What can you learn from a microbiome test?

What you can learn from a microbiome test totally depends on which test it is. While we think microbiome tests are useful, ideally you need to know more about what’s going on in your gut than just the types and levels of microbes that live there. These more comprehensive tests are usually called ‘gut health tests’. Even among the basic microbiome tests, there’s a big difference between providers. While some microbiome tests will only give you very basic information, like your levels of the most common species of bacteria, others will provide a much more detailed analysis. At Healthpath, we have a range of gut health tests that all include microbiome analysis. There are many other companies that offer microbiome testing in the UK: uBiome and Atlas Biomed are a couple of examples. Microbial families Bacteria and other microbes exist in a kind of family tree, like animals. A Siberian tiger is a kind of tiger. A tiger is a kind of cat, which is a kind of mammal. In the same way, Lactobacillus acidophilus is a kind of lactobacillus bacteria. Lactobacillus bacteria are a kind of Lactobacillaceae, which belongs to the larger family of Lactobacillales. That’s oversimplifying it, but you get the idea. The point is that some tests give a very broad overview, looking at the proportion of ‘mammals’ in your microbiome, while others are able to tell how many of those are ‘Siberian tigers’. This matters, because closely related types of bacteria can do very different jobs within our bodies. E. coli Nissle, for example, is a very beneficial bacteria used to help people with Crohn’s disease, while E. coli 0157 can cause bloody diarrhoea.

Are gut microbiome tests legitimate?

Not all gut microbiome tests on the market are legitimate. Just like most products, there are good ones and bad ones. They’re all different. The only thing they all have in common is that you have to send off your poo to a lab to get the results. There are hundreds on the market now, so it’s worth doing some research to find the best one for you. Many have reviews on Amazon, for instance. Scientists have used gut microbiome testing in some of the most valuable medical discoveries of the 21st century. There’s a mountain of research that proves gut microbiome testing (when done properly) is a legitimate way to find out about the types and levels of specific types of microbes in someone’s gut [Source: PubMed].

Do gut health tests work?

Gut health tests (as opposed to microbiome tests or gut bacteria tests) give you a lot more information than microbiome tests. They’re designed to give you insight into the health and goings-on of your gut, and the good ones certainly do that. Gut health tests are about a lot more than just bacteria. They give you information on inflammation, immunity, digestive function and a lot more besides. A microbiome test is just that: a test of your microbiome. Gut health tests (and microbiome tests) are all different. Have a thorough look at what a gut health test offers before you buy it.

What is the best microbiome test?

The best microbiome test should be accurate and effective: that means it should reveal a true picture of the types and levels of microbes in your gut. Once you’ve sifted all the good microbiome tests out of all the options on the market, how do you decide between them? For a deep dive into your gut health you need more than a microbiome test. Choose a comprehensive gut health test. What to look for on a gut health test: Different types of technology: 6s, qPCR, and culture Bacteria analysis Archaea analysis Dysbiosis index Pathogenic bacteria detection Yeast, parasite and worm detection Digestion biomarkers Inflammation and immunity markers Leaky gut biomarker Feedback on your test results by a qualified practitioner Diet suggestions Suggested supplements Lifestyle advice Online dashboard for results A qualified customer care team for any questions A professional assessment of your symptoms We created a comparison chart that includes the UK’s most popular gut health and microbiome tests, so you can see what each one includes at a glance

How do I know if my microbiome is healthy?

In general, if you’re healthy, your microbiome is healthy. People with health conditions and diseases are much more likely to have an unhealthy microbiome than healthy people [Source: PubMed]. Diversity: what we all want Healthy microbiomes are all different, but they all have one thing in common: diversity. While there’s no one formula to create a healthy microbiome, your gut should contain many different types, families and species of microbes. A lack of diversity is linked to an endless number of diseases [Source: PubMed]. The latest research is also revealing links between levels of specific types of microbes and specific diseases. Many of these are included on our Gut Health Tests. Get some insider knowledge and download a sample report to see which bacteria we test for.

