Gastro / Gut Health Panel

We need to take good care of our gut health, because poor gut health can badly affect our immune power, physical health, mental health, and can contribute to several chronic health conditions.

If you notice symptoms of poor gut health then get a gut health test as soon as possible to detect any issues related to your gut. Here are the complete details regarding gut health and gut health tests.

What is gut health?

The biggest part of our digestive system is the gastrointestinal tract, which is also known as the digestive tract. This tract is a long tube consisting of a series of hollow organs that is extended from the mouth to the anus, which includes stomach, esophagus, large and small intestine.

As we eat foods or drinks liquids, our body then breaks down the foods or liquids into nutrients (such as vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, etc) and they proceed through the digestive tract, which our body uses as fuel for energy.

Microorganism commonly known as gut microbiome, lives in the large and small intestine which helps the body to use the nutrients. According to certain research, the human body has nearly 200 distinct species of viruses, bacteria and fungi living inside the digestive system.

These gut microbes or microorganisms are extremely necessary for good gut health. And as researches have shown that having different types of species can reduce your chances of developing inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and psoriatic arthritis. However, there are certain microorganisms which can be harmful for the gut.

How do gut microbiomes affect your health?

The main functions of the gut microbiomes is to metabolize nutrients, digest foods and lessen inflammation. The medical industry is still working to understand the good effects of these microorganisms.

However, numerous studies have provided data suggesting that some health conditions may be influenced by poor gut health, such as:

• Crohn’s disease
• Irritable bowel disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Celiac disease
• Endocrine disorders
• Chronic kidney disease
• Heart diseases
• Cancer
• Obesity
• Mental disorders

High levels of different types of gut microbiomes can reduce your chances of getting certain medical conditions.

What are the symptoms of poor gut health?

Different factors of our modern lifestyles affect the gut microbiomes, such as:

• Excessive stress levels
• Poor sleep cycles
• Diet full of junk foods
• Certain antibiotics

All of these factors affect the immune system, weight, and hormone levels. Here are a few common symptoms that you might experience if you have poor gut health:

• Stomach upset: Stomach disruptions including gas, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, and heartburn can indicate that your gut health is not in a good position.
• Weight gain and loss: If you gain weight or lose weight without altering your diet, then it may indicate that you have an unhealthy gut. Because an unhealthy gut can affect your body’s ability to metabolize foods, regulate sugar levels and store fat. Weight loss may happen due to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and weight gain may happen due to insulin resistance or inflammation.
• Food intolerance: Difficulty in digesting certain food is called food intolerance. Food allergy and food intolerance both are different conditions. As per some studies, lactose intolerance can indicate an unhealthy gut in some cases.
• Sleep disturbance: Certain studies have shown that good gut health is extremely important for our sleep cycle. Disbalance in gut microorganisms may cause short sleep duration, which can cause constant fatigue.
• Autoimmune conditions: Many researches have shown that gut health is linked to the immune system. Therefore, an unhealthy gut health may affect the functions of the immune system and cause systemic inflammation. If you are having these symptoms then it is essential to get a gut health panel.

What is a gut health panel?

Gut health panel is a set of 41 fundamental tests that is helpful for the screening of gut health. This test analyzes different levels of enzymes and hormones in our body that will help the doctors to understand if you have any abnormalities in the gut and liver. The gut health package also includes complete blood count or hemogram.

When should I go for this test?

You should go for this if you are having symptoms including:

• Stomach upset
• Gas
• Bloating
• Constant fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Sleep disturbance
• Food intolerance
• Skin irritation
• Weight loss or gain
• Autoimmune conditions

What are the benefits of getting a gut health package?

There are many benefits of this test package, such as:

• It will help you to get a clear knowledge about your gut and liver health.
• It will determine your potentiality of getting a gut or liver disease.
• It will help to detect the disease at its early stage, which reduces the chances of further complications.
• Late diagnosis, sometimes, may require expensive treatment and hospital supervising. Therefore, getting this test annually can help you save some money.
• As this package includes complete blood count also known as hemogram, which will help you understand about your complete health.
• Getting this test annually, can motivate you to take care of your gut health and lead a healthy life.

What sample is required for this test?

Similar to any other blood test, only a blood sample is required to perform this test. No other sample is required.

How is this test performed?

A healthcare specialist will collect a small sample of blood through a vein in your arm. He or she will use a thin needle to draw the blood sample. After collecting the sample, it will be sent to the diagnostic center for examination.

What preparations are required?

You cannot eat or drink anything except water before this test. As this test examines different enzymes in your body, some medications can alter the levels. Therefore, make sure to talk with your doctor if you take medicines for any existing health conditions.

When will I get the test reports?

You will get the soft copy of the test report within 24-48 business hours through email. Do consult with your doctor for understanding your test results.

You can always avoid these symptoms by improving your gut health through managing lifestyle and eating style.