Gut Biome test is it worth it?

[Trinity7]

Hi i am a lifelong digestive challenges lady. Currently considering a private gut biome test. Has anyone done one and found it helped. I.e identified what main causes are and suggestions to improve?

[Maureen1958]

I did one about six months ago. You can't make much sense of the report yourself, but they go through it with you. Also I knew of a nutritionist through a support group I used to belong to and got her to give it the once over. The interesting thing that came out if it, which is what I suspected and why I did the test, was that my biome was in a pretty good way. I have tried no end of probiotics etc and they have all made me worse!

[TrishG67]

Hi I did one a few months ago but you need some body to decipher the report for you. Mine came back showing gut dysbosis which I was advised was an imbalance In the gut bacteria. I have trialled many types of probiotics and dont feel a jot different. 😥I tried prebiotics but these crippled me with gas/wind, as I also suffer from GERD I had to stop taking these. So the only way I would know if I have improved this or not would be to do another test costing hundreds of pounds. So unless you have an idea of a specific gut condition you want testing for to rule it out, these GI tests are expensive plus you will need support from a clinician to interpret. Good luck.

[xjrs]

I would avoid these tests like the plague. As others mentioned you need someone to interpret them for you and the people who do this are not doctors. I went through this whole process last year, wasted a huge amount of money on it - they diagnosed and treated me for something I didn't have and actually made me far more ill than I'd ever been in my life. I would go as far to say that their practices are dangerous. Until all of this has been properly brought into the official health care systems, through proper clinical trials, it is best to steer clear.

There is an interesting infographic on gut dysbiosis here:

gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/...

If you feel that you have a gut bacterial imbalance it is worth trying a good quality probiotic such as Alflorex or Symprove. Alflorex has been scientifically studied for IBS. It has changed my life and made me far more tolerant of different foods. I have tried other probiotics in the past and Alflorex worked best for me. It really depends on the source of your IBS (assuming that you have been formally diagnosed with this - if not I'd get a stool sample and blood test from your GP). Unfortunately far more research is needed about the different reasons for each person's IBS symptoms.

[Hidden]

Yes I have had a few now and they’ve made an enormous difference to my gut health. I have PA and EPI do have significant problems with absorption. The tests I got were through recognised labs and the results recognised by my NHS trained gastroenterologist. I suggest you use a clinic that deals in Ibs issues and staffed with qualified nutritionists. I used IBS clinics in London (they use zoom if you’re not local) and their tests use Genova Diagnostics labs which are excellent. I’m surprised that people have been suggested to use probiotics or prebiotics where gut disbyosis exists. It is well established that if there is an overgrowth if pathogenic bacteria (or other nasties) that they first course of action is their removal. This is normally achieved through various antimicrobials from high quality labs where the efficacy of the treatment has been subject to research. Once your levels are under control the next stage is gut support where you will use a range of things like prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, betaine HCL and the like.

Only you can choose how to proceed. I am able to say quite clearly that my health has improved beyond all recognition using this approach. When I started 2 years ago my calprotectin score was 432!! Under 50 is normal and up to 120 is intermediate. Calprotectin is a measure of gut inflammation and often used to test IBD. I am now in the intermediate range.

I hope my story helps you do the right thing for you.

[Trinity7]

Thank you so much for your comments. A mix of positive and negative. Will give it more thought

[userotc]

Apologies in advance for the unintended pun but, to make your decision on microbiome testing, I believe you must "go with your gut"!

Ive had 3 to-date (last one ~18m ago) and found some improvement in results with time thus giving me comfort that my health protocol is helping my recovery from a condition brought on by a precription drug. Interestingly a report was published a few weeks ago confirming that others with that condition had gut dysbiosis with 1 bacteria similar to me.

Personally I think microbiome is a very important part of the overall, often-complex, jigsaw of personal health management. It can be a long and lonely journey but could and should lead to recovery/cure - which allopathic medicine doesnt generally offer, Im afraid.

[asbayford in reply to userotc]

Hello what medication did this as Im starting to suspect my previous med has done this too!

[userotc in reply to asbayford]

Post just sent was for you, see also pm.

[userotc]

I think various meds can damage the gut and only 1h ago replied to another post on here which I think uncovered another case. Post called Klebsiella.

As this current post is 3d old, I'll answer by pm.