Gut testing is great to consider if your main concerns are digestive discomfort and gut issues.
The GI-MAP test offers an in-depth look at your microbiome, directly from the comfort of your home. Research has shown that gut health is essential for both mental and physical well-being, as the balance of microbes in our gut plays a vital role in immunity, mood, and digestion.
Using advanced DNA technology, the GI-MAP test assesses your microbiome with a single stool sample (yes, a bit of “scoop and send” is involved!). It’s a comprehensive test, designed to identify any microbes that may cause disease or disrupt the natural microbial balance, potentially leading to chronic health issues.
The GI-MAP panel screens for:
- Bacterial imbalances: Identifying both harmful pathogens and opportunistic bacteria that may contribute to symptoms.
- Beneficial flora levels: Evaluating the balance of “good” bacteria crucial for gut health and effective digestion.
- Yeast/fungi, viruses, and parasites: Detecting organisms that could be contributing to digestive discomfort, inflammation, or lowered immunity.
- Digestive and immune markers: Measuring enzyme levels, inflammation, and immune activity to understand your digestive health from all angles.
The GI-MAP can be especially beneficial if you experience:
- Chronic digestive issues (bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation)
- Brain fog, fatigue, or mood swings
- IBS, IBD, or autoimmune conditions
- Skin problems (eczema, acne)
- Gluten intolerance or other food sensitivities
- Recurrent infections or low immune resilience
With a clear snapshot of your gut’s health, the GI-MAP provides personalised insights to help you address these issues at the root, supporting improved energy, mood, and overall wellness.
Check out this video from a previous program I ran, to see how the test can help you.
For information about this test, directly from the lab, CLICK HERE.
GET YOUR GUT TESTED
Your gut is home to trillions of microbes that influence digestion, hormones, energy, immunity, mood, and more. When your gut isn’t balanced, you feel it – in ways that go far beyond digestion alone.
I use Comprehensive Microbiome Mapping or GI-MAP to uncover what’s really happening in your gut. This test looks at bacterial imbalances, parasites, yeast, viruses, and markers of gut inflammation – giving us powerful insight into the root causes of fatigue, bloating, food sensitivities, low immunity, and more.
Gut testing is available as an add-on inside my programs for women who are ready to go deeper. This way, you’re not just handed a lab report – you’re guided through interpretation, supported with a personalised protocol, and coached on how to integrate changes into your life for lasting results.
[Click here to learn more about my programs and how testing can be part of your journey.]
Alternatively, you’re welcome to begin with a standalone gut test if you’re wanting a snapshot of where things are right now.
This option provides valuable data and a recommended protocol but does not include ongoing support. While the results can offer powerful clarity, the deeper shifts usually happen when we explore the why behind those patterns – looking at lifestyle, mindset, and energetics. That’s the work we dive into inside my Radiate from Within program.
THE GI-MAP™ INCLUDES THESE ANALYTES:
• Bacterial Pathogens
• Viral Pathogens
• Parasitic Pathogens
• Parasitic Protozoa
• Parasitic Worms
• Normal Bacterial Flora
• Opportunistic Bacteria
• H. pylori with Virulence Factors
• Fungi/Yeast
• Digestion
• Immune Response
• Inflammation
• Antibiotic Resistance Genes
• Add-on option: Zonulin (Leaky Gut marker)
Pathogens
The GI-MAP includes pathogens (bacterial, parasitic, and viral) commonly known to cause intestinal gastroenteritis. It’s important to note that not all individuals with positive findings for pathogens will present with symptoms. Many factors, including the health of the individual, the transient nature of some pathogens, and the presence and expression of virulence factors all contribute to an individual’s symptoms. Toxins are a type of virulence factor produced by certain pathogens. Since GI-MAP is a DNA-based test, results reflect the levels of pathogenic strains carrying the toxin genes, not the levels of any toxins that may be produced.
