Gut Bacteria & Parasite Test
Get to the Root Cause of GI Symptoms & Inflammation
- Test Type: Stool
- 30-Minute Health Coaching Call Included
Are you under high stress, experience digestive issues or unexplained body pain, brain fog, low energy or headaches? If you're doing your best to live a healthy lifestyle but continue to feel unwell, an imbalanced gut microbiome could be to blame. While trillions of microorganisms are found in our gut, it's possible for them to fall out of their homeostatic limits. What's more, we can acquire microorganisms that shouldn't be present in our body. This simple lab takes a comprehensive look at key gut bacteria and parasite markers to identify any possible underlying imbalances.
- Please be sure to collect and return your sample within 14 days of receipt of your lab test. All lab tests expire within 6 months of purchase
What’s Measured
- Stool Cultures: Looks closely at microbial balance or imbalance Expected/beneficial bacterial flora: make up a significant portion of the total microflora in a healthy & balanced GI tract. It is important to identify any overgrowth or undergrowth of good or bad bacterial flora.
- Beneficial bacteria are expected as they have many health-protecting effects in the gut including manufacturing vitamins, fermenting fibers, digesting proteins and carbohydrates, and propagating anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory factors. Dysbiotic bacterial flora: are known pathogenic bacteria that have the potential to cause disease in the GI tract.
- They can be present due to a number of factors, including consumption of contaminated water or food; exposure to chemicals that are toxic to beneficial bacteria; the use of antibiotics, oral contraceptives, or other medications; and poor fiber intake and high levels of stress.
- Normal and dysbiotic yeast: while normally present in small quantities, high levels of yeast are considered abnormal and can contribute to bloating or skin issues. High levels of yeast colonization are associated with several inflammatory diseases of the GI tract. Microscopy: Identifying potential intestinal parasites
- Intestinal parasites are abnormal inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract that have the potential to cause damage to their host. If left untreated, chronic parasitic infections can cause damage to the intestinal lining and can be an unsuspected cause of illness and fatigue.
- Chronic parasitic infections can also be associated with increased intestinal permeability, irritable bowel syndrome, irregular bowel movements, malabsorption, gastritis or indigestion, skin disorders, joint pain, allergic reactions, and decreased immune function.
- Protozoa (tiny cell-like parasites), nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flukes). Other Markers: Looking closely at potential inflammation markers
- Yeast is hard to culture on a stool sample, so the lab is looking at the yeast culture under a microscope—high levels of yeast colonization are associated with several inflammatory diseases of the GI tract.
- Red blood cells (RBC) in the stool may be associated with a parasitic or bacterial infection, or an inflammatory bowel condition such as ulcerative colitis. Colorectal cancer, anal fistulas, and hemorrhoids should also be ruled out.
- 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. Muscle fibers in the stool are an indicator of incomplete digestion. Bloating, flatulence, and feelings of "fullness" may be associated with an increase in muscle fibers.
- Vegetable fibers in the stool may be indicative of inadequate chewing or eating "on the run." Charcot-Leyden crystals: structures found in white blood cells that provide indirect evidence of parasitic infestation.
- Pollen: Specific pollen may lead to gastrointestinal upset by local allergic inflammation in the small intestine. Immunoassay/Stool Markers: Pathogenic Parasites and Bacteria Cryptosporidium (C. parvum and C. hominus): Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes a diarrheal illness.
- Infection is spread by contaminated drinking water and occasionally food sources, which may cause significant outbreaks of diarrhea. Giardia duodenalis: Giardia lives in the intestines of infected humans or animals. Contamination with Giardia from soil, food, water, or surfaces can occur from contact with feces from infected sources.
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): A type of bacteria that infects your stomach. It can damage the tissue in your stomach and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum). This can cause redness and soreness (inflammation). In some cases it can also cause painful sores (peptic ulcers) in your upper digestive tract.
- In-Depth Stool Analysis: Detecting Intestinal Inflammation and Poor Nutrient Absorption Digestion/absorption markers, inflammation markers, short-chain fatty acid markers, and occult blood (microscopic blood in the stool).
Who Is It For
- Adults who want a comprehensive look at the bacteria, yeast and parasites in their gut and at how well they digest and absorb what they eat.
- Anyone who has completed a gut protocol and wants to see what has changed.
- People focused on digestion, energy, mental clarity and stress wellness as part of a functional medicine plan.
- Clients working with an EquiLife health coach or Integrative Health Practitioner who want a baseline and a point to retest from.
- Customers in the United States, except New York and Washington. The stool test ships to US addresses only.
How To Use
- Purchase & Register: After you check out with your at-home lab, it will arrive promptly at your door. Follow the easy instructions included for registering your test before you send in your sample(s).
- Collect & Return: Each at-home lab comes with detailed instructions for collecting your test sample(s) and returning them to one of our CLIA-certified lab testing facilities.
- Results & Review: Once your samples have been processed, you will receive an invitation through EquiLife's health portal to schedule your one-on-one health coaching call to review your results in depth.
What’s In The Box
- Gut Bacteria & Parasite Test collection kit with step-by-step instructions
- Stool collection kit with sample vials
- Registration instructions (QR code) for the EquiLife health portal
- Return packaging for the CLIA-certified laboratory
- A 30-minute one-on-one health coaching call, scheduled after your results arrive
What To Expect
- How will I receive my results and my coaching call to review those results? Once you receive your at-home lab test, please follow the instructions provided to register your test. Once your sample(s) are sent to one of our CLIA-certified labs, it will take approximately 3 weeks for your results to be returned, during which time you will receive information on how to schedule your one-on-one health coaching call.
