Stool Testing

Gastrointestinal (GI) complaints are among the most common reasons that patients seek medical care. Symptoms associated with GI disorders include persistent diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and malabsorption. The Comprehensive Stool Analysis with Parasitology (x2 samples) may be used to assess digestive and absorptive functions, the presence of opportunistic pathogens and to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic remediation of GI disorders. 

The analysis evaluates the status of beneficial and imbalanced commensal bacteria including Clostridium species, pathogenic bacteria, yeast/fungus and parasites. Precise identification of pathogenic species and susceptibility testing greatly facilitates selection of the most appropriate pharmaceutical or natural treatment agent(s). 

 

Important information regarding the efficiency of digestion and absorption can be gleaned from the measurement of the fecal levels of elastase (pancreatic exocrine sufficiency), muscle and vegetable fibers, carbohydrates, and steatocrit (% total fat). 

Lactoferrin and Calprotectin are reliable markers for differentiating organic inflammation (IBD) from function symptoms (IBS) and for management of IBD. Monitoring levels of fecal lactoferrin and calprotectin can play an essential role in determining the effectiveness of therapy, are good predictors of IBD remission, and can indicate a low risk of relapse. Lysozyme* is an enzyme secreted at the site of inflammation in the GI tract and elevated levels have been identified in IBD patients. White Blood Cells (WBC) and Mucus in the stool can occur with bacterial and parasitic infections, with mucosal irritation, and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Since the vast majority of secretory IgA (sIgA) is normally present in the GI tract where it prevents binding of pathogens and antigens to the mucosal membrane, it is essential to know the status of sIgA in the gut. sIgA is the only bona fide marker of humoral immune status in the GI tract.