Sources of Exposure
To effectively treat infections and prevent reinfection, exposure should be identified and eliminated. Most exposure to pathogens occurs via fecaloral transmission, most often due to use of contaminated water sources or improper hand hygiene. This may include drinking contaminated water, eating raw foods washed in contaminated water or harvested (e.g. shellfish) in contaminated water, or improper handwashing. To remove microorganisms from food, the FDA recommends first washing your hands, running cool water over fruits and vegetables, while rubbing or scrubbing, and then letting them dry out before eating. During treatment, consider all possible sources of fecal transmission: romantic partners, children (especially if in diapers or not toilet-trained), sheets, towels, water source to the home, etc…
H-Pylori
Recent studies have shown that nearly 50% of the world’s population may harbor H. pylori. And, although many carriers are asymptomatic, H. pylori is known to have a causative role in ulcers, chronic gastritis, and stomach cancer. Additionally, in early phases of colonization, patients may experience hypochlorhydria followed by a change to hyper aciduria. Over time, additional H. pylori strains may colonize, including those with Virulence Factors and increased disease potential.
Bacteria
Many bacteria measured on the GI-MAP are considered opportunistic pathogens, as they only cause disease and illness in some individuals, particularly the immune-compromised. Many individuals come into contact with opportunistic bacteria and experience no symptoms. Most sources consider these microbes to be normal in the stool. However, they can cause gastroenteritis and inflammation at high levels in vulnerable patients. Symptoms may include diarrhea, loose stools, abdominal pain, or even constipation. Overgrowth and excessive colonization by opportunistic bacteria may occur when the commensal bacteria are impaired by poor diet, antibiotic use, parasitic infection, or a weakened immune system. When intestinal permeability is present (see zonulin), these microbes could escape the lumen of the gut and infect extraintestinal sites.
Fungi/Yeast
Fungal organisms are commonly found in the human digestive tract, but fungal overgrowth can cause illness in susceptible individuals. Fungal growth may be localized in the body. For instance, Candida spp. may be high in the large intestine but normal in the small intestine, and vice versa. In a patient with suspected fungal overgrowth, additional tests may be necessary to understand the complete picture of fungal overgrowth. Urinary D-arabinitol or antibodies to Candida are sometimes used.
• Common Causes of Yeast Overgrowth Include:
» Antibiotic use
» High intake of sugar, starches, and dietary fungi (beer, bread, nuts, cheese, corn)
» Hypochlorhydria
»Impaired immune function
» Dysbiosis
• Fungi/Yeast Targeted on the GI-MAP
» Candida albicans and Candida spp. – Commensal fungi that can be pathogenic to immunocompromised patients. Causes vaginal yeast infections and can be fatal in systemic infections. May cause diarrhea. Has been suggested to cause a cluster of symptoms including GI complaints, fatigue, and muscle or joint pain but evidence is weak.
» Geotrichum spp. – May cause disease in immunosuppressed patients. Low levels may be a dietary artefact; certain strains are used to make soft cheeses.
» Microsporidia spp. – The GI-MAP specifically detects Encephalitozoon intestinalis, which affects the GI. May cause diarrhea and wasting. Can disseminate
Intestinal Health Markers
Pancreatic Elastase 1
Elastase 1 is a digestive enzyme secreted exclusively by the pancreas, giving a direct indication of pancreatic function. Elastase 1 is unaffected by pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.
• Causes of Low Elastase 1:
» Suppressed pancreatic function
» Gallstones
» Hypochlorhydria, especially if H. pylori present
» Cystic fibrosis
» Low levels may be found in vegetarians/vegans
Steatocrit
Fecal fats are normally emulsified by bile salts and absorbed in the small intestines. High levels of fat in the stool may be an indication of maldigestion, malabsorption, or steatorrhea.
Causes of Elevated Steatocrit:
» Hypochlorhydria
» Maldigestion
» Malabsorption
» Pancreatic insufficiency (see elastase-1)
» Bile salt insufficiency
» Improper mastication
» Celiac disease