- Do at-home lab tests expire? All at-home lab tests expire 6 months from their purchase date. To ensure you will receive your results, please be sure to send all samples for completed lab tests prior to the 6-month expiration date. Unfortunately, there can be no returns or replacement lab tests sent after the 6-month time frame. Please remember to register your labs prior to sending your sample to the laboratory.
- What if I have additional questions? We have compiled thorough FAQs for our at-home lab tests, which you can browse here: https://faq.equi.life/en-US/articles/lab-kit-faq-14490. For additional questions, you can contact us at support@equi.life.
Additional Suggested Labs
The EquiLife Advantage
Why people take this test:
Insight Into Gut Microbiome Balance
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Energy and Mental Clarity
- Headaches
- Diarrhea, Bloating & Gas
- Stress
- Blood or Mucus in Stools
Benefits
What Does This Test Measure
- Expected/Beneficial Bacteria
- Commensal (Imbalanced) Flora
- Dysbiotic Flora
- Yeast Culture
- Natural Antibacterials (susceptibility)
- Prescriptive Agents (susceptibility)
- Viruses
- Pathogenic Bacteria
- Parasites
- Protozoa
- Nematodes - Roundworms
- Cestodes - Tapeworms
- Trematodes - Flukes
- Other Markers
- Digestion / Absorption
- Inflammation
- Immunology
- Short Chain Fatty Acids
- Intestinal Health Markers
- Macroscopic Appearance
Benefits
At-Home Lab Benefits
Easy as 1, 2, 3
How Does It Work?
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Register, Collect Your Sample & Return all from the comfort of your home
Each at-home lab comes with detailed instructions for registering your test, collecting your test sample(s) and returning them to one of our CLIA certified lab testing facilities.
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Comprehensive In-depth Results Delivered to you Digitally
EquiLife labs are designed to provide detailed and thorough information so that you can understand your health at the deepest level, allowing you to finally get to the root cause of your biggest health concerns.
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One-on-one call with a certified Health Coach who will review your results with you in-depth
To ensure you feel confident about your lab findings, EquiLife provides a complimentary, one-on-one call with a certified Health Coach who will review your results with you in-depth and answer questions. Health Coaches will provide recommendations to help you achieve your goals.
Your health is personal
Support When You Need It
Our EquiLife® Health Coaching Team is Dedicated to Helping You. We are here to help you discover the real reason why you haven’t been able to get well, improve digestion, lose weight, reverse the aging process, rebalance your hormones, or any other health issue.
- Test at homeOrder a functional lab panel, collect your sample, and mail it back in the prepaid kit.
- Understand resultsGet practitioner-reviewed results that show what your body actually needs.
- Follow a protocolA targeted plan of practitioner-formulated supplements built around your results.
- Maintain resultsStay on track with coaching and Subscribe & Save so your foundation never lapses.
Beyond the test
Every EquiLife Lab Includes:
In-Depth Insight Into Your Health
EquiLife labs are designed to provide detailed and thorough information so that you can understand your health at the deepest level, allowing you to finally get to the root cause of your biggest health concerns.
A 30-Minute 1:1 Session With One Of Our World-Class Health Coaches
To ensure you feel confident about your lab findings, EquiLife provides a complimentary, one-on-one call with a certified Health Coach who will review your results with you in-depth and answer any questions you have.
An Actionable Personalized Plan, Designed Just For You
Testing takes the guesswork out of your health and empowers you to make informed choices about your health. After reviewing your results, Health Coaches will provide recommendations to help you achieve your goals.
By The Numbers
High Standards Meet Proven Results
Scientific Citations
supporting the ingredients and formulations used across EquiLife nutritional supplements.
Lab Tests
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Fulfilled globally across EquiLife labs, protocols, and nutritional supplements.
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behind the health mission, data, protocols & products that shape EquiLife & our customer results.
Board Certified Doctor of Naturopathy
Created By Dr. Stephen Cabral
Getting Better Together.
“EquiLife goes beyond lab testing, protocols, and formulas. It's my life's work, built on combining ancient wisdom with modern science. Every formula is one I would use, and do use, with my own family.”
Dr. Stephen Cabral EquiLife Founder
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If You Have Questions, We Have Answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Gut Bacteria & Parasite Test measure?
It measures 96 markers from a stool sample: expected and beneficial bacteria, commensal and dysbiotic flora, yeast, viruses, pathogenic bacteria and parasites (protozoa, roundworms, tapeworms and flukes), plus markers of digestion and absorption, inflammation, immunology, short-chain fatty acids, intestinal health and macroscopic appearance.
How do I collect my sample?
With a small stool sample collected at home using the collection kit. Follow the included instructions, then return your sample to our CLIA-certified laboratory in the packaging provided.
How long do results take?
Approximately three weeks after the laboratory receives your sample. Your results are delivered through EquiLife's health portal with an invitation to schedule your 30-minute one-on-one health coaching call.
Is this a diagnostic test?
No. EquiLife labs are functional wellness tests processed at CLIA-certified laboratories. They give you and your health coach information about your current status and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please share your results with your healthcare provider for any medical questions.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
The Gut Bacteria & Parasite Test is HSA and FSA eligible. Eligibility is determined by your plan administrator, so please check your plan's requirements.
Where can this test be shipped?
Within the United States, except New York and Washington. Because this kit includes a stool test, it ships to US addresses only.
