Benefits of Comprehensive Stool Testing

Digestion is an area of health that I support frequently in my NW Calgary Naturopathic Medicine Practice. Digestion and gut health has a major influence on a patients overall health and quality of life, so it is no surprise that digestive issues are one of the most common concerns I see in my practice.

The health of your gut can influence many things, including your energy levels, immune system, hormone health, mental health, and your skin (such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and even complexion), just to name a few.

I see a variety of digestive concerns in my practice including bloating, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal gas with odor, excessive burning, acid reflux and heartburn, and more.

Comprehensive stool testing can give me a very detailed picture on many aspects of a patients digestive health, and allows me to rule in and rule out certain diagnoses so I can create an individualized treatment plan for my patient.

What does Comprehensive Stool Testing show?

• Quality of digestion of protein, fat and fiber
• Inflammation levels, including calprotectin, and leaky gut
• Overgrowth of commensal bacteria, potential patterns of SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
• Presence of pathogenic bacteria
• Yeast overgrowth
• Presence of parasites
• Overall health and abundance of the gut microbiome

How can Comprehensive Stool Testing influence my treatment?

Once I receive the results of the stool test, I can determine how best to support my patient. It will tell me:

• If a patient could benefit from digestive support via enzymes or herbs
• If there is inflammation in the gut that we need to address
• If there is leaky gut that we need to work on healing
• If there is adequate fiber in the patients diet
• If there is enough fiber variety in the patients diet
• If there is an overgrowth of bacteria that could benefit from a natural anti microbial
• If there is a yeast overgrowth that could benefit from a natural anti microbial
• If there are parasites present that would require anti parasitic medications or herbs
• What the best strain of probiotics for the patient is
• What agents would be most successful in killing off pathogenic bacteria and parasites that are present

As you can see, Comprehensive stool testing takes out a lot of the guess work and trial and error that would be required without testing.

Can a patient get stool testing through their MD?

Yes certain bacteria and parasites can be tested through a patients MD, but the panel would not include as many strains as are tested on a comprehensive panel. In addition, this stool test requires 3 stool samples, because parasites are notoriously difficult to find in stool, thus increasing the likelihood of detecting a parasite that is present.

Calprotectin can also be tested through a patients MD. In addition a FIT test would show occult blood in the stool.

What health concerns would warrant a Comprehensive Stool Test?

• IBS
• Abdominal bloating, pain, cramping, gas with odor, excessive burping
• Constipation and/or Diarrhea
• IBD: Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis
• Skin concerns: Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis
• Mental health concerns: Anxiety, Depression
• Fatigue
• Difficult weight loss
• Suspicion of SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
• Acid reflux
• Autoimmune disease
• Seasonal allergies

Every patient has a different and complex picture of symptoms and health history so determining whether a Comprehensive Stool Test is required is individualized. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my NW Calgary Naturopathic Medicine practice to discuss if Stool Testing would be right for you!

Dr. Ramona Charikar BScH,ND

Naturopathic Vitality Acupuncture and Wellness Clinic

205-5403 Crowchild Trail NW

Calgary, AB

(403) 719-2594