Gut Health Testing
Better Gut, Better Health. From the Inside Out.
Your gut affects far more than digestion—it plays a key role in your mood, energy, immunity, and overall health. At The Well, we offer gut health testing to uncover microbiome imbalances and pinpoint the root cause of symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and skin issues. Dr. Kara provides personalized, results-driven care for infants, children, and adults.
What Is the Gut Microbiome?
The gut microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that reside in your digestive tract. These microbes are essential for:
• Digestion: Breaking down food and extracting nutrients.
• Immunity: Supporting the immune system and protecting against harmful pathogens.
• Metabolism: Regulating weight and energy levels.
• Mood and Mental Health: Producing neurotransmitters like serotonin, which influence mood and brain function.
A healthy microbiome is diverse and balanced, with beneficial bacteria outweighing harmful ones.
Symptoms of an Unhealthy Gut Microbiome
When Your Gut’s Off,
Everything Feels Off.
An imbalanced gut microbiome—also known as dysbiosis—can show up in surprising ways. From bloating, fatigue, and food sensitivities to skin issues, brain fog, and low immunity, poor gut health affects far more than digestion. At The Well, we help identify and address these underlying imbalances so you can feel more energized, clear, and in control of your health again.
Digestive Issues
Bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn or reflux.
Food Intolerances
Difficulty digesting certain foods or increased sensitivity to them.
Skin Problems
Conditions like eczema, acne, or rosacea.
Fatigue
Chronic low energy, often linked to poor nutrient absorption.
Mental Health Challenges
Anxiety, depression, or brain fog.
Weight Fluctuations
Difficulty losing weight or unexpected weight gain.
Weakened
Immunity
Frequent colds, infections, or autoimmune flare-ups.
Conditions Often Associated
with Gut Health
Research has linked an imbalanced gut microbiome to a range of health conditions, including:
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
• Skin Disorders: Such as psoriasis, eczema, or acne.
• Metabolic Disorders: Obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
• Neurological Conditions: Links to mood disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD/ADD and autism spectrum disorders.
• Allergies and Asthma: A disrupted microbiome may exacerbate immune sensitivities.
What Is Gut Health Testing?
RGut health testing involves analyzing a sample of your stool to assess the composition and diversity of your gut microbiome. These tests provide detailed insights into:
1. Bacterial Diversity: The variety of beneficial and harmful bacteria in your gut.
2. Pathogens: Detection of harmful microbes, such as parasites, yeasts, or viruses.
3. Digestive Function: How well your gut is breaking down and absorbing nutrients.
4. Inflammation Markers: Signs of inflammation in the digestive system.
5. Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs): Levels of beneficial compounds produced by gut bacteria that support health
Gut Health Results
Clarity Starts in the Gut.
Your gut health test results offer a detailed look inside your digestive ecosystem—highlighting the balance of bacteria, signs of inflammation, digestion efficiency, and potential pathogens. With insights on microbiome diversity, enzyme levels, and personalized recommendations, these results help connect the dots between your symptoms and their root causes—so you can take informed steps toward better digestion, energy, and overall well-being.
Microbiome Composition
A breakdown of the types and amounts of bacteria in your gut, highlighting beneficial strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and potentially harmful ones like Clostridium difficile.
Diversity Score
A measure of how varied your gut bacteria are—greater diversity generally indicates better gut health.
Pathogen Detection
Identification of harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites that could be causing symptoms.
Digestive Markers:
Levels of digestive enzymes, bile acids, or markers like elastase, which reflect how well your gut is functioning.
Inflammation Indicators
Levels of calprotectin or lactoferrin, which can signal inflammation in the gut.
Recommendations:
Actionable insights, such as dietary and lifestyle changes, probiotic/vitamins/mineral/herb supplementation, or further medical evaluation.
Is Your Gut Trying to Tell You Something?
Dr. Kara offers gut health testing for all ages: infants, children and adults. To determine if gut health testing would benefit you, book a consult using the link below. During your consult, Dr. Kara will go over your health history, current symptoms and concerns and give her professional recommendation to get to the root cause of your symptoms.