{"product_id":"nutripath-gut-bacteria-and-parasite-stool-test","title":"Gut bacteria and parasite stool test","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"product-marketing-headline\"\u003eThe gut test for when standard pathology came back normal\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp class=\"product-tagline\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe complete picture of your gut microbiome. Bacterial diversity, opportunistic organisms, parasites, fungal overgrowth and markers of inflammation in a single stool test.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"product-brand-attribution\"\u003eTest processed by \u003cstrong\u003eNutriPath\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-short-description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eA comprehensive molecular stool analysis measuring over 50 bacterial species, common pathogens, opportunistic organisms (Candida, Blastocystis, Helicobacter), parasites, and functional markers including calprotectin, elastase and secretory IgA. The gut test to do when something is clearly wrong but standard GP testing has come back unremarkable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-long-description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhere breath testing captures gas producing bacteria in the small intestine, microbiome mapping captures the population of your large intestine. Modern PCR sequencing identifies and quantifies the beneficial bacterial genera (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium), the opportunistic organisms that shift balance (Clostridium difficile, Enterococcus, E. coli pathovars), fungal organisms (Candida albicans and non albicans, Rhodotorula), common parasites (Blastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba, Giardia), and Helicobacter pylori. Functional markers show how your gut is working: calprotectin (inflammation), pancreatic elastase (digestive enzyme adequacy), secretory IgA (mucosal immunity) and beta glucuronidase (oestrogen recycling and toxin handling). This is the test that typically identifies patterns that explain persistent symptoms where standard GP testing has come back normal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-ingredients\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat it measures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBiomarker\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSample\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eReference Range\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat it tells you\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeneficial Bacteria Profile\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStool (PCR)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdequate diversity preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMeasures Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and other protective species. Low diversity is a key dysbiosis pattern.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOpportunistic Organisms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStool (PCR)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow or absent preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClostridium difficile, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella, E. coli pathovars, Staphylococcus aureus. Overgrowth indicates dysbiosis.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParasites\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStool (PCR)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbsent preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Giardia, Cryptosporidium. Detection changes treatment approach significantly.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYeast and Fungi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStool (PCR)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow or absent preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCandida albicans, non albicans Candida species, Rhodotorula. Overgrowth often drives sugar cravings, brain fog and genital symptoms.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eH. pylori\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStool (PCR)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbsent preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe bacteria associated with gastric ulcers, reflux, B12 deficiency and elevated gastric cancer risk.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCalprotectin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStool\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnder 50 ug\/g normal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInflammatory marker that distinguishes inflammatory bowel disease patterns from functional disorders.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePancreatic Elastase\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStool\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbove 200 ug\/g normal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMeasures exocrine pancreatic function. Low elastase indicates digestive enzyme insufficiency and drives malabsorption.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSecretory IgA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStool\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWithin range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGut mucosal immunity. Both high (active immune response) and low (suppressed immunity) have clinical significance.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeta Glucuronidase\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStool\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWithin range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEnzyme that recycles oestrogen and toxins. Elevated activity can contribute to oestrogen dominance symptoms.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-how-to-take\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to collect and what to expect\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompleted at home. Collect a single stool sample using the provided kit. No dietary preparation required, but avoid probiotic supplements for 2 weeks before if possible for a cleaner baseline. Return in prepaid envelope with cold pack. Results in 14 to 21 business days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-warnings\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarnings and cautions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a health information test. Not appropriate within 4 weeks of antibiotic use, 2 weeks of probiotic supplement use, or during acute diarrhoeal illness. Do not self treat based on results. Parasite detection, H. pylori detection and inflammatory markers require clinical interpretation and often require follow up testing or prescription treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-faqs\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is this different from a GP stool test?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eA standard GP stool test usually screens for specific pathogens (Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter) and sometimes ova and parasites by microscopy. This test uses PCR sequencing to quantify the broader microbiome including beneficial bacteria, opportunistic organisms, yeasts, protozoan parasites that are often missed on microscopy, plus functional markers. It is substantially more comprehensive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat if parasites are found?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eParasite detection is clinically significant and typically requires targeted treatment. Blastocystis and Dientamoeba in particular often require specific antiprotozoal medication. Discuss positive results with a GP or functional medicine practitioner.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to be off probiotics?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eIdeally yes, for 2 weeks, to avoid probiotic organisms skewing the bacterial profile. If you cannot come off them (practitioner prescribed, medication adjacent), interpret the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium numbers with that context.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow soon can I retest after treatment?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eA minimum of 4 weeks after the end of any antimicrobial or antibiotic protocol is standard. Earlier testing can show false improvement as organisms are suppressed rather than cleared.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-clinical-evidence\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eClinical evidence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31578516\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003ePCR based microbiome analysis in clinical practice\u003c\/a\u003e: Evidence base for molecular stool analysis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23531143\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eCalprotectin in inflammatory bowel disease\u003c\/a\u003e: Diagnostic value of calprotectin in distinguishing IBD from IBS.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/28100908\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBlastocystis and gut symptoms\u003c\/a\u003e: Evolving understanding of Blastocystis clinical significance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NutriPath","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52591878865170,"sku":"OPTI-NUTRIPATH-GUT-BACTERIA-AND-PARASITE-STOO","price":507.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0557\/2087\/0083\/files\/optilabs-gut-bacteria-parasites-stool.png?v=1786431166","url":"https:\/\/optilabs.com.au\/products\/nutripath-gut-bacteria-and-parasite-stool-test","provider":"OptiLabs by Evergreen Doctors","version":"1.0","type":"link"}