Stool testing can be a helpful tool to dig deeper into underlying causes for common digestive symptoms or simply to get a picture of your current state of gut health.
What Is Functional Stool Testing?
Functional stool testing involves analyzing a sample of your stool to assess various aspects of your digestive health. The range of evaluated biomarkers can vary from test to test depending how in depth you are wanting to look. Some common reasons for functional stool testing include:
- Persistent symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating and gas
- Suspected infections or parasites
- Evaluating gut microbiome health
What Can Functional Stool Testing Reveal?
Your stool can reveal a wealth of information about your health, including:
- Gut Microbiome Imbalances: The balance of bacteria in your gut plays a critical role in digestion, immunity, and mental health. Stool testing can identify dysbiosis, or imbalances in gut bacteria, which may contribute to symptoms like bloating, gas, or fatigue.
- Inflammation Markers: Elevated markers, such as calprotectin, can indicate inflammation in the gut, often associated with conditions like IBD or infections.
- Digestive Function: Stool testing can show how well your body is breaking down and absorbing food. For example, low levels of certain enzymes can relate to insufficient pancreatic output.
- Infections or Parasites: Stool testing can detect harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, that may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, or other digestive problems.
- Markers of Leaky Gut: Certain stool tests can evaluate intestinal permeability, often referred to as “leaky gut,” which has been linked to autoimmune conditions, chronic inflammation and more.
Who Should Consider Functional Stool Testing?
Stool testing can benefit anyone experiencing ongoing digestive issues or symptoms that don’t appear to be related to obvious nutritional imbalances in dietary intake. It’s also useful for those seeking to optimize gut health or understanding root causes behind unexplained fatigue, joint pain, bloating or other physical symptoms. Gut functioning is at the center of many vital processes in your body from digestion, immune function and mental health, so supporting gut health is vital for supporting an overall wellbeing.
