Product Description

**Note: All laboratory testing requires an authorizing physician. DHA Laboratory offers a patient direct program that partners you with an authorizing physician. If you have any additional questions regarding the availability of testing, please contact our laboratory by telephone or email.**

GI Effects Comprehensive Profile (3-Day Collection)

The GI Effects Comprehensive Profile test is a group of advanced stool tests that assess digestive function, intestinal inflammation, and the intestinal microbiome to assist in managing gastrointestinal health. Gut microorganisms are codependent on one another, and their human host and the health of one affect the other.

This is the 3-day version of this test; it is also available as a 1-day test here.

The biomarkers on the GI Effects Comprehensive Profile reflect the 3 key functions of gut health arranged in the “DIG” format: Digestion/Absorption, Inflammation/Immunology, and the Gut Microbiome:

Digestion/Absorption:

• Pancreatic Elastase-1 is a marker of exocrine pancreatic function.
• Products of Protein Breakdown are markers of undigested protein reaching the colon.
• Fecal Fat is a marker of fat breakdown and absorption.

Inflammation/Immunology:

• Calprotectin is a marker of neutrophil-driven inflammation. Produced in abundance at sites of inflammation, this biomarker has been proven clinically useful in differentiating between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
• Eosinophil Protein X is a marker of eosinophil-driven inflammation and allergic response.
• Fecal Secretory IgA is a marker of gut secretory immunity and barrier function.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test detects hidden blood; fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) has been recommended by the American College of Gastroenterology as the preferred noninvasive test for colorectal cancer screening/detection.

Gut Microbiome:

• Genova is the first laboratory to introduce an Inflammation-Associated Dysbiosis score and a Methane Dysbiosis score by incorporating our latest, published microbiome data analysis.
• Metabolic indicators, including short-chain fatty acids and beta-glucuronidase, demonstrate specific and vital metabolic functions performed by the microbiota.
• Commensal Bacteria demonstrate the composition, abundance and patterns of gut organisms.
  • More than 95% of commensal gut organisms are anaerobic and are difficult to recover by traditional (aerobic) culture techniques.
  • GI Effects assesses a set of 24 genera/species that map to 7 major phyla.
  • 16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) amplification technique
  • Comprehensive microbiome analysis included
• Bacterial and mycology cultures demonstrate the presence of specific beneficial and pathogenic organisms.
  • Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technology is used for limitless bacterial and fungal species identification via culture
• Bacterial and mycology sensitivities are provided for pathogenic or potentially pathogenic organisms that have been cultured. The report includes effective prescriptive and natural agents.
• Parasitology includes comprehensive testing for all parasites on every parasitology exam ordered.
  • GI Effects provides microscopic fecal specimen examination for ova and parasites (O&P), the gold standard of diagnosis for many parasites.
  • 6 Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targets detect common protozoal parasites including Blastocystis spp., Cryptosporidium parvum/hominis, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia. PCR for organisms is emerging as a highly sensitive method for infectious organism detection.
  • Selection of a one-day or three-day sample collection is based on the clinician’s clinical index of suspicion for parasitic infection. If there is no/low suspicion, a one-day sample will likely be adequate. For high suspicion, a three-day sample collection is optimal.

The GI Effects Comprehensive Test combines a selection of high throughput methodologies for the microbiome study. 16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification technique for anaerobic commensal bacteria with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technology and standard microscopic ova and parasite detection with Next-Generation DNA sequencing for Blastocystis spp.

The report will provide the results of the biomarkers analyzed, grouped, and scored in 5 key areas relating to GI function: Maldigestion, Inflammation, Dysbiosis, Metabolite Imbalance, and Infection. A positive result on one or more fecal biomarker tests may guide treatment options or may define or eliminate a diagnosis from further consideration.

The Performing Laboratory is Genova Diagnostics.