
Citrobacter species, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella species, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Prevotella copri and Proteus species
Fungi and Yeast
Candida species, Candida albicans, Geotrichum species, Microsporidium species and Rhodotorula species.
Bacterial pathogens
Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter, C. difficile, Salmonella, E. coli O157 and Yersinia enterocolitica
Viral pathogens
Adenovirus 40/41, Norovirus GI/II
Beneficial bacteria
Bifidobacterium species, Lactobacillus species, Enterococcus species, Bacteroides fragilis, Enterobacter species
The GI Map test also provides a thorough list of functional markers. They provide a great assessment of the overall function of the gut and efficiency of the overall gastrointestinal tract. These markers include.
Calprotectin
A marker that assesses inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Neutrophil releases calprotectin protein, one of the white blood cells in the body. Neutrophils become present in the gastrointestinal tract in the presence of inflammation. Then they release calprotectin, that further results in an increased level of calprotectin in the stool.
Pancreatic elastase
It provides feedback on the functioning of the pancreas and the body’s ability to produce sufficient enzymes for digestion. Common symptoms that occur with low pancreatic elastase are loose watery stools, undigested food in the stools, floating stools. It can also lead to post-prandial abdominal pain, nausea or colicky abdominal pain, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, bloating or food intolerance.
Faecal Secretory IgA
Production of Secretory IgA is important to the normal function of the gastrointestinal mucosa as an immune barrier. It represents the first line immune defence of the gastrointestinal tract.
Upregulated immune response associates elevated levels of secretory IgA .
Low levels of Secretory IgA are often present where bacterial overgrowth, parasites and/or food intolerances are present that have caused damage to the mucosa lining. In order to bind invading micro-organisms, there is mucosa lining. It depletes with higher numbers of dysbiotic bacteria, parasites and regular exposure to intolerant foods. Food intolerances progress and become wider spread the lower the levels of secretory IgA.
Zonulin
A small protein that is produced in the gut. It has a biomarker of intestinal permeability, also known as “leaky gut”. High levels of zonulin in the stool sample indicate the presence of a compromised gastrointestinal tract wall.
The significance of intestinal permeability is widespread, compromised tight gap junctions in the intestinal barrier begin to allow a much higher amount of protein molecules through to the blood stream which begin to trigger the immune system. Long term implications can lead to the development of autoimmune disease. Further on, leaky gut will slowly cause additional foods to become intolerant and reaction to the point where there a many foods that cannot be tolerated by the patient.
Beta-Glucoronidase
It is an enzyme produced in the beneficial E-coli in the gastrointestinal tract. High levels of beta-glucoronidase can inhibit phase two of liver detoxification, a process known as conjugation. This is where substances are converted to water soluble compounds and made available for elimination by the body.
High beta glucoronidase interferes not only with the clearance of toxins but also hormones, namely Estrogen. The estrogen and toxins do not clear and are therefore reabsorbed. Thus, leading to toxic overload, inflammation and estrogen dominance. High levels of estrogen can be related to breast cancer as well as PMS symptoms and a poorly regulated menstruation cycle.
The GI Map test is the gold standard of stool testing and the most common test we use in our clinic. Many symptoms and underlying disease causes can be explained and treated through correctly interpreting the results from the GI Map stool test.
GI Map test Pricing
The GI Map stool test is $450, plus $25 to cover postage to and from the lab. Our clinic will release results. They further typically take 4 weeks to return from date of order.
To order a GI Map stool test, please contact our clinic.
It is advisable to have an initial appointment with one of our practitioners prior to ordering any testing to determine the right level of testing required. It might require further testing based on your presenting symptoms and health concerns.