Understanding Gut Health and Microbiome

Microbiome refers to the collective community of microorganisms living in a particular environment. The human gut microbiome specifically encompasses the bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. The gut microbiome contains trillions of microbes, including over 1000 bacterial species playing crucial roles in health. These microbes regulate digestion, calibrate the immune system, produce important nutrients and vitamins, and impact mood and behavior. Good gut health involves microbial diversity, a balance of beneficial and pathogenic microbes, and proper gut barrier function so microbes and toxins don't leak into the body. When the microbiome becomes imbalanced or gut barrier function is impaired, it can lead to inflammation, autoimmune diseases, gastrointestinal issues like IBS and IBD, infections, nutritional deficiencies, and more. It identifies precise strains, diversity and ratios of microorganisms that give insight into gut health status and related disease states based on microbial activity.

Gut Health and Microbiome

What is a Microbiome Test?

A gut microbiome test offers a comprehensive snapshot of the trillions of bacteria, viruses and other microbes in the digestive tract.

The innovative GI360 gut microbiome test offers valuable insights about specific microbial imbalances, enabling healthcare providers to implement targeted treatment plans aimed at resolving gastrointestinal symptoms and restoring optimal gut health. Doctors also provide supportive counseling and resources for coping with chronic gut conditions as part of a comprehensive care approach.

Which Microbiome is Tested?

The extensive GI360 analysis profiles over 45 microbes including beneficial bacteria and potential pathogens, calprotectin and elastase biomarkers to assess inflammation and digestion status, and calculates a dysbiosis index score to gauge microbiome balance. Succinctly, the panel examines pathogens, inflammation and impaired function related to an imbalanced gut microbiome.

The breath and scope of this testing provides a comprehensive overview of both the bacterial and fungal components of the gut microbiome while also assessing key markers related to inflammation and digestive function.

Who Should Consider This Test?

If you suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms like chronic diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or abdominal pain, the GI360 test can help diagnose underlying issues like IBS, SIBO, and food intolerances.

If you have inflammation-related problems such as joint pain, autoimmune diseases, or unexplained skin conditions, dysbiosis found on the GI360 test may reveal contributing gut imbalances driving systemic inflammation.

If you experience fatigue, have a family history of gastrointestinal cancers, have had repeat antibiotics, or eat a highly processed diet, the GI360 test evaluates how these factors influence microbiome diversity and function.

Overall, if you have digestive issues, inflammation, chronic fatigue, or concerns due to dietary and lifestyle factors, getting a GI360 microbiome analysis can provide your healthcare provider valuable insights to guide appropriate treatment approaches for optimal gut health.

How is the Test Performed?

To perform the GI360 gut microbiome test, patients collect a stool sample at home over 3 consecutive days or within 1 week, following the provided instructions. The sample can be stored at home until ready to be shipped to the lab for analysis.

Symptoms and Risk Factors

If you have symptoms aligned with gastrointestinal, psychological, inflammatory, or metabolic issues coupled with any of these risk factors, the GI360 test provides invaluable clinical insights into the connections with gut microbiome balance and function.

    Symptoms

    • Changes in bowel movements
    • Unexplained weight changes
    • Chronic fatigue
    • Skin irritation like rashes, eczema
    • Joint pain and inflammation
    • Food intolerances or sensitivities
    • Deficiencies in nutrients/vitamins
    • Anxiety, depression and other mood disorders
    • Digestive issues: gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain

    Risk Factors

    • Exposure to toxins in food or environment
    • Family history of gastrointestinal diseases
    • Diets high in processed foods, fat, sugar and low in fiber
    • Significant antibiotic use that can disrupt gut flora
    • Gastrointestinal diseases like IBS, IBD, celiac or cancers
    • Inflammatory issues such as autoimmune disorders
    • Neurological conditions including autism and Parkinson’s

Discover the Power of the GI360 Profile Test with Internal Healing & Wellness MD

At Internal Healing & Wellness MD, understanding your gut health is a game-changer. The GI360 Profile Test offers detailed insights, enabling our clinicians to make informed treatment choices.

