GI360 Test
Let’s talk about poop. In our large intestines, trillions of living organisms, mainly bacteria, reside and contribute to the microbiome or “community” in the colon. Many published studies site the importance of particular bacteria or yeast to be present or absent from the human microbiome. The ability to convert Vitamins, prevent illness and yeast infections, control estrogen reabsorption are just a fraction of the functions of our gut bacteria.
Stool testing has been around for a long time. Testing used the same technology of culturing bacteria and yeast for many years before advanced techniques involving DNA analysis became popular in recent years. Culturing, microscopic examination and DNA or PCR probing and testing have their benefits and limitations. The company Doctors Data has used stool culturing for years but has now added the power of DNA mapping in the comprehensive GI360 test™.
GI360 technology had been in the works for several years before being offered to medical professionals. Scientific research involving the different inhabitants of the large intestine and evidence-based DNA mapping technology is used in the GI360 test. It provides a detailed look at the presence of multiple types of parasitic viruses, bacteria, worms and amoebas as well as the relative amounts of healthy bacteria, imbalanced bacteria and inflammatory or dysbiotic bacteria and yeast.
Understanding your flora and the balance between bacterial species can lead to various diet changes, specific probiotics to use and treatment strategies to resolve digestive and non-digestive symptoms and conditions. Many medical conditions have a root cause in the gut thus knowing the microbiome imbalances can lead to resolution of symptoms.
The GI360 stool test is performed at home over a period of 3 days. Clear instructions come with the test kit that outline any foods or supplements to avoid prior to the test and how to store samples until ready to ship. The test usually has a turn around time of less than 2 weeks for results.
Understanding the GI360 Test
Stool analysis can lead to individualized treatments for optimal wellness. No two microbiomes are the same, with trillions of microorganisms inhabiting the large intestine. The GI360 test provides details about intestinal bacteria, yeast, viruses and parasites. Unwanted bacteria and yeast that are cultured are also tested for sensitivity to enable the most effective herbs, antibiotics or antifungals to be used in treatment protocols. The 20+ page report of results encompasses multiple valuable stool markers as well as microbiome information.
The GI360 test has an excellent summary on the first page to begin the report. Diagrams to show the proportions of different bacterial groups, amount of diversity of bacteria and amount of imbalance – termed dysbiosis – in the stool sample. If stool chemistry has abnormal findings or if pathogenic or dysbiotic organisms are found, it will be stated here. To view a sample report, please click here.
The in-depth analysis begins after the summary page and lists 3 pages worth of microorganisms and the relative amounts that normally inhabit the large intestines. This is determined using PCR technology as is the following section that screens for the presence of pathogens and parasites ranging from viruses, bacteria, protozoa and worms. Markers of undigested food are noted which can help to evaluate other aspects of digestion and absorption.
The microbiology section of the report reviews bacteria that were cultured on a medium from the stool sample. Culturing is an excellent way to see bacteria and yeast, relative amounts but most importantly, there is the ability to do a sensitivity on dysbiotic findings. The lab uses both natural antimicrobials such as herbs and pharmaceutical agents to show what the effective treatment is. The last page of data tests the levels of 15 stool markers to provide insight into inflammation, bleeding, dysfunctional digestion and amounts of healthy bacteria byproducts.
The GI360 test is the most comprehensive stool test available. It combines PCR analysis and microbiology cultures along with specific biomarkers to give well-rounded insight into digestive function. Other stool tests only use DNA or culture and could potentially miss important information. Depending on what information is desired, the GI360 test covers all aspects and can be ordered for almost anyone.
Why Take the GI360 Test
Digestive health treatment can be difficult if the exact cause of symptoms is unknown. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that involves constipation and/or diarrhea and abdominal pain. The root cause of IBS in over 70% of patients is due to bacteria imbalances or overgrowths. This may be small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or it could be dysbiosis or yeast overgrowth in the gut. Depending on symptoms, it may be suggested to to a SIBO breath test and a GI360 for the most complete picture.
Common conditions and symptoms that benefit with information from the GI360 test include IBS, IBD, migraines, skin rashes, fatigue, weight control, food reactions or sensitivities and acne. Those with digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, belching, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, acid reflux and newly-formed food reactions should consider ordering the GI360 test. Understanding the root cause of digestive symptoms and treating with a naturopathic physician can lead to many health benefits. Improved energy, mood, skin and weight control are some non-digestive benefits that might be noted.