How do I fix my microbiome?

Because everyone’s microbiome is different, we can’t tell you exactly how to fix your microbiome. However, there are some general rules that almost everybody benefits from following. Find out the basics of how to get a healthy gut in our blog 9 ways to get a healthy gut.

How do I get rid of bad bacteria in the gut?

There are actually relatively few bacteria that you should ‘get rid of.’ While some—like salmonella or campylobacter—are very bad news, bacteria are mostly neither good nor bad: at normal levels, they’re neutral. In an unbalanced microbiome though, some microbes can multiply to abnormal levels. A good gut health test will show you which microbes have multiplied beyond healthy levels. Again, it’s all about diversity and balance. Read more about how getting rid of overgrown bacteria is not always a good plan in our blog How to get rid of bad bacteria in the gut.

How much does microbiome testing cost?

You can get a very cheap microbiome test for just over £100, but it may not provide you with enough information to make targeted changes to your health. Check out our comparison chart to see which microbiome and gut health tests provide what.

Is microbiome testing covered by insurance?

Your policy may provide cover for microbiome and gut health testing, but most basic plans don’t. We recommend that you contact your provider and ask.

A microbiome test analyses the types and levels of microbes in your gut No two tests are the same: some are basic, others are much deeper A gut health test is different: analysing microbes is just a tiny part of what they do A good gut health test gives you information on your digestive function, inflammation levels, the presence of pathogenic microbes, worms or parasites and much more Healthpath Gut Health Tests are the only ones on the UK market that come with bespoke diet, supplement and lifestyle advice from qualified practitioners as part of the price

Alexandra Falconer | 04 Jun 2024 | Gut Health

Can My GP Test For SIBO?

By Alexandra Falconer

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth—better known as ‘SIBO’—has got a lot of press in recent years.

Your small intestine is only supposed to contain low numbers of bacteria and other microbes. SIBO happens when too many end up there.

Twenty years ago, we thought bacteria only overgrew in your small intestine after an operation, or if you had a serious problem with your immune system. Today, research has found that upto 85% of people with IBS symptoms have SIBO [Source: PubMed].

The good news is that many doctors now test for SIBO, which means you can get tested and treated for SIBO on the NHS. The bad news is that not all doctors recognise SIBO, and some may not have even heard of it.

If you want your GP to test for SIBO, you might need to help them a little. Read on to find out how.

Why do you think you have SIBO?

The symptoms of SIBO are also the symptoms of many other health conditions, so it’s very difficult to diagnose it without a test.

If you can show your GP medically reviewed evidence that your gut symptoms point towards SIBO, they are a lot more likely to recommend a test. There are now hundreds of research papers on SIBO. It could be a good idea to show your GP some of this research if they are unfamiliar with SIBO.

You can find out more about the symptoms of SIBO and the health conditions linked to it on our SIBO page.

SIBO symptoms

A study in 2007 [Source: PubMed] stated that the symptoms of SIBO are:

abdominal pain/discomfort
bloating
abdominal distension (a big belly)
diarrhoea
flatulence (wind)
weakness

A 2020 study brought together some of the latest research and guidelines on SIBO [Source: PubMed], and states that SIBO can cause constipation. This is important because even if your GP has heard of SIBO, they may not be aware of the fact that it can cause constipation as well as diarrhoea.

Could your symptoms be SIBO?

View our at home SIBO test

How do doctors test for SIBO?

Your GP can’t test you for SIBO. If your GP wants you to get a SIBO test, they have to refer you to a gastroenterologist who will carry out the test, usually at a hospital.

If you’re finding it all a bit confusing, you’re not alone. Check out our article SIBO test: all your questions answered to find out everything you need to know about SIBO testing in the UK.

