Comprehensive Stool Testing
The GI360 and GI Advanced Profiles
What is Comprehensive Stool Testing?
If you are struggling with chronic digestive distress, standard medical lab tests often fall short. Conventional stool tests are typically designed to identify severe, acute infections (like food poisoning), but they completely miss the subtle, underlying imbalances that drive chronic daily symptoms.
To truly heal your gut, we need to map your entire microscopic ecosystem.
In our clinic, Dr. Jennifer Luis utilizes the gold standard in functional gastroenterology testing. We offer two top-tier comprehensive stool profiles: the GI360™ Test and the US BioTek GI Advanced Profile.
Both of these tests are exceptional diagnostic tools. They go far beyond standard testing by combining multiplex PCR (DNA) technology with standard microbial culturing. This means we aren’t just guessing what might be living in your gut—we are identifying the exact genetic signatures of the bacteria, yeast, and pathogens present, giving us a highly accurate picture of your gastrointestinal health.
Who Should Take a Comprehensive Stool Test?
Your gut microbiome dictates far more than just digestion; it regulates your immune system, hormone clearance, and even your mood. When this ecosystem becomes dysbiotic (imbalanced), it can trigger a wide range of localized and systemic issues.
Comprehensive stool testing is highly recommended for patients experiencing:
- Chronic bloating, excessive gas, or indigestion
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Unpredictable bowel habits (frequent diarrhea or chronic constipation)
- Persistent skin conditions (acne, eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis)
- Unexplained food allergies and sensitivities
- Brain fog, anxiety, or mood swings (due to the gut-brain axis)
- Chronic fatigue and low energy
- A history of frequent antibiotic use
GI360 vs. GI Advanced: What’s the Difference?
Patients often ask which test is “better.” While the GI360 has been a staple in functional medicine for years, clinical testing is always evolving. Dr. Jennifer frequently recommends the GI Advanced Profile to her patients because it provides a more robust set of clinical data, often at a lower out-of-pocket cost.
While both tests evaluate the core markers of gut health, the GI Advanced Profile offers three distinct clinical advantages:
Zonulin Marker (Leaky Gut)
The GI Advanced includes testing for Zonulin, a protein that regulates the tight junctions of your intestinal wall. Elevated Zonulin is the definitive clinical marker for “Leaky Gut” (intestinal permeability). The GI360 does not test for this.
H. Pylori & Antibiotic Resistance
If the GI Advanced detects Helicobacter pylori (a bacteria linked to ulcers and acid reflux), it immediately runs an antibiotic resistance gene test. This tells us exactly which treatments will eradicate the bacteria and which ones will fail, removing all guesswork from your protocol.
Expanded Yeast Array
The GI Advanced screens for a much wider array of yeast and fungal species, which are notorious for causing severe bloating, sugar cravings, and fatigue.
Please note: You do not have to make this decision alone. Dr. Jennifer will discuss both options during your consultation and help you select the exact test that best fits your clinical needs and budget.
What Do These Reports Actually Measure?
Whether we utilize the GI360 or the GI Advanced profile, you will receive a comprehensive breakdown of your digestive function across four critical categories:
We assess the precise balance of your commensal (“good”) bacteria versus dysbiotic (“bad”) bacteria. This ensures your gut is producing the essential short-chain fatty acids (like butyrate) required to keep your intestinal lining healthy.
We screen for a wide spectrum of parasitic, viral, and bacterial infections. If a pathogen or yeast overgrowth is found, the lab utilizes live culturing to test it against various natural and pharmaceutical antimicrobials to see exactly what will kill it.
Are you actually breaking down your food? We check specific markers—like Pancreatic Elastase—to verify that your pancreas is producing enough digestive enzymes to absorb the nutrients from your diet.
We evaluate key markers for intestinal inflammation, such as Calprotectin, and measure your Secretory IgA, which represents the strength of your gut’s frontline immune defense.
How to Prepare and Collect Your Sample
Both profiles are completely non-invasive and are collected in the privacy and comfort of your own home.
1. Preparation:
To ensure the most accurate baseline reading, you will be given specific guidelines on what to avoid prior to testing. This typically involves pausing probiotics, herbal antimicrobials, or digestive enzymes for a few days before your collection.
2. Collection:
Your test kit will include clear, step-by-step instructions and all the hygienic materials needed to easily collect your stool sample over a 1-to-3-day period.
3. Shipping:
Once collected, you will simply use the provided prepaid shipping label to send your sample directly to the laboratory for analysis.
What Happens Next?
Because these tests utilize advanced DNA sequencing and live culturing, it generally takes the laboratory about 2 to 3 weeks to fully process your sample.
Once the results are in, you will have a follow-up consultation with Dr. Jennifer. Together, you will review the findings line-by-line. Using this concrete data, Dr. Jennifer will build a highly customized, root-cause healing protocol utilizing targeted nutraceuticals, dietary strategies, and lifestyle adjustments to restore your microbiome and resolve your symptoms for good.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You don’t need to guess! Dr. Jennifer will review your unique symptoms, health history, and budget during your initial visit and recommend the profile that will yield the most valuable clinical insights for your specific case.
- You can expect your results to be sent to our clinic approximately 2 to 3 weeks after the laboratory receives your mailed sample.
While we do require you to pause certain gut-specific supplements (like probiotics), you should never stop prescription medications without consulting a physician. Dr. Jennifer will provide you with a customized preparation plan based on your current routine.
Stop Guessing With Your Gut Health
You don't have to live with chronic digestive discomfort. Get the answers you need to finally heal your gut from the inside out.