Optimizing health to feel and look the best that you can often starts with digestive function and diet. You don’t have to feel digestive symptoms in order to want to know more about your microbiome. This test can be used to guide dietary changes and determine specific probiotics or fermentable foods that fit with your microbiome. Sometimes dysbiosis or inflammation in the gut can be caught early by testing, even before symptoms have arisen – and can be avoided!
How to Prepare for the GI360 Test
Discuss with your naturopathic physician if there are any changes to your diet leading up to test day, however usually there is no requirement to restrict foods. The test is a 3-day collection thus planning to be home or in a comfortable environment for the test is ideal. Detailed instructions are provided in the test kit and should be read and followed precisely for the best results. Because the microbiome is to be tested, no “killing” supplements or medications should be consumed within 2 weeks of the test. This includes antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and even some antimicrobial herbs. As test day approaches, stop digestive enzymes, antacids, aspirin, binders such as bentonite clay and charcoal as well as laxatives of any type. If you are on a proton-pump inhibitor for heartburn or acid reflux, it is ideal to stop 2 weeks prior but please speak with your naturopathic physician before stopping any prescription medications. Do not collect during menstruation or if there is an active hemorrhoid bleed.
Once you’ve chosen your window of 3 days to test over, review the instructions carefully and each day there is a different method and storage. It is ok to collect over more than 3 days if you tend towards constipation and can skip bowel movements. Storage before shipping depends on the colour of the lid used. For more details regarding collection instructions, please watch this video. To improve the accuracy of the test, it is ideal to use multiple samples from the stool to fill the vials that are from different areas within the stool. This will ensure a better representation of the microbiome and chemistry markers.
Interpreting the GI360 Test Results
The GI360 test results are displayed in an easy to understand format. A scale that represents values from -3 to +3 is provided for each bacteria commonly found in a healthy microbiome. Zero represents the normal amount of colonies and moving to the left, results are lacking this bacteria or over to right displays an overgrowth. The lab provides commentary on any imbalances and what current research is telling us about the specific bacteria. For the multiple parasites tested, each is listed as negative or positive.
The microbiology section lists the types of bacteria and yeast that were cultured on a medium and the relative amounts of colonization. Bacteria are listed as beneficial, expected, imbalance and dysbiotic. If any dysbiotic flora are grown, another page lists what can be used to treat and rid the intestine of this overgrowth. The last section of stool chemistries lists each biomarker and indicates if it is low, optimal or high and provides numerical data and units. The laboratory has created a visually easy to read report, however it takes a trained eye to link current and past symptoms with results to develop the right treatment plan. It is always advised to work with a naturopathic physician to understand your results and safely treat to improve your microbiome.
When results show abnormal findings, it is clearly indicated on the report. Sometimes a parasite has been identified or a dysbiotic bacteria cultured. Inflammation can be detected using stool chemistry and sometimes may indicate further testing with a specialist is required to rule out inflammatory bowel disease. When results are abnormal, it is often a relief to see that something is causing symptoms and know that it can be treated. Trust that your naturopathic physician will have a plan.
Once treatment has been completed to re-establish optimal gut health, it can be helpful to re-test. Sometimes only part of the test requires a re-do and this is possible. The microbiology culture part of the exam can be ordered without the DNA analysis and stool chemistries. This is useful to determine if dysbiotic species are now gone. Monitoring and tracking digestive symptoms can be extremely helpful should digestion regress after treatment. It is always a good idea to get on top of changes right away when required.
Thinking of Booking a GI360 Test?
The digestive system is responsible for many important roles. Absorption of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fats can only occur naturally in the small intestine. Removal of potentially toxic byproducts of metabolism, estrogens, allergens and pollutants depends on a healthy liver and large intestine. When you think of it, every biological process in the body, every hormone, protein, lipid and carbohydrate uses the nutrients from our diet at some point to be formed. Without healthy digestion, one could easily argue that some of these vital processes are affected.
The innovative GI360 test helps to provide an understanding of what works well and what needs support. The microbiome is vast and thus has vast extensions throughout our body’s wellness. Re-balancing the flora of the large intestine can help to remove symptoms that are digestive related and non-digestive related. If you are looking at gaining a more optimal state of wellness and healthier digestion, the GI360 test is a great tool to start.
Dr. Luis often recommends the GI360 test to her patients in Vancouver who are struggling with digestive issues.
Dr. Jennifer Luis believes that the GI360 test can provide valuable insights into the root causes of digestive problems and help to create a personalized treatment plan.