Join us in this journey towards optimal health. Contact Internal Healing & Wellness MD today, and let's unlock the potential of your gut health together.

Understanding Your GI360 Test Results

Our clinical team adeptly interprets the precise lab data to help patients understand the implications of their unique gut health profile. Equipping practitioners with clarity around personalized dysbiosis and microbiome diversity analysis supports targeted nutritional and lifestyle treatment plans. We consider knowledgeable interpretation of the extensive data within GI360 test results key for developing constructive solutions supporting patient health goals related to resolving gastrointestinal symptoms and conditions.

Preparing for The Microbiome Test

Getting ready for the at-home stool sample collection requires minimal preparation to ensure optimal test results. The test kit includes detailed instructions guiding patients through the quick and convenient sampling procedure. No dietary restrictions are necessary before testing, however, certain medications may need to be stopped temporarily to prevent potential interference.

Analytes Tested

  • Acinetobacter junii
  • Actinobacteria
  • Actinomycetales
  • Akkermansia muciniphila
  • Alistipes onderdonkii
  • Alistipes spp.
  • Bacilli Class
  • Bacteroides fragili
  • Bacteroides pectinophilus
  • Bacteroides spp.
  • Bacteroides stercoris
  • Bifidobacterium spp.
  • Catenibacterium mitsuokai
  • Clostridia Class
  • Clostridium methylpentosum
  • Bacteroides zoogleoformans
  • Coprobacillus cateniformis
  • Dialister invisus
  • Dorea spp.
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Escherichia spp.
  • Eubacterium biforme
  • Eubacterium hallii
  • Eubacterium rectale
  • Eubacterium siraeum
  • Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
  • Firmicutes
  • Lachnospiraceae
  • Bacteroides spp. & Prevotella spp.
  • Lactobacillus spp.
  • Mycoplasma hominis
  • Parabacteroides johnsonii
  • Phascolarctobacterium spp.
  • Proteobacteria
  • Ruminococcus albus & R. bromii
  • Ruminococcus gnavus
  • Veillonella spp.
  • Streptococcus spp.
  • Streptococcus agalactiae & Eubacterium rectale
  • Streptococcus salivarius ssp.thermophilus
  • Dialister invisus & Megasphaera micronuciformis
  • Lactobacillus ruminis & Pediococcus acidilactici
  • Streptococcus salivarius ssp.thermophilus & S. sanguinis

Frequently Asked Questions

The GI360 performs its analysis on an at-home stool sample that the patient collects over 3 consecutive days or within a one week period using the provided test kit materials. Easy-to-follow collection instructions are included.

No dietary restrictions or fasting is necessary beforehand. Patients should follow any guidance from their doctor regarding temporarily stopping medications/supplements that could impact results. Otherwise, continue normal diet and activities.

Most test results are available within 5-7 business days after the lab receives your sample. However, additional confirmatory testing can extend that timeframe in some cases.

Diet, medication use, illness, lifestyle habits and environmental exposures to pathogens through travel, contaminated water or toxins can all influence the types of microbes in your GI tract short and long term.

Book Your Consultation Today

During your first 60-minute functional televisit, we will try to figure out what’s causing your current health problems. Contact us today at Internal Healing and Wellness MD in the Houston area and The Woodlands, we will make sure to provide you with a personalized functional medicine-based treatment plan so that you can begin working towards your goal of a better, healthier life.

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Start Your Holistic Wellness Journey Today

In search of a functional medicine doctor in The Woodlands? Dr. Khan and his experienced team are at your service, ready to help you make life-changing strides toward your health and wellness goals.

Our Location

Our Location

255 Ed English Dr
Suite A
Shenandoah, TX 77385

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Our Schedule

9AM-5PM Monday - Friday

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For functional medicine inquiries, contact our experienced functional medicine doctors. We take a holistic approach to improving health and well-being.