How to Use the GI360 Test to Diagnose Gut Health Issues

A healthy gastrointestinal system performs necessary roles in digestion, nutrient absorption, waste removal, and immunity, so when a digestive imbalance occurs, the repercussions can be extensive. That’s where stool testing comes in as a helpful tool in identifying the root issue. Advanced stool testing delivers comprehensive insights to support targeted interventions. Specifically, the innovative GI360 test characterizes microbiome populations, detects pathogens, reveals metabolic byproducts, and measures additional biomarkers to provide personalized guidance.

As a comprehensive profile, the GI360 analyzes overall gut ecology and numerous parameters to determine optimal function versus dysregulation. PCR identifies bacterial distribution and viruses or parasites, and cultures further specify beneficial microbes versus overgrown yeast or bacteria. Microscopy investigates parasitic infection risks. Calprotectin, short-chain fatty acids, immunoglobulins, and other essential chemistry markers are also evaluated.

This high-definition assessment clarifies connections between the intestinal ecosystem and immunity, inflammation cascades, systemic metabolism, and even mental health to explain symptoms. Patients receive individualized care plans, dietary adjustments, and supplemental recommendations for sustaining balance. Monitoring treatment progress with retesting confirms microbiome equilibrium restoration and resolution of discomfort.

For those seeking enhanced wellness through balanced digestion, the extensive GI360 profile can offer powerful insights into personalized gut and microbiome dynamics. It’s never been easier to customize your intestinal health treatment and receive tailored support.

What Does the GI360 Test Evaluate?

The GI360 offers an incredibly comprehensive analysis of gut health and the microbiome. It utilizes several key methodologies to provide detailed insights. Let’s take a look at what this encompasses.

PCR Analysis
This technology allows for an in-depth evaluation of the diversity and abundance of bacterial populations in the gastrointestinal tract. Specific bacterial groups that reside in a healthy microbiome are analyzed and compared to reference ranges. This includes beneficial commensal bacteria as well as potentially problematic dysbiotic bacteria. The relative proportions provide meaningful information about balance and imbalance.

Pathogen Detection
In addition to bacterial populations, PCR analysis also identifies the presence of major pathogenic viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and intestinal parasites. These pathogens can cause infection and inflammation and negatively impact gut health.

Parasitology Microscopy
An expanded microscopic evaluation detects parasitic organisms including nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, and protozoa. Certain parasites may not shed eggs or cysts continuously, so multi-sample collection enhances detection.

Bacterial and Fungal Cultures
Using cultures to grow out and isolate bacteria and yeast provides additional information about the organisms present. Once isolated, standardized antimicrobial susceptibility testing can also be performed. This is key for determining the most suitable treatment approach.

Stool Chemistry Markers
Calprotectin, lactoferrin, digestive enzymes, and other biomarkers are measured to evaluate levels of inflammation and to assess digestion adequacy. Beneficial byproducts of bacterial metabolism are also evaluated.

The GI360 test provides considerable detail on numerous parameters related to gut health, which supports personalized, targeted interventions to restore proper microbial balance.

Who Should Consider the GI360 Test?

Due to the comprehensive nature of the evaluation, the GI360 test can provide value to a wide range of patients with digestive complaints or other conditions related to the microbiome and gut health.

Individuals Suffering from Digestive Issues
For those experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea, the GI360 test can help determine underlying causes. It is extremely beneficial for those diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and other conditions. By pinpointing triggers for dysfunction, appropriate personalized treatment plans can be developed.

Patients with Systemic Symptoms
Research continues to highlight the connections between gut microbes and aspects of physiological function throughout the body. Those struggling with fatigue, skin conditions like eczema, joint pain, migraines, anxiety and depression, weight concerns, and autoimmunity may want to consider GI360 testing for insights.

General Screening for Microbiome Balance
Some individuals choose to pursue GI360 testing even without showing symptoms. Screening for microbial balance, inflammation, and optimal diversity provides an understanding of overall gut health, which allows for the identification of potential areas to address to maintain good health and wellness. Guidance on probiotic selection and dietary modulation to best support specific microbiome characteristics can also be provided by healthcare providers.

