Microbiome test by Genova Diagnostics

[Clues]

I'm about to order a microbiome analysis from Genova Diagnostics, via a local private doctor.

The specific test is called GI Effects Comprehensive Profile - Stool. It's fairly expensive at 6700 NOK ≈ 783 USD.

Has anyone had this test done? Any thoughts on it? Usefulness, scientific rigour, etc.

[Iwillbeatthis]

Get the GI 360 test through Amy Yaskos website it is better than the GI effects test (includes more stuff), plus you will get her feedback on what to take specifically for each bad bacteria imbalance. She reviews thousands and thousands of these tests so she knows exactly what supplement to suggest for each specific bacteria imbalance.

https://www.holisticheal.com/gi360-test.html

I've attached my test results bellow so you can see an example. In my opinion it is much more useful than getting a test yourself and then not knowing what to do about the results like I see with a lot of people on this forum. Or even through another doctor who probably wouldn't give as many suggestions for each specific bacteria imbalance.

For example she suggested Usnea for the ruminococcus gnavus overgrowth and this bacteria is related to the clostridia species which is one of the pathogens which can block the DBH enzyme (converts dopamine to noradrenaline) and my other tests showed DBH was inhibited. I tried a normal dose of the usnea and the immune response was very strong especially with my neurotransmitters while things like oregano oil don't really do anything for me. I am now starting again with a very low dose of the usnea and I am noticing a big difference in my neurotransmitters and functioning already. My bad kidney symptoms which I have had for months have also got better since starting the usnea.

[Clues]

Thanks for the suggestion. The tests look pretty similar at first glance, what are some specific things that are included in GI360 but not the other one?

The test I mentioned was recommended by a local doctor who is specialised in the gut microbiome and would be able to advise me based on the results.

[Iwillbeatthis]

I think it includes more pathogens via PCR so like salmonella, viruses etc. If I didn't have this specific test I wouldn't have known I had salmonella.

I was surprised by her suggestion about cilantro as when I eat it in foods I never noticed anything bad, however I started eating it raw in larger quantities and it provokes a very strong immune response: red feet and hands, rashes, enlarged veins, sore throat, increased mucus in throat and headache, brain fog and feeling weird.

It is also a heavy metal chelator.

I'm interested to see your levels of Ruminococcus gnavus as this showed an overgrowth for me and is strongly linked to lupus and other illnesses, I also have high ANA and other autoimmune antibodies https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190219080742.htm

[swell]

I cannot comment on the test vendors, but I can tell you that microbiome testing is KICK-ASS useful.  I have had a $79 dna sequencing for stool microbiome, it costs normally I think 149.  But do do get tested and share.   Make sure the company you get is willing to share the "raw data".  I personally do not trust anything in a report and like to knaw through the actual data.  My results are VERY atypical, I am still analyzing them before I speak out

[Charles_b]

I have had testing by all of the major ones (GI-Map, GI-effects, Great Plains) and each of them told a vastly different story, and we’re not particularly helpful in my specific case.

The information is interesting and sometimes contradictory between tests (for example GI-MAP had me positive for high levels of H Pylori and the other two detected none), but personally there were no takeaways for me the helped.  Your mileage may vary though.

I think it is a promising test but still in its infancy.

[demografx]

Charles_b, and other forum members, thanks for reporting on state-of-the-art GI testing!

[Iwillbeatthis]

The information is interesting and sometimes contradictory between tests (for example GI-MAP had me positive for high levels of H Pylori and the other two detected none), but personally there were no takeaways for me the helped.  Your mileage may vary though.

In this instance this it isn't a contradiction, h pylori can be very hard to detect as it can hide in the cells lining the gut which is why the protocol I'm on does DNA testing for h pylori via saliva, stools and urine to make sure it doesn't miss it, as it can be missed on antigen tests etc. Things like baking soda can also trick the h pyrloi to come out of hiding for tests.

If you tested positive once for h pylori then you need to address it as it can have a big impact on your neurotransmitters.

[Charles_b]

The thing is I did treat for H Pylori with Pylera and it made me sicker during treatment and for several months after.  Absolutely no change to my digestive symptoms or POIS at all, and if nothing else it was slightly worse.  That’s why I look critically whether I ever had it.  Also there were other contradictions, as in one the tests said I was a 9/10 in inflammation and dysbiosis, and GI Effects said my digestion and inflammation were perfectly healthy, while the entire time my symptoms were unchanged.  I’m not saying they are useless and I realize that each test may show something different depending on the day you take it… but to me that is all the more reason to take them with a large grain of salt.  They give a partial picture of our microbiome, which is something science admits is so vast that we are barely beginning to understand it and methodologies to determine what is healthy or not are still being researched.

[Clues]

Thanks for your input everyone. I decided to go for GI Effects Comprehensive Profile by Genova Diagnostics. My doctor (a private doctor specialised in gut health) took a look at the most comprehensive GI 360 test and she claimed there wasn't that much of a difference. Also, it was way more convenient for me to do the Genova one as I was able to drop it off the stool samples at a local lab. Might do the GI 360 one later if I still feel like the gut angle is promising. Will have the results in 3 weeks. I'll post them here.

On the debate about whether microbiome problems are worth pursuing. Based on what I've read so far, and my symptom picture, it definitely seems plausible that an unhealthy gut microbiome could be the root cause. The trouble though, which I raised with my doctor, seems to be that we know so little about the gut microbiome at this point. AFAIK there are lots of bacteria that haven't been mapped out yet, and lots we don't know the function of. My doctor's response was that sure, there's a lot we don't know, but there are certain specific bacteria or families of bacteria that are either proven to be pathogenic or proven to be beneficial. So the presence or absence of those might be helpful to know about, and if things are clearly in a bad state, you can consider a faecal transplant or other treatments.

[ozmoses]

I did the Diagnostic Solutions GI Map and it indicated that I had high H pylori and SIBO related issues which make sense given the symptoms.