The GI-MAP (Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus) is a revolutionary stool test that provides a detailed look at your gut health. Using cutting-edge DNA technology, this test uncovers the root causes of chronic symptoms by analyzing the microbes living in your gut and evaluating key markers of digestion, inflammation, and immune function.
Think of it as a personalized health report for your digestive system—a tool that helps us understand what’s really going on inside your gut so we can create a plan to help you feel your best.

The GI-MAP is designed to be simple, private, and convenient. Here’s how it works:

Collect Your Sample:
You’ll receive a test kit with everything you need to collect a small stool sample at home. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the process is designed to be as mess-free as possible.

Send It to the Lab:
Once you’ve collected your sample, you’ll package it up and send it to the lab using a prepaid FedEx label. No need to drop it off anywhere—FedEx can even pick it up from your home.

Get Your Results:
The lab uses advanced DNA-based technology to analyze your sample and generate a detailed report. This report will be sent to me and I will review it with you and explain what the findings mean.

The GI-MAP provides a comprehensive overview of your gut health, evaluating several key areas:

Pathogenic Microbes:
These are the “bad guys” like harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that can cause infections or disrupt your gut balance.

Opportunistic and Commensal Bacteria:
These are the bacteria that are supposed to live in your gut, but if they’re out of balance, they can cause problems. The test also looks at how well these bacteria are producing beneficial compounds like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

Immune Markers:
It measures markers like secretory IgA (your gut’s first line of defense) and anti-gliadin IgA (which can indicate sensitivity to gluten).

Inflammation Markers:
It checks for calprotectin, a marker of gut inflammation, which can help identify conditions like IBS or IBD.
Digestive Function:
It evaluates how well your pancreas is producing enzymes to break down food (e.g., pancreatic elastase), along with Steatocrit (fat malabsorption).
Mucosal Barrier and Detox Capacity:
It looks at markers that indicate how well your gut lining is functioning and whether it’s protecting you from toxins and pathogens.

Gut health significantly influences various bodily systems, including digestive, immune, metabolic, skin, brain, and neuroendocrine health.

One of the most common questions people ask is, “How is the GI-MAP different from the stool tests I’d get through my doctor?” Here’s the breakdown:

Conventional Stool Tests
Focus: These tests are typically used to check for acute infections, like food poisoning or travel-related illnesses. They’re looking for specific pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, or C. difficile.

Technology: Conventional tests often rely on older methods like culture or microscopy. For example, a stool sample might be cultured to see if a specific bacteria grows, or a lab technician might look at the sample under a microscope to check for parasites.

Results: These tests are qualitative, meaning they give a simple “yes” or “no” answer—either the pathogen is present, or it’s not.

GI-MAP
Focus: The GI-MAP doesn’t just look for infections—it evaluates the overall health of your gut. It provides a functional overview, highlighting imbalances and dysfunctions that could be contributing to chronic symptoms.

Technology: The GI-MAP uses quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology to detect and measure microbial DNA with incredible sensitivity and specificity. It can identify as little as 0.1 cells per gram of stool, making it far more accurate for detecting low-level imbalances or overgrowths.

Results: The GI-MAP provides quantitative results, meaning it doesn’t just tell us if something is there—it tells us how much is there. This is crucial for understanding whether a microbe is truly problematic.

The GI-MAP test is a diagnostic tool for serious illnesses and must be ordered by a healthcare practitioner. They are responsible for interpreting the results and developing a personalized treatment plan.

To determine if a claim may be covered, please contact your insurance provider directly. They can provide the most accurate information on your specific plan's benefits and limitations. We can provide you with a receipt to submit for reimbursement.