The expansive scope of the GI360 test enables it to benefit virtually all patients who want to understand and optimize their gastrointestinal function. By choosing this thorough evaluation, meaningful and actionable information is provided to develop targeted treatment plans for restoring gut health.

What Is Involved in Getting Tested?

The GI360 test involves collecting stool samples at home over three days and shipping them to the laboratory for analysis. This allows for patient convenience while also providing an extensive evaluation. Patients receive a comprehensive test kit that contains clearly outlined instructions, all materials needed for collecting samples, storage components, and a shipping box to return the samples.

Careful attention should be paid to the preparation guidelines before beginning the test. Patients are instructed on any dietary restrictions or supplements to avoid in the days leading up to the collection. Medications like antibiotics, antifungals, probiotics, digestive enzymes, antacids, and protease inhibitors can impact results and may need to be stopped 2-4 weeks prior.

The test requires collecting multiple samples over three consecutive days. Sampling from different areas of the same bowel movement enhances the representation of the microbiome environment. Each specimen is immediately mixed with proprietary stabilization liquid to preserve integrity.

Depending on the day of collection, the stabilized samples are stored either refrigerated or frozen. This ensures the best accuracy for the eventual analyses. Once collected, the frozen samples are packed in an insulated shipping box with frozen gel packs and shipped overnight to ensure preservation during transport to the processing laboratory.

Though sample collection takes three days, patient effort is minimal. Clear instructions make in-home self-collection simple. The comprehensive stabilization, storage, transport, and analysis procedures implemented allow the GI360 test to provide detailed and meaningful information on an extensive array of gut health parameters.

How The GI360 Test Provides Valuable Insights

As displayed, the GI360 test offers tremendous benefits for gaining a deeper understanding of individual gut health and guiding personalized interventions.

By examining multiple parameters through PCR testing, cultures, microscopy, and stool chemistry markers, a comprehensive overview of intestinal wellness is provided. Beneficial and potentially problematic organisms are identified, and digestion and inflammation status are revealed. These insights provide connections of present symptoms and conditions to underlying gastrointestinal contributors. Patients can achieve clarity around the root causes of discomfort, fatigue, skin changes, food sensitivities, pain, and other issues.

Additionally, those currently asymptomatic can gather useful perspectives on optimal dietary approaches and supplemental probiotic regimens for sustaining intestinal wellness based on their unique microbiome characteristics. The GI360 test gives healthcare providers the tools to design tailored treatment plans that may incorporate elimination diets, antifungals, antimicrobials, prokinetics, spore-based probiotics, prebiotics, and other interventions.

Monitoring patient progress using GI360 testing allows for the verification that dysbiotic organisms have been eradicated and beneficial commensal bacteria restored, facilitating the maintenance of equilibrium.

For individuals seeking enhanced gastrointestinal and overall health, the clinical utility and value demonstrated by this advanced stool profiling should not be underestimated. The intricate insights and personalized direction made possible by the detailed ecosystem investigation elevate GI360 testing as a leading option.

Get GI360 Testing at Internal Healing and Wellness MD

In summary, the innovative GI360 test offers insights into gastrointestinal health and the microbiome that wouldn’t otherwise be uncovered. By utilizing PCR analysis, pathogen detection, parasitology microscopy, bacterial/fungal cultures, and stool chemistry markers, this advanced stool profiling thoroughly examines parameters related to optimal function versus dysregulation. The comprehensive overview of intestinal health clarifies connections between gut imbalance and immunity, inflammation, metabolism, mental health, and more to explain systemic symptoms.

For those seeking enhanced wellness through balanced digestion and an understanding of the root causes of symptoms, the GI360 test at Internal Healing and Wellness MD delivers powerful insights. As a functional medicine clinic focusing on underlying contributors, Internal Healing and Wellness MD can provide patients with tailored testing, treatment, and support. Get started optimizing your gut health and overall well-being through the intestinal ecosystem investigation of the GI360 profile. Discover the personalized solutions available through advanced stool testing and functional medicine today.