All the essential details you should know about a microbiome test
Microbiomes refer to the millions of bacteria and microorganisms like viruses and fungi in your gut. Most live in the cecum, an organ that connects the small intestines to the colon.
They keep you healthy by improving digestion, stimulating the immune system, and enabling the body to absorb vitamins and amino acids. They also stabilize the blood sugar and help you maintain a healthy heart.
However, the growth of harmful microbes in the gut leads to diseases like high cholesterol, increased blood sugar, type 2 diabetes, and atopy. A microbiome test helps doctors recognize the reasons behind the illnesses and determine the proper treatment.
But what do these tests involve, the testing method, and other details you should know? Continue reading to find out.
Symptoms of an unhealthy gut
An unhealthy gut infested with bad microbiomes results in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut, bloating, fatigue, allergies, weakness, diarrhea, and allergies. It can also cause various health complications, affecting your quality of life. You might experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constant tiredness, and even suffer from skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
What is a microbiome mapping test?
The test lets doctors determine an individual’s gut conditions from a single stool sample. It helps them identify harmful organisms which cause diseases and disrupt the normal functioning of the GI flora.
Besides identifying the diseases, the tests are also helpful for screening parasites, opportunistic pathogens, pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Types of tests
Although the tests involve an individual’s stool sample, these are usually of two types: one looks for markers or indications, while the other consists of the extraction of DNA.
Professionals who test for markers use stool samples to look for bacteria. They grow it in their laboratory upon finding it, generally on Petri dishes.
Extracting the DNA from the stool, the other method, helps medical practitioners understand the types of bacteria, their numbers, and related details.
Some information about the analytes
Analytes refer to the chemical substance that a test seeks to identify. Those involving microbiomes look for bacteria, worms, parasites, beneficial gut flora, and firmicutes.
They also identify fecal markers like zonulin, fecal occult blood, calprotectin, and pancreatic elastase. Other substances it identifies are short-chain fatty acids, including propionate, valerate, and acetate.
Which methods are used for the test?
Most testing facilities usually carry out the test using the qPCR-Quantitative test, ELISA, and GC/MS. Each of these serves a different purpose.
For example, ELISA is useful for searching for antibodies in the blood, while GC/MS identifies certain compounds in the body.
How does the stool collection process work?
You will have to find a reliable and experienced test collection facility to take this test. They will provide you with a test kit, in which you will provide the specimen and post it back to them at the mentioned address.
The entire process should take between 10 to 15 minutes. Before starting, you should carefully read the pre-collection information and prepare accordingly.
The center will likely ask you to collect the sample on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to avoid delays. You should collect the sample while wearing latex gloves and ensure the urine does not mix with the stool.
After taking the sample, you should store it in the label container while mentioning your name, date of birth and address. You should never freeze the specimen because it might affect the texture and composition of the sample.
Your doctor will recommend a microbiome test to know the reasons behind the unhealthy gut, identify unwanted bacteria, and decide the appropriate treatment accordingly. The process is straightforward, accurate, and does not take much time.
