Gut Health Analysis
GI-MAP Test
Your gut is like a second brain, connected to every system in the body. As a result, improving gut function often has an amazingly positive effect on overall health. But detecting whether your gut microbiome is happy isn’t as simple as watching for stomach upset or heartburn – in fact many of our clients with gut health issues come to us without any digestive symptoms at all.
Thank goodness for the GI-MAP! The Diagnostic Solutions GI-MAP measures the amounts of good and bad germs in your gut, including potentially harmful bugs like H. pylori (the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers) and Candida yeast, as well as gut permeability due to leaky gut syndrome. The GI-MAP offers a groundbreaking improvement over previous microbiome testing techniques, helping you and your health practitioner pinpoint the root cause of digestive issues, as well as a host of other health challenges.
What is a GI-MAP test and how does it work?
The Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP™) stool test by Diagnostic Solutions can determine which microbes are present in a stool sample and in what quantities. The GI-MAP works by repeatedly copying any DNA in the sample you provide, then analyzing which DNA and how much is present.
By comparison, traditional testing looks at a tiny sample under a microscope, making it easy to miss germs that are present in small quantities. Because GI-MAP stool testing works on a DNA level, the test is able to find bacteria in amounts as low as one cell per 10 grams.
You can easily take the GI-MAP test at home. Your Ann Arbor Holistic Health practitioner will help you order a GI-MAP test, and the lab will mail a kit with easy instructions directly to your doorstep, so you can complete the test in the comfort of your own home. When you’re finished, you mail the completed test back to the lab using the included prepaid envelope. It’s quick, convenient, and simple.
What does a GI-MAP test show?
The GI-MAP looks at all of the possible reasons your gut is unhappy – it’s like 85 tests in one! It can show you whether your gut is able to do its job and if not, why not. You may get insight about parasites, bacteria, yeast, how well you’re digesting your food, how your immune system is doing (since at least 70% of your immune system is in your digestive tract), and whether there’s inflammation in your gut.
Your practitioner can help review your test results to spot imbalances and invaders in your gut flora. For example, certain organisms which are common in healthy individuals, such as Candida, can cause health problems if they are present in excess. This is a condition known as dysbiosis, and Candida in particular can cause many chronic issues, such as fatigue, rashes, joint pain, constipation, and diarrhea.
The GI-MAP also provides details about certain non-microbial factors, including digestive proteins which are considered especially good signs of digestive function and immune health. Too many or too few of these proteins can indicate a range of gut issues, such as IBS or leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky gut syndrome is an especially important part of the GI-MAP test, as it is both increasingly common and still poorly understood by traditional medicine. Leaky gut is a problem with the lining of the intestines which lets germs and undigested food into the bloodstream and can cause bloating, gas, cramps, and food sensitivities.
Yes! The GI-MAP is one of our favorite tests. The gut is the control center for the whole body, and the GI-MAP is an extremely valuable tool in understanding your personal health needs.
Poor gut health can certainly cause the common digestive problems you’d expect, like bloating, heartburn, constipation, and diarrhea. However, many of our clients with major gut health issues have zero digestive symptoms; instead, they come with systemic symptoms like headaches, joint pain, and fatigue. And if left unchecked for too long, poor gut health can lead to chronic nutrient weaknesses, hormone imbalance, mood issues, and a dysfunctional immune system.
An impressive volume of scientific research shows that gut health is key in maintaining proper immune, hormonal, neurological, endocrine, and metabolic function. Analyzing your gut microbiome is often essential to uncovering the root cause of chronic, frustrating symptoms, and the sensitivity and validity of GI-MAP results are unparalleled.
Is a GI-MAP test worth it?
How much does a GI-MAP test cost?
While GI-MAP stool testing is not covered by insurance, the GI-MAP test price is affordable, and the results are consistently helpful in finding the root cause of symptoms and creating a customized holistic health plan.
GI-MAP Test Near Me
GI-MAP testing begins with a free Comprehensive Consultation & Evaluation, either online or in person at our practice in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Your Ann Arbor Holistic Health practitioner will spend 45 minutes with you to learn about your symptoms, health history, and needs to see if GI-MAP gut analysis testing makes sense for you.
The GI-MAP is one of our most commonly ordered tests because it gives us so much great insight into what is actually going on inside of you. You may benefit from gut health analysis if you’re experiencing any of the following:
Acid reflux or heartburn
Allergies
Autoimmune diseases
Brain fog
Celiac disease
Crohn’s disease
Depression or anxiety
Diarrhea or constipation
Headaches
IBS/IBD
Joint pain
Ulcerative colitis
Skin problems, like acne or psoriasis
An important note: The GI-MAP test provides an overview of the entire gut biome. By itself, it only catalogs what living things are in your digestive tract, and this information is not helpful without years of education in functional nutrition. However, a knowledgeable practitioner can use that information to create a customized, comprehensive wellness plan.
Contact Ann Arbor Holistic Health today to learn more about the GI-MAP stool test and whether it’s right for you.