SIBO testing on the NHS

Some NHS trusts don’t test for SIBO, so even if your GP agrees that you should have a SIBO test, they can’t refer you for one. If you live in an area where the NHS doesn’t test for SIBO, you can get a SIBO test privately, either through us at Healthpath or another provider.

If you do get referred to a gastroenterologist for a SIBO test, you’ll drink a sugary solution then spend a few hours at the hospital, breathing into a tube every 20 minutes. Your breath samples are then analysed to measure the levels of certain gases (methane and hydrogen) you breathed out.

The test should measure both these gases. Some NHS tests may only measure hydrogen. The test should also last for three hours to get the most accurate result. Unfortunately, some hospitals and clinics only run two-hour tests.

At Healthpath, we use three-hour SIBO tests that analyse both hydrogen and methane. Find out more about our SIBO test.

What type of doctor treats SIBO?

A gastroenterologist treats SIBO. If you get a positive result, they can prescribe the antibiotics you’ll need to treat the bacterial overgrowth.

However, you can also treat SIBO with specific herbs and supplements, with the guidance of a Registered Nutritional Therapist or Functional Medicine Practitioner. Research has shown that some herbal compounds are even more effective than antibiotics at treating SIBO [Source: PubMed].

Where can I get a SIBO test?

If you want to get a SIBO test through the NHS, you’ll have to ask your GP. They could refer you to a gastroenterologist who can test and treat you relatively quickly, but the waiting time is usually a minimum of eight weeks.

SIBO testing in the UK

You can also get a SIBO test privately. There are many SIBO test providers on the UK market. However, many of them only provide the test and the result, with no advice or protocol to follow to tackle your symptoms.

As far as we know, Healthpath is the only SIBO test provider in the UK that gives advice and a treatment plan as part of the test price.

Do you suspect SIBO?

View our at home SIBO test

How much does a SIBO test cost?

If you get the test through the NHS, it’s free. You may have a fee to pay for any prescription that your doctor gives you, of course.

Our SIBO test costs £185. With that, you get:

A SIBO breath test kit, which you’ll take at home and send back to us for our accredited labs to analyse
A hand-picked SIBO diet plan and Healthpath education program, designed to support your health journey
A review of your test results and symptoms by a qualified practitioner
Your bespoke test report
An advanced supplement plan, based on your SIBO results and symptom questionnaire (you’ll fill this in before you take the test)

Conclusion

You could get a SIBO test through your GP, but it depends on how much your doctor knows about SIBO and which area of the UK you live in.
If your doctor does agree to test for SIBO, they’ll have to refer you to a gastroenterologist for an appointment, which could take a long time.
A SIBO test should last for three hours and analyse both hydrogen and methane.
Some NHS trusts only test for hydrogen, and/or use two-hour tests.
You can buy a SIBO test privately, which will probably be a much quicker process than taking it through the NHS.
Make sure your test analyses both hydrogen and methane, and lasts for three hours.
Healthpath’s SIBO test comes with the professional advice and supplement recommendations you need to treat SIBO if you get a positive result.
If you get a negative result, you don’t have SIBO, but symptoms like diarrhoea, bloating and constipation mean you still need to address your gut health.
Our SIBO test comes with tailored diet, lifestyle and supplement advice to support your symptoms whether you have SIBO or you don’t.

Author

Alexandra Falconer MA (Dist) DipCNM mBANT is a Registered Nutritional Therapist specialising in IBS and related conditions. A graduate of Brighton’s College of Naturopathic Medicine, she is committed to fighting the root causes of chronic illness and bringing functional medicine to everyone who needs it.

Before her natural health career, Alex was a journalist and copywriter. She continues to write for magazines and media agencies, and now combines her two great passions—writing and health—by creating content that empowers people to claim their right to a healthy body and mind.

Tags: #Bacterial Overgrowth, #Guidelines, #Gut, #IBS, #Intestine, #SIBO, #SIBO test, #SIBO testing, #test, #Tests