Leaky gut syndrome is also known as intestinal permeability.
A normal healthy gut lining allows certain molecules to pass across into the bloodstream such as vitamins, minerals and digested foods. It also acts as a barrier to prevent entry of larger damaging molecules, foreign particles and bacteria.
When there is damage to the intestinal lining it can open up slightly and this allows larger particles, such as undigested or partially digested foods and bacteria, to enter into the bloodstream. This leads to malabsorption of nutrients as they pass through into the bloodstream in a form that the body cannot use, and can also lead to excessive absorption of bacteria and other molecules that the intestines usually prevent from entering the blood stream.
The immune system is not used to these particles and sees them as foreign, causing food sensitivities and candida infections. This can lead to inflammation, irritation and allergic like reactions. Both malabsorption and increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) are associated with chronic gastrointestinal imbalances as well as many systemic disorders.
The Cyrex Array 2 Intestinal Antigenic Permeability Screen™ identifies an immune response indicating damage to the intestinal mucosal microstructures, including the epithelial cell network and the intercellular tight junctions. Measuring the continuity of the intestinal barrier is accomplished by identifying antibodies against the tight junction proteins (occludin and zonulin) and antibodies to the actomyosin network (a protein complex that regulates intestinal barrier function by maintaining the plasticity of tight junctions).
Possible causes of intestinal permeability include:
This is a blood test that requires a blood sample which will then need to be centrifuged. Centrifuge can be carried out at the lab if the sample is received within 24 hours from the blood draw.
You will need to arrange for a blood sample to be collected either at a laboratory in London, by a nurse at your GP service or at a private clinic or hospital. Any fee for this service is not included with the test fee.
While Cyrex is unable to provide an exhaustive list of medications due to the interactive complexities and varieties of medications and patient circumstances, the following has been noted:
Please do not stop any medication without your doctor’s consent.
Once you’ve collected your sample, you’ll need to send it back to the lab via a next day service, which is offered by Royal Mail if you’re in the UK. If you’re outside of the UK, please check with your postal service for options. The cost of the test does not cover the return postage.
Please note that samples should only be posted on Monday – Thursday so that they do not arrive over the weekend when the lab is closed.
3 years and above.
Your test results will be emailed to you.
All sample reports are for representational and educational purposes only. Biomarkers, references ranges, results, and all other data may differ from actual reports. All data included in no way represents an actual patient. Any comparisons of results to actual patients is completely incidental.
Updated April 2020