The digestive system is responsible for many important roles. Absorption of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fats can only occur naturally in the small intestine. Removal of potentially toxic byproducts of metabolism, estrogens, allergens and pollutants depends on a healthy liver and large intestine. When you think of it, every biological process in the body, every hormone, protein, lipid and carbohydrate uses the nutrients from our diet at some point to be formed. Without healthy digestion, one could easily argue that some of these vital processes are affected.
The innovative GI360 test helps to provide an understanding of what works well and what needs support. The microbiome is vast and thus has vast extensions throughout our body’s wellness. Re-balancing the flora of the large intestine can help to remove symptoms that are digestive related and non-digestive related. If you are looking at gaining a more optimal state of wellness and healthier digestion, the GI360 test is a great tool to start.
Dr. Luis often recommends the GI360 test to her patients in Vancouver who are struggling with digestive issues.
Dr. Jennifer Luis believes that the GI360 test can provide valuable insights into the root causes of digestive problems and help to create a personalized treatment plan.
The digestive system is responsible for many important roles. Absorption of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fats can only occur naturally in the small intestine. Removal of potentially toxic byproducts of metabolism, estrogens, allergens and pollutants depends on a healthy liver and large intestine. When you think of it, every biological process in the body, every hormone, protein, lipid and carbohydrate uses the nutrients from our diet at some point to be formed. Without healthy digestion, one could easily argue that some of these vital processes are affected.
The innovative GI360 test helps to provide an understanding of what works well and what needs support. The microbiome is vast and thus has vast extensions throughout our body’s wellness. Re-balancing the flora of the large intestine can help to remove symptoms that are digestive related and non-digestive related. If you are looking at gaining a more optimal state of wellness and healthier digestion, the GI360 test is a great tool to start.
GI360 Test FAQs
The GI360 test is a comprehensive stool test that analyzes your natural flora (bacteria, yeast and other microorganisms) using both culturing and DNA technology. Stool is collected over 3 days and sent to the laboratory for testing. A detailed, multi-page report is supplied to the ordering naturopathic physician.
Taking the GI360 test leads to powerful information that can be used to optimize health. Many conditions outside of digestion can stem from digestion. For example, rashes and itchy skin can be due to an overgrowth of yeast in the body but particularly in the large intestine. The GI360 test would identify this overgrowth and provide treatment options that have been tested on your particular yeast strain that worked to kill the colonies. Personalized medicine!
Organisms that are cultured can be identified, counted and if pathogenic or dysbiotic a sensitivity is run to determine the best herb or drug to kill off the colonies. DNA probes identify the presence or absence of many important bacteria and parasitic microorganisms. Stool chemistries are calculated and a quantitative analysis of healthy and unhealthy markers is reported.
Clear instructions are provided in each test kit, it is important to read and follow carefully. If a recent colonoscopy has been performed, it is advised to wait at least 4 weeks until collecting for the GI360. 2 weeks before collection, no antibiotics, antifungals, probiotics, proton pump inhibitors and bismuth should be used. 2 days before the test, avoid antacids, digestive enzymes, aspirin, betaine, bentonite clay, charcoal and laxatives. Women are recommended to avoid collection during menstruation and anyone with active, bleeding hemorrhoids should wait until healing has occurred.
Once the preparation has been carefully followed, collection for Day 1 can start. Because urine can contaminate results, it is advised to void urine prior to stool collection. The kit comes with 3 large containers to collect stool, one for each day.
Typically results are received after 2 weeks. Results are reported directly to the ordering practitioner and reviewed prior to your appointment.
Abnormal results are common in IBS or other digestive-related conditions. Many people are relieved to hear that something abnormal has been identified as it gives answers to their symptoms and a treatment plan can be developed to get back to optimal health. Trust in your naturopathic physician that an appropriate and individualized plan will be developed.
Yes. Re-tests can affirm that imbalances (dysbiosis), inflammation, over/under-growths are resolved. It is not always necessary to re-test but it can be beneficial in some cases.
The GI360 report of results is extensive and comes with details regarding the organisms identified, the balances between them and all other relevant findings. Your experienced naturopathic physician will provide a comprehensive analysis of your test results at your follow-up appointment.
Yes. Many extended benefit plans cover costs of testing when ordered by a naturopathic physician. However, the GI360 test is not covered by provincial health plans (MSP). It is advised to check with your extended insurance plan prior to ordering the test.