FAQs
Welcome to our FAQ, we are so happy to have you here and as a client.
We have tried to answer the most common questions.
General
-
Gut microbiome health is crucial because it influences digestion, immune function, metabolism, and even mental well-being. A balanced microbiome helps absorb nutrients, protect against harmful bacteria, and regulate inflammation. Disruptions in gut bacteria have been linked to conditions like obesity, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and mood disorders. Supporting gut health through diet, probiotics, and lifestyle choices can enhance overall well-being.
-
GutID microbiome test helps you understand the unique balance of bacteria in your gut and how it affects your digestion, metabolism, and overall health. GutID’s test provides science-backed recommendations tailored to your gut health, empowering you to make informed choices about your nutrition and overall wellness.
-
If you are someone that is interested in learning more about your microbiome and its effect on health, then the GutID Test is right for you. Whether you have digestive issues or not, this test will help provide you with actionable nutrition, lifestyle and supplemental recommendations.
-
Each kit will contain a barcoded collection tube. Follow the instructions to collect your fecal sample from the comfort of your own home and ship it back to us in the pre-paid envelope. The sample is shipped to our a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory in the US and will be processed using the patented Intus Bio technology. Your results will be emailed to you within four to six weeks.
-
GutID tests use your fecal (stool) sample to identify the bacteria that is present in your gut.
-
The gut report will discover the bacteria that live in your gut. As part of the test you will receive a comprehensive report outlining:
An overall gut microbiome health score on a scale of 0 to 100
Executive summary including key microbiome health metrics.
Gut health flagged areas and pathogen profiles Personalized recommendations for foods and supplements that are helpful for your specific microbiome.
-
Shipping from Canada can take 1-2 weeks. Once our lab receives a sample and it passes QC (quality control), processing typically takes 3-4 weeks to yield results. Your results will be then uploaded into your gut test portal account, in addition to an email notification letting you know they are available for you to view.
Overall it will take about 4-6 weeks from date of shipping to receive results.
-
Your results will be emailed to the email address provided when the test is registered.
-
The sample collection tube contains a preservative that allows the sample to be stable for up to 2 years at room temperature. There is no refrigeration required once the sample is collected. It can be stored at room temperature until you can to ship it back to us.
GutID Tests
-
There are trillions of microorganisms living in your gut: bacteria, viruses and fungi. They all share the same space and often nutrients, so sometimes they fight for a comfortable spot! Thankfully, most live peacefully in our gut and other digestive organs without causing any problems for us, the host, or each other.
The whole set of microorganisms living in a specific environment is called microbiota, while the collection of their genomes (so their DNA) is called microbiome. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they don't mean the same.
The GutID tests only detect the bacteria living in your gut, which make up more than 90% of the entire microbiota. Even though viruses and fungi can affect the host health, bacteria have the biggest impact.
So, our GutID tests are bacterial microbiome tests that identify all bacterial species and strains present in a stool sample.
-
No, our microbiome tests and analysis are used to identify which bacteria live in the gut, to assess whether they are in an abnormal abundance (more or less than expected) and to spot potential issues associated with certain bacteria. This test is not intended to diagnose any condition, including IBS.
There are several intestinal but also systemic health issues that can be caused by abnormalities in the quantity and type of gut bacteria, so these tests can help your clinician decide if supporting your gut microbiome will help.
-
A breath test is required to diagnose Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), so our microbiome test is not a replacement. However, research has shown that bacteria associated with SIBO can also be detected in stool. The GutID test identifies bacteria linked to SIBO that may be overrepresented in your gut.
-
No, our tests are exclusively microbiome-focused, so we don't check for calprotectin, occult blood, metabolites, or other inflammatory biomarkers. Nevertheless, our in-depth microbiome fingerprinting analysis suggests which functions and areas of your gut are strongly impacted by your microbiome. Our summary sections have been conceived to guide you and help you understand which intestinal functions may be out of balance and why.
-
If your doctor suspects you have some nasty intestinal infections, they might suggest you have a stool test that cultures specific bacteria or looks for parasites. However, several long-term intestinal symptoms are caused by more bacteria than can usually grow (culture) in the lab. Other tests use a molecular technique called qPCR to identify just a few key bacteria in the gut. The GutID test is the only one that can detect any bacteria in your stool, even if they've never been cultured or recognized before!
Test Kit Issues & Solutions
-
It is important that the preservative in the sample collection tube remain intact. If there were any issues in shipping or handling, please contact us at Ricardo.saikali@gutid.com and we will send you a replacement.
-
It is important that the feces catcher remain clean and not be contaminated by urine or toilet water. If there was an issue with the sample collection, please contact us at Ricardo.saikali@gutid.com
Didn’t Find Your Answer?
Don’t hesitate to contact us.