StoolOMX (Add-on to GI-MAP only)

Description

StoolOMX™ combines two essential quantitative analyses in one convenient panel, a bile acid test and a short chain fatty acid test. StoolOMX is an add-on profile to the GI-MAP® and evaluates 25 bile acids in total concentrations, percents, and ratios, as well as nine short chain fatty acids. Results from StoolOMX offer practitioners a more precise look into the underlying causes of IBS, IBD, bile acid diarrhea, altered motility, the state of the microbiome, and more.

Bile acids and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play essential roles in digestion, motility, microbiome balance, and metabolic health. Testing these gut metabolites provides additional understanding of gut functionality, revealing imbalances that may contribute to various health concerns.

Recent studies show that up to 30% of patients with IBS-D are affected by bile acid diarrhea,1 underscoring the importance of evaluating bile acids in clinical practice. Further, bile acid malabsorption is associated with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. StoolOMX is a comprehensive bile acid test that helps elucidate bile acid malabsorption so practitioners can more precisely identify the root causes of these prevalent gut disorders.

Bile acids are produced by the liver from cholesterol and play a critical role in fat digestion. The liver synthesizes primary bile acids and conjugates them to enhance solubility. These bile acids are stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine during meals to emulsify and absorb dietary fats.

Under normal conditions, most primary bile acids are reabsorbed, with minimal amounts excreted in stool. Primary bile acids are metabolized by gut bacteria to become secondary bile acids. In abnormal cases of excess production, bile acid malabsorption (BAM), or gut dysfunction, excess bile acids enter the colon, potentially causing inflammation and diarrhea. StoolOMX sets a new standard in bile acid testing by leveraging advanced technology to measure more bile acids than anyone else in the industry, delivering unmatched precision in totals, percentages, and ratios for superior clinical insights.

The short chain fatty acids test section of StoolOMX analyzes nine short chain fatty acids, providing deeper insight into gut function and microbiome health. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced by gut bacteria during the fermentation of dietary substrates in the colon. These metabolites can be produced by either saccharolytic or proteolytic fermentation. The balance and ratios of these SCFAs offer essential insights into patients’ dietary patterns and digestive status. The primary SCFAs — acetate, butyrate, and propionate — play crucial roles in maintaining gut health, immunity, and overall metabolic function.

Balanced SCFA production reflects optimal fiber fermentation, a balanced microbiome, and a healthy gut barrier. High branched chain fatty acids (BCFAs) indicate excess proteolytic/putrefactive fermentation, which can promote inflammation. StoolOMX reports on each short chain fatty acid and provides a SCFA/BCFA ratio, which offers insight into diet, root causes of symptoms of constipation and diarrhea, and more.

Fasting Required: No
Lab: Diagnostic Solutions
Specimen: Stool
Results: Average processing time 7-10 business days
Note: Result turnaround times are an estimate and are not guaranteed. Our reference lab may need additional time due to weather, holidays, confirmation/repeat testing, or equipment maintenance.

Special Instructions: Ship to lab Monday-Friday only. Specimen MUST be received by the lab within 6 days of collection. If you cannot ship the specimen on the day of collection, please refrigerate the sample. Avoid taking aspirin for 2 days prior to collection. DO NOT discontinue any medications unless directed by your physician.