The GI-MAP Stool Test: short for Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus
The GI-MAP Stool Test is one of the most comprehensive stool test we use to look at what’s actually living in your gut. Using DNA-level analysis, it identifies the bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses that may be quietly contributing to digestive trouble, fatigue, skin issues, mood changes, and so much more.
What you should know about GI-MAP
What it measures
Beneficial bacteria, opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria, parasites, yeast and fungi, viruses, markers of inflammation, gut immune function, digestion of fats and proteins, leaky-gut markers, and more.
Symptoms it helps explain
Bloating that worsens after meals, gas, constipation or diarrhea (or alternating), heartburn, food sensitivities, brain fog, fatigue, eczema and other skin flare-ups, low mood, autoimmune flares, and that frustrating sense that “something’s off in my gut” even when other tests look normal.
What we’ll do with results
We’ll review every section together and map your results against your symptoms. From there, we design a step-by-step protocol — usually some form of “weed, seed, and feed” — to clear what shouldn’t be there, restore what should be, and rebuild a gut environment that supports the rest of your healing.
Why looking at the gut is so important
About 70% of your immune system lives in your gut, alongside the second-largest collection of nerve cells in your body. this is sometimes called your “second brain” because of how richly the gut and the brain talk to each other.
Most people are surprised to learn that roughly 90% of your body’s serotonin, the neurotransmitter that shapes mood, sleep, appetite, and that overall sense of contentment, is actually produced in the gut, not the brain. The gut also makes or modulates dopamine (focus and motivation), GABA (calm), and the precursors your body uses to make melatonin for sleep. When the gut is inflamed, imbalanced, or holding onto something it shouldn’t be, the production of these neurotransmitters takes a hit. That’s why so many people with gut issues also struggle with anxiety, low mood, brain fog, and poor sleep, even when nothing seems “wrong” on a mental health level.
When digestion is off, almost everything else is harder to fix: energy, mood, skin, hormones, and immunity all depend on a gut that’s working properly. The GI-MAP gives us a precise, evidence-based starting point: not a guess, but real data showing what’s there, what’s missing, and how your gut is functioning right now. That’s why it’s so often the very first test I recommend.
Once we fix digestion and gut dysbiosis, we move on to the DUTCH test or other testing based on your personal complaints and concerns. Everything that is done is personal and directed by YOU and your concerns! This is the new personal healthcare.
Common Questions about GI_MAP
The test kit arrives at your home with everything you need. You’ll collect a small stool sample (the instructions walk you through it step by step), package it up, and ship it back to the lab using the prepaid label included. The whole thing takes about five minutes.
Continue eating the way you normally do in the days leading up to collection; we want results that reflect your real, everyday gut environment. We will discuss any necessary changes to supplements if needed. We’ll go over a few specifics (like antibiotics, probiotics, or certain supplements) that may need timing adjustments.
Do not to panic; this is actually common, and finding it is what allows us to address it. Many opportunistic organisms are quietly present in people who don’t feel terrible; what matters is what’s contributing to your symptoms and how we respond. We will walk through the findings and build a protocol matched to exactly what shows up in your test and focus on your personal concerns.
We love making people feel BETTER!
With highly trained practitioners, including a Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in clinical medicine. We consider the whole person and focus on uncovering the cause of your symptoms.