Description
Gastrointestinal complaints are among the most common in medical care. This comprehensive profile helps pinpoint the causes of gastrointestinal symptoms and chronic systemic conditions, and measures key markers of digestion, absorption and inflammation. Using growth-based culture, the standard of practice in clinical microbiology, as well as sensitive biochemical assays and microscopy, this thorough profile evaluates the status of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms including aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeast and parasites. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to prescriptive and natural agents is also performed for appropriate bacterial and fungal species at no additional charge. Parasitology testing can include one-, two- or three-day collection, based on practitioner preference.
This test is useful for;
Gastrointestinal Symptoms Autoimmune Disease IBD/IBS Inflammation Food Sensitivities Nutritional Deficiencies Joint Pain
Detailed Information;
The Comprehensive Stool Analysis with Parasitology x1, 2, or 3 is an invaluable non-invasive diagnostic assessment that permits practitioners to objectively evaluate the status of beneficial and imbalanced commensal bacteria, pathogenic bacteria, yeast/fungus and parasites. Precise identification of pathogenic species and susceptibility testing greatly facilitates selection of the most appropriate pharmaceutical or natural treatment agents. Important information regarding the efficiency of digestion and absorption can be gleaned from the measurement of the fecal levels of elastase (pancreatic exocrine sufficiency), fat, muscle and vegetable fibers, and carbohydrates. Inflammation can significantly increase intestinal permeability and compromise assimilation of nutrients. The extent of inflammation, whether caused by pathogens or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can be assessed and monitored by examination of the levels of biomarkers such as lysozyme, lactoferrin, white blood cells and mucus. These markers can be used to differentiate between inflammation associated with potentially life-threatening inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which requires lifelong treatment, and less severe inflammation that can be associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which is frequently due to the presence of enteroinvasive pathogens. Lactoferrin is only markedly elevated prior to and during the active phases of IBD, but not with IBS. Monitoring fecal lactoferrin levels in patients with IBD can therefore facilitate timely treatment of IBD, and the test can be ordered separately. Since the vast majority of secretory IgA (sIgA) is normally present in the GI tract, where it prevents binding of pathogens and antigens to the mucosal membrane, it is essential to know the status of sIgA in the gut. sIgA is the only bona fide marker of humoral immune status in the GI tract. Cornerstones of good health include proper digestion of food, assimilation of nutrients, exclusion of pathogens and timely elimination of waste. To obtain benefits from food that is consumed, nutrients must be appropriately digested and then efficiently absorbed into portal circulation. Microbes, larger-sized particles of fiber, and undigested foodstuffs should remain within the intestinal lumen. Poor digestion and malabsorption of vital nutrients can contribute to degenerative diseases, compromised immune status and nutritional deficiencies. Impairment of the highly specific nutrient uptake processes, or compromised GI barrier function, as in “leaky gut syndrome,” can result from a number of causes including:
- Low gastric acid production
- Chronic maldigestion
- Food allergen impact on bowel absorptive surfaces
- Bacterial overgrowth or imbalances (dysbiosis)
- Pathogenic bacteria, yeast or parasites and related toxic irritants
- The use of NSAIDs and antibiotics Impairment of intestinal functions can contribute to the development of food allergies, systemic illnesses, autoimmune disease, and toxic overload from substances that are usually kept in the confines of the bowel for elimination. Efficient remediation of GI dysfunctions incorporates a comprehensive guided approach that should include consideration of elimination of pathogens and exposure to irritants, supplementation of hydrochloric acid, pancreatic enzymes and pre- and probiotics, and repair of the mucosal barrier.
Turnaround Time
6 to 8 days
Analyses Tested:
Analyte CPT ABN Required
Acetate; stool 82492 Yes
Additional pathogens culture; stool 87046 No
Bacteriology culture, aerobic; stool 87045 No
Butyrate; stool 82492 Yes
Calprotectin; stool 83993 Yes
Carbohydrates; stool * No
Cryptosporidium; stool 87328 No
Day 2 Parasitology, concentrate; stool 87177 No
Day 2 Parasitology, trichrome; stool 87209 No
Day 3 Parasitology, concentrate; stool 87177 No
Day 3 Parasitology, trichrome; stool 87209 No
Elastase; stool 82656 No
Fat Stain; stool 89125 No
Giardia lamblia; stool 87329 No
Lactoferrin; stool 83631 No
Lysozyme; stool 85549 Yes
Mucus; stool * No
Muscle Fibers; stool 89160 No
Occult Blood; stool 82272 Yes
Parasitology, concentrate; stool 87177 No
Parasitology, trichrome; stool 87209 No
Propionate; stool 82492 Yes
Red Blood Cells; stool * No
Valerate; stool 82492 Yes
Vegetable Fibers; stool 89160 No
White Blood Cells; stool * No
Yeast culture; stool 87102 No
pH; stool 83986 No
sIgA; stool 83516 Yes
