Who Should Take the GI-MAP Functional Stool Test?

The GI-MAP (Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus) is a comprehensive functional stool test we recommend for women seeking deep insights into their gut health. This test goes far beyond conventional stool analyses, offering a complete picture of your microbiome, digestive function, and immune health. If you’re curious about how a stool test can improve your health, this post is for you. We’ll explore who should consider the GI-MAP test and what it reveals about your overall well-being.

Who Should Take the GI-MAP Test?

In my practice, I commonly order this test for women with these issues:

Irregular Bowel Movements

Your stool is a window into your gut’s health. Ideally, you should have at least two bowel movements per day, with stools that are smooth and snake-like in shape—this is Type 4 on the Bristol Stool Chart. If your stool is hard, soft, or sticky, the GI-MAP can help uncover the root cause.

Immune Dysfunction

Gut health is a cornerstone in managing autoimmune diseases. A GI-MAP test can identify harmful microbes that may trigger an autoimmune response. A balanced microbiome—rich in beneficial bacteria and free of harmful microbes—is key for regulating immune responses and managing autoimmune conditions.

Other types of immune dysfunction that point to an imbalance in the gut microbiome include histamine intolerance, multiple food sensitivities, allergies, skin conditions, and frequent or chronic infections.

Systemic Inflammation

Unexplained systemic inflammation—in the brain or body—often originates in the gut. An overgrowth of harmful microbes can cause a condition called lipopolysaccharide endotoxemia. This is when bacterial toxins leak into the bloodstream, causing widespread inflammation. Even if you don’t have digestive symptoms, consider this test if you experience:

• Brain fog, anxiety, or cognitive decline
• Cardiovascular issues like high cholesterol
• Joint pain, arthritis, or muscle discomfort
• Skin problems such as acne or eczema
• Allergies, swelling, or histamine reactions

Weight Gain

Your gut microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, blood sugar, and appetite signals. Specific beneficial bacteria can support a healthy, lean metabolism and naturally boost GLP-1 peptides, which are important for satiety and metabolic balance. Conversely, an imbalance of harmful bacteria can lead to elevated insulin levels and resistance to weight loss. If you’re experiencing unexplained weight gain, a GI-MAP test can reveal whether your gut microbiome may be contributing to the issue or creating barriers to effective weight management.

Hormone Imbalances

Gut health is essential for hormone metabolism, especially when it comes to estrogen. Within the gut microbiome, a specific group of bacteria known as the “estrobolome” is responsible for breaking down and metabolizing estrogen. If you’re experiencing symptoms of estrogen imbalance, such as fibroids, endometriosis, breast tenderness, or painful periods, the GI-MAP test can provide valuable insights into your estrogen metabolism.

Gut Issues and Diseases

For women with IBS, we typically find imbalances on their GI-MAP test results that explain their symptoms. With IBS, we also investigate food sensitivities and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which require additional tests. The majority of women with IBS have these issues as well.

We also order the GI-MAP with vague undiagnosed symptoms like bloating, reflux, indigestion, and gas. Lastly, we run this test regularly for inflammatory or auto-immune bowel diseases, such as colitis and celiac. For these populations, we want to see clean test results once a year!

What Does the GI-MAP Test?

There are four main components to this test:

1. Microbial Analysis

Using advanced PCR technology, the GI-MAP analyzes both harmful and beneficial microbes. Unlike conventional stool tests, it identifies the exact strains present, giving you a clearer picture of your microbiome’s overall health. These microbes include bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, amoebae, and worms. A practitioner trained to interpret these results can create a treatment plan to improve the beneficial microbes and reduce the harmful or opportunistic ones.

2. Digestive Secretions

This test measures pancreatic elastase, an enzyme the pancreas produces that is not broken down in the digestive tract. The levels found in stool need to be at a specific range, and if low, they signify pancreatic insufficiency. Low levels can result in indigestion, bloating, diarrhea, or reflux. The GI-MAP also measures undigested fat in the stool, which sheds light on potential gallbladder dysfunction or lipase deficiency.

3. Gut Immune Activity

The GI-MAP tracks several immune markers, including:

• Calprotectin: Detects inflammation in the gut, commonly seen in inflammatory bowel disease.
• Eosinophil Activation Protein: Linked to inflammation and neurotoxicity.
• Secretory IgA: Indicates whether your gut immune response is active or suppressed.
• Anti-gliadin IgA: Reveals gluten sensitivity or reactions to gluten-like foods.
• Zonulin: Elevated levels suggest “leaky gut” (increased gut permeability). Zonulin is an add-on to the test.

4. Clues About Weight, Metabolism, and Hormones

The GI-MAP tests microbes that influence your metabolism and appetite. It also tests beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme that interferes with estrogen elimination. Results can give clues about your ability to detoxify estrogen and other toxins, as well as manage weight.

Take the Next Step Toward Better Gut Health

If you’re experiencing digestive discomfort, autoimmune issues, chronic inflammation, or hormonal imbalances, the GI-MAP test can offer valuable insights to help guide your treatment. Many patients order the test before their first appointment, allowing us to begin your personalized care plan immediately.

Do you have any thoughts, questions, or insights to share? I’d love to hear them in the comments below.