• Digestive symptoms: Ongoing bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort or altered bowel habits.
• Recurrent digestive imbalance: Suspected imbalance between beneficial and non-beneficial intestinal flora.
• Post-antibiotic changes: Digestive symptoms following antibiotic use.
• Yeast-related concerns: Suspected intestinal yeast overgrowth.
• Fatigue and energy changes: Persistent fatigue that may relate to gut health.
• Headaches: Chronic or recurrent headaches with possible gut-related drivers.
• Food reactions: Food allergies or sensitivities with a digestive component.
• Autoimmune conditions: Autoimmune diseases where gut ecology is being explored.
• Follow-up testing: Review after treatment guided by a broader stool analysis.

Overview

The Microbiology with Sensitivities (bacteria & yeast) test uses stool culture techniques to assess intestinal ecology, including the growth of beneficial, imbalanced and pathogenic bacteria and yeast. When organisms of interest are cultured, sensitivity testing to a range of prescriptive and natural agents is performed to provide additional context.

This test may be clinically useful when practitioners want to explore bacterial or yeast-related imbalances identified through stool culture and to review sensitivity patterns that may inform next steps. It is often used as a targeted follow-up to broader stool testing when specific organisms require closer evaluation.

Practitioners typically interpret results alongside symptom history, dietary patterns, medication use, recent antimicrobial exposure and other laboratory findings. Sensitivity information is reviewed in context when discussing options with clients.

Practical

Test type:

Gastrointestinal function: bacteriology, parasitology, yeast cultures, intestinal microflora, microbial parasites and pathogens, intestinal health

Specimen requirements: STOOL

QUANTITY: Each vial must be filled until the indicated fill line, and must not be filled to the top.

STORAGE: 

Yellow/Orange capped vials: REFRIGERATE (DO NOT freeze)

No Call / Inhibited
In certain circumstances, stool samples may not yield results for a limited section of viruses, pathogenic bacteria and parasites [known as : No Call / Inhibited]. Statistically this can affect approximately 6% of tests.
Many factors contribute to this issue including diet, medication, supplements, and competing DNA. Excessive calcium, tannic acid, bile salts, haemoglobin, melanin, collagen, urea, degradation products, complex polysaccharides and polyphenolic substances have also been found to cause inhibition.Test reports affected are not considered to be defective and thus are not eligible for cancellation or refunds.
Resubmission of the a supplementary sample to attempt analysis can be accommodated with billable costs limited to supply and return shipping.
By ordering this test, you accept the conditions and risks explained here.

Age requirements:

Applicable to all ages. For infants and new-borns, collect from the middle of the stool, not touching the diaper as this will contaminate the sample. The stool needs to be free of urine.

Average processing time:

14 days