Rupa Health Lab Shop
I’m pleased to be able to offer functional medicine lab tests to non-clients via my Rupa Health Lab Shop* (more tests are available than are in the image below). If you are thinking of working with me, I recommend you set up a free, 30-minute breakthrough session before ordering any lab tests.
Food Marble SIBO Breath Testing Device
For people with repeated issues with SIBO, or with bloating and constipation (which often requires more ongoing treatment), I recommend getting your own SIBO breath testing device through Food Marble. The Aire 2 is the most recent model and it comes with 2 breath testing glucose kits if ordered through me (at a 15% discount off retail). You can also use it to test for other food intolerances if you choose to order the food intolerances test kit. I need to submit a recommendation for you to obtain the clinical device and the testing medium for SIBO breath testing, so please reach out to me directly at lindsey@highdeserthealthcoaching.com to request a device.
Gut Microbiome Sequencing Tests
Tiny Health* is a new option in metagenomic sequencing targeted towards babies and children to age 3 and expectant moms (but applicable to anyone). It includes lists of beneficial microbes, disruptive microbes, the bacterial phyla and ratios, your gut type, antibiotic resistance signature, gut inflammation markers, digestion and absorption markers, balance and robustness, top 20 species details by percentage, a list of all microbes present and recommendations for improving your microbiome through diet, supplements and exercise. Get $20 off with my link above or code: THEPERFECTSTOOL. You can also find the Tiny Health PRO version, including intestinal health and digestion markers that you’d get on practitioner tests like the GI Map, in my Rupa Health Lab Shop*.
BiomeFX* is a relatively new metagenomic sequencing microbiome test on the market from Microbiome Labs, well-known for their evidence-based supplements, including Megasporebiotic. I discussed BiomeFX on episode 55 of my podcast. BiomeFX centers around not only the presence of pathogens, but also diversity, richness, keystone species, and metabolic functions of the gut microbiome. Through these insights, BiomeFx offers actionable nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations to more favorably support the ecology of your microbiome. You won’t be able to access your raw data, but will be alerted to high levels of pathogens. You can get 20% off using my affiliate link above (as well as 20% off any of the Microbiome Labs products).
You can order your own micro/mycobiome sequencing test (using 16s DNA technology, an earlier technology than metagenomics) through my affiliate account at BIOHM* (see link from Shop Menu, Biohm Gut Test Kit). Get 40% off with code: “HDH”. They sequence your gut bacteria, archaea and fungi (including candida), report on the quantities of known phyla of gut bugs and their comparison to the norm, give you a gut health score, and recommend diet changes and supplements to help bring your gut into balance. This is the least expensive type test I am aware of that will help you determine if you have candida overgrowth, although it is much less accurate than the Organic Acids Test (see below) for this purpose.
Another metagenomic testing company is Thorne*. They also sequence all the parasites, bacteria, fungi, archaea and viruses in your gut and identify any pathogens, letting you know with a call from a practitioner if you have any pathogens of serious concern. They also offer your raw data to you; give you scores on how your gut microbiome impacts inflammation, constipation and diarrhea; compare your diversity, phylla, keystone taxa and community to the norm; show you how your gut bacteria are at providing certain micronutrients (B12, B6 and B3) and short chain fatty acids; and give you individualized recommendations on supplements and diet.
Practitioner Grade Stool and Urine Tests
The Tiny Health PRO is a new option that combines metagenomic sequencing (a complete sequencing of all gut microbes including parasites, fungi and bacterial pathogens) with intestinal health and digestion markers that you’d get on practitioner-grade tests. While it’s targeted towards babies and children to age 3 and expectant moms, it’s applicable to any adult and is the best price for all the information it contains. You can find it in my Rupa Health Lab Shop*.
The GI Map from Diagnostic Solutions is a diagnostic stool test that uses PCR technology to identify specific pathogens, including parasites, pathogenic or overgrown bacteria (including H. Pylori) and viruses. Additionally, it has many markers of gut health and digestive organ function and inflammation. I use this test with clients with serious gut issues. It can be ordered through my Rupa Health Lab Shop*.
Another common functional gut and health test that I often use with clients is called the Organic Acids Test, which shows bacterial and fungal overgrowths, neurotransmitter imbalances, Krebs cycle functioning, oxalates, digestion of protein, fatty acids and carbohydrates, and much more. It can be ordered through my Rupa Health Lap Shop*. I choose the Mosaic Organic Acids Test for clients who may have potential environmental mold exposure, and the Genova Organix for clients who do not have such known exposures.
For clients with autoimmunity, likely nutritional deficiencies or complex conditions like fatigue, mental health issues or fibromyalgia, I usually recommend the Metabolomix+ test from Genova. It includes the Genova Organix organic acids test, but also has complete urine amino acids and the option to add on comprehensive urine elements (minerals and heavy metals) and fatty acids via bloodspot. This alleviates the need to get a blood draw, but provides almost as much information as the NutrEval. It can be ordered through my Rupa Health Lab Shop*.
Blood and Functional Medicine Gut Tests
You can order low cost lab work (blood tests) for yourself through my affiliate accounts at Ulta Lab Tests*
or Yourlabwork.com* (I will receive an affiliate commission). If the test requires a blood draw, you can schedule it at a lab near you and will have to pay an additional fee for the blood draw.
Functional medicine tests for SIBO, complete stool analysis, lactose intolerance and intestinal permeability (i.e., leaky gut) are also available from YourLabwork.com* (use this link not the one above).
You can order your own Genova tests , including their version of the Organic Acids Test, Organix, and the Genova NutrEval through my Rupa Health Lab Shop* which I use with clients with more complex conditions like ME/CFS and autoimmunity.
Please note: I am not a medical doctor and I cannot receive lab results from the lab, read or interpret labs, or diagnose or treat any medical condition. What I can do is share with you optimal functional ranges for your labs, guide you to resources to help you understand your labs, share with you food, lifestyle and supplements you may want to consider based on your lab results or share anything I see that raises potential concerns or red flags that you may want to investigate further or discuss with your doctor.
*These tests are part of affiliate accounts. I will receive a commission if you order from these links. Thank you for your support of my podcast and blog by using them.