Please note
All US shipments, regardless of value or content, are now subject to full entry checks by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Our lab partner is working to minimise any delays caused by these new procedures. While some shipments may still experience longer transit times, delays have significantly improved since the CBP changes in late August. If your sample is affected, our team will contact you directly
The GI-MAP (Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus) Stool Test is a comprehensive, non-invasive diagnostic tool designed to evaluate the health of your gut microbiome. Using advanced PCR DNA technology, this test precisely identifies and quantifies a wide range of microorganisms, including pathogenic bacteria, parasites, fungi, and viruses, offering a clear picture of what may be disrupting your digestive and overall health.
One of the key strengths of the GI-MAP is its ability to measure the actual load of pathogens and beneficial microbes, rather than just their presence or absence. This enables a more precise understanding of gut imbalances, inflammation, immune activation, and digestive efficiency.
If you’re dealing with persistent digestive symptoms, skin issues, fatigue, mood disturbances, or chronic illness, the GI-MAP Test can help identify the root cause and guide a more targeted approach to healing.
The GI-MAP is a DNA-based stool test utilising quantitative PCR technology to detect and quantify a wide array of pathogens, bacteria, parasites, and viruses. This test provides a comprehensive overview of your gut microbiome, aiding in the identification of imbalances that may contribute to various health issues.
This comprehensive test screens for:
The test also includes optional add-on such as Zonulin, a biomarker for intestinal permeability (commonly referred to as “leaky gut”), offering even deeper insight into gut barrier function.
Gastrointestinal function is critical for good health. In addition to performing digestive functions, the intestinal tract contains significant amounts of organisms. Imbalances in this internal ecosystem and the overall GI function are associated with a wide variety of common illnesses, including, but not limited to:
Many things can disrupt gut health, including pathogens, parasites, infections, low digestive secretions, inflammation, and imbalances in beneficial gut bacteria. These imbalances often go undetected with conventional testing but may contribute to a wide range of digestive and systemic health issues.
The GI-MAP Stool Test offers a highly accurate, DNA-based analysis of your gut microbiome, focusing on microbes that may trigger or worsen illness. By using quantitative PCR (qPCR) technology, the test not only detects harmful organisms but also measures their exact levels, providing a clear picture of infection severity or dysbiosis..
This level of detail allows you to:
Take control of your digestive health and uncover the root causes of your symptoms with the GI-MAP Comprehensive Digestive Stool Test. This advanced test provides clear, actionable insights into your gut microbiome, helping you create a personalised plan for lasting gut health.
Order your GI-MAP Stool Test today and get the answers you need to restore balance and well-being.
For even deeper insights, add Zonulin testing to assess intestinal permeability (leaky gut) as part of your GI-MAP analysis.
Please note
Every US shipment, regardless of value or content, must now undergo full entry checks with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Our lab partner is working hard to reduce the impact of these new customs procedures. If a shipment is delayed this may lead to longer transit times due to the increased customs processing. If your sample is delayed our team will contact you individually to advise you if your sample is in any way affected. Since the initial changes made by CBP at the end of August we are pleased to say that delays have been greatly reduced.
Below you will find an explanation as to the importance of all the parts of the GI MAP test. A concise list of the analytes can be found in the ‘what is being measured’ section.
The GI-MAP includes pathogens (bacterial, parasitic, and viral) commonly known to cause gastrointestinal infections. However the presence of a pathogen may not necessarily result in the presence of symptoms. Many factors, including the health of the individual, the transient nature of some pathogens, and the severity of the presence and expression of the pathogen can all influence whether symptoms will express and persist.
Studies show that nearly 50% of the world’s population may carry H. pylori. Many carriers show no symptoms at all, however, H. pylori is known to have a causative role in ulcers, chronic gastritis, and stomach cancer. Additionally, in early phases of colonisation, patients may experience low stomach acid or hypochlorhydria.
Over time, additional H. pylori strains may colonise, including those with Virulence Factors making the bacteria more harmful and with increased disease potential.
Trillions of microorganisms inhabit the human intestine to make up a complex ecosystem that plays an important role in human health. The gut microbiota is diverse, varies among individuals, and can change over time, especially during developmental and life stages and with disease. The microbiome is viewed as an integral part of the body. Research has demonstrated the bacteria in the gut interact with the immune system and play an important part in immunity.
The individual species in these gut communities were long considered commensal organisms, meaning they were neither pathogenic nor particularly harmful when in their natural site and in a proper amount – in balance.
The predominant classes or families of bacteria in the gut are Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria.
Some of the jobs gut bacteria do are;
Optimal healthy gut microbiota/bacterial balance and composition is different for everyone. The composition of each person’s microbiome is highly variable and can change according to age, ethnicity, location, diet, lifestyle, medications and environmental factors. Rather than concentrating on any one commensal bacteria, understanding overall patterns is essential when assessing the impact of individual results.
Many bacteria measured on the GI-MAP are considered opportunistic pathogens since they may only cause symptoms in some individuals, particularly those with compromised immune systems. Many people come into contact with these opportunistic bacteria species and experience no symptoms at all. They can be considered to be a normal part of our microbiome, however, for vulnerable patients they can cause inflammation and ill health. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, loose stools, abdominal pain and constipation.
Overgrowth and excessive colonisation by opportunistic bacteria may occur when the commensal (friendly or beneficial) bacteria are impaired by poor diet, antibiotic use, parasitic infection or a weakened immune system. When intestinal permeability (or leaky gut) is present, these microbes can cause further damage.
Fungal organisms are commonly found in the human digestive tract, but fungal overgrowth may only cause symptoms in those who are susceptible or immune-compromised. Fungal growth is localised in the body and can be found the large intestine, small intestine or elsewhere in the body including the mouth, vagina, nails etc. Stool profiles provide information only about the presence of fungi in the large intestine, and additional tests may be necessary to understand the complete picture of fungal overgrowth. Organic acid profiles (add link) can also provide useful information about the presence of yeast in the body.
