This test is useful for

• Gastrointestinal Symptoms
• Autoimmune Disease
• IBD/IBS
• Inflammation
• Food Sensitivities
• Nutritional Deficiencies

Find out more

• View Sample Report
• Gatrointestinal Health brochure: click here. 
• Please contact us at (714) 864-3730 or pe@anti-fragilityhealth.com to order your test.

Gastrointestinal Health

Clinical microbiology plays a crucial role in individual and community health. Because most microbes living on or within the body are beneficial, distinguishing those that are disease-producing is a critical function of a clinical microbiology laboratory.

Doctor's Data bridges traditional clinical microbiology with complementary medicine, providing world-class diagnostic microbiology testing that helps you assess digestive and absorptive functions, detect pathogens or parasites and identify specific bacteria and yeast. Through specimens collected from a variety of body sites and the use of advanced assays and technology, Doctor's Data determines what microorganisms are present and which may be causing infection. Our painstaking approach can help you select the most appropriate antimicrobial therapy and the comprehensive nature of our testing represents real value for your patients and practice.

Detailed Information

According to Dr. Hermann R. Bueno of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in London, "parasites are the missing diagnosis in the genesis of many chronic health problems, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system."
While parasitic infection may be an underlying etiological factor in several chronic disease processes, doctors often do not consider the potential for parasitic involvement because signs and symptoms of parasitic infection often resemble those of other diseases. However, it has been shown that parasite testing is a reasonable approach to the detection of causative agents for chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
Most Americans are inclined to believe that parasitic infection is a rare and exotic occurrence, limited to those who have traveled to distant, tropical lands. However, for a number of reasons, there has been an increase in the incidence of parasitic infection in this country. These may include:

• Contamination of the water supply
• Increased use of daycare centers
• Increased travel to, and visits from, countries where parasitic infection is endemic
• Household pets
• Consumption of exotic and uncooked foods
• Antibiotic use
• Changing sexual mores

Signs and symptoms of parasitic infection vary from one individual to another. The more common are constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, arthralgias, myalgias, anemia, increased allergic reactions, skin lesions, agitation and anxiety, difficulty with sleep, decreased energy, malnutrition and decreased immune function.
Infection can occur by four different pathways. These routes include:

• Contaminated food or water
• Insect vectors
• Sexual contact
• Passage through the skin and nose

A thorough patient history will help assess the possibility of parasitic infection and the need for appropriate testing to confirm the suspicion. Parasitology testing can include one-, two- or three-day collection, based on practitioner preference.

Before You Start:

Please read all of the directions, and familiarize yourself with the collection procedures. The stool specimens for this test must be collected on three separate days. It is preferable, but not necessary, to collect on consecutive days but the final collection must be made within seven days of the first. If you are taking antifungal or antibiotic medications, please finish the course of medication, and then wait three days before starting this collection.

Collection Instructions: here