A parasite is an organism that lives and feeds on a host organism at the expense of the host. The GI-MAP tests for pathogenic parasites and protozoa most commonly occurring in the GI tract. Sources of exposure should be identified and eliminated to prevent reinfection.
Digestion
This part of the test gives information about how well you are digesting and absorbing your food. It therefore indicates how well your GI tract is performing its basic digestive functions.
It includes the following markers:
Elastase
A check to see how well the pancreas is playing its part in the digestion of protein, fat and carbohydrate. Pancreatic elastase is secreted exclusively by the pancreas and provides insight into the production of the digestive enzymes amylase, lipase and trypsin.
Steatocrit
Faecal fats are normally broken down by bile salts and absorbed in the small intestines. High levels of fat in the stool may be an indication of maldigestion or malabsorption of dietary fats.
Beta-glucuronidase
One of the ways that toxins are removed from the body is via the stool – the toxins are bound to a molecule that allows them to be removed. Beta-glucuronidase can uncouple these toxins resulting in them being recirculated. Beta-glucuronidase can also break down carbohydrates and help the absorption of some plant polyphenols and nutrients.
Occult Blood
The term ‘occult blood’ simply means blood that is not evident to the naked eye and present in microscopic quantities only. Normally, stools should be entirely free of blood. A positive occult blood indicates the presence of free haemoglobin found in the stool, which is released when red blood cells are broken down. Follow-up testing is recommended.
Secretory IgA
SIgA is secreted by the mucosal tissue of the gastrointestinal tract. Mucosal tissue is strategically located in areas where external pathogens enter the body and it helps to form the protective lining or barrier of the digestive tract to protect us against pathogens and bad bugs and toxins.
Anti-gliadin IgA
Gliadin is a component of gluten, the protein found in wheat and other field grass grains such as barley, malt and rye. The presence of faecal anti- gliadin antibodies can indicate an immune response (in the gut) to gluten in the diet. Faecal anti-gliadin antibodies do not necessarily correlate with blood levels.
NEW Eosinophil Activation Protein
Eosinophil Activation protein is a protein released by activated eosinophils which has strong cytotoxic characteristics. The protein plays a significant role in a variety of inflammatory and mast-cell mediated pathologies in addition to fighting pathogens, particularly viral infections.
Calprotectin
Calprotectin is a simple measure that checks for inflammation in the gut. Calprotectin can be useful for distinguishing between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Levels can vary with age and children under 10 have higher levels.
Helicobacter pylori Antibiotic Resistance Genes.
The GI-Map test checks for antibiotic resistance genes to H.pylori. If an antibiotic resistance gene is present, then that class of antibiotics is designated POSITIVE for antibiotic resistance. A positive result for the presence of resistance genes for a given antibiotic indicates that the antibiotic is not an ideal choice for an antibiotic protocol.
**The sensitivity panel for the complete microbiome is no longer available on this test – however the sensitivity panel for the H.pyloris is still available**
Zonulin a marker for ‘leaky gut’ also known as intestinal permeability is available with this test
Zonulin,
A marker for leaky gut (intestinal permeability), is now available as an add on for the GI MAP.
Zonulin, a marker for ‘leaky gut’ also known as intestinal permeability, is available with this test. Add-ons are available at the bottom of the page.
GI-MAP StoolOMX (Bile Acids + SCFAs) Add-On
This optional add-on expands the GI-MAP by assessing bile acid metabolism and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are key for fat digestion, gut motility, and microbiome balance. It’s particularly helpful for people who experience bloating after fatty meals, loose or urgent stools, pale or greasy stools, constipation–diarrhoea alternation, IBS-D (research suggests up to ~30% of IBS-D cases may be linked to bile acid diarrhoea), or symptoms that haven’t improved with standard gut protocols. By showing whether bile acids are being produced, recycled, and metabolised properly — as well as how gut bacteria are fermenting food — this add-on can highlight overlooked drivers of inflammation, diarrhoea, dysbiosis, and poor nutrient absorption, allowing for more targeted treatment.
Add-ons are available at the bottom of the page.
The GI MAP stool test requires 1 single stool sample.
Adults and children 2 years and above. The child needs to be potty trained and out of nappies. The sample must not be contaminated with urine or fibres from nappies. Please note that the reference ranges given for digestive and inflammatory markers are for adults.
Yes, stool tests can detect infections, inflammation, and other imbalances that may be affecting gut function and overall health.
If you’re struggling with digestive issues, gut disorders, viral pathogens, gastroenteritis, or intestinal permeability, this test could provide insight.
Your results will be emailed to you within 25 working days.
This sample report includes the bile acids and SCFA’s add on
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
£25.00
Test for Leaky gut – Intestinal permeability with Zonulin. Available as an add on to the comprehensive stool test.
£265.00
Test your methylation genes and support any areas that are compromised.
The fastest SIBO Test, complete at home and get your results in 5 working days. SIBO is where you have high levels of bacteria in the small intestine and maybe contributing to your digestive symptoms
£625.00
The NutrEval test is the most comprehensive health MOT available. It identifies nutritional deficiencies and insufficiencies for over 125 markers and provides personalised recommendations for each.
This test looks at food that are cross reactive to gluten so that your diet can be amended.
An essential test for anybody diagnosed with autoimmunity, the test looks at 24 different auto antibodies so any silent autoimmunity can be identified.
Please do not return samples to the laboratories that may arrive after Wednesday 27th March and up to and including Monday 2nd April.
The laboratories are closed from the 28th March – 2nd April for the Easter Holiday.
