Gut Microbiome Test

Your gut microbiome is the community of trillions of microbes, mostly bacteria, that live in your digestive tract. A gut microbiome test analyses the DNA of those microbes in a stool sample to work out which species are present and in what amounts. From that, it can show how diverse your microbiome is, whether beneficial bacteria are low, whether potentially harmful microbes are above normal levels, and which functions your gut bacteria are likely to perform, such as producing butyrate or breaking down oxalate.

It is most useful if you have ongoing digestive symptoms such as bloating, discomfort or changes in bowel habit and want to understand what is happening in your gut, or if you want a detailed baseline before changing your diet, taking probiotics or after a course of antibiotics. The report shows which beneficial microbes are low and which are widely available as probiotic supplements, and gives diet and lifestyle recommendations based on your results. It is not a diagnostic test, so it does not replace seeing a GP about persistent or worrying symptoms.

Accuracy depends on the laboratory and the method. Our test uses DNA sequencing in a UKAS-accredited laboratory working to ISO 17025, and its performance is checked against internationally recognised reference materials, including Zymo, ATCC and WHO standards. The health risk scores come from a machine-learning model trained on thousands of microbiome samples, which is 94 to 95 percent accurate at classifying the microbiomes of people with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and obesity. Only fully validated results that meet quality control and reproducibility standards are released.

No, the NHS does not offer gut microbiome testing for general gut health. NHS stool tests look for specific things, for example a FIT test for hidden blood, calprotectin for bowel inflammation or a stool culture for infection. A private gut microbiome test looks at the whole community of microbes in your gut instead, and you can order it without a GP referral.

Common signs include bloating, excess wind, abdominal discomfort, constipation or diarrhoea, and changes in bowel habit. Low diversity in the gut microbiome has also been linked in research to inflammation, weight gain and a weaker immune response. Some symptoms need a GP rather than a home test: blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, a persistent change in bowel habit lasting more than three weeks, or severe or persistent abdominal pain.

No test can diagnose IBS on its own; it is diagnosed by a doctor after other conditions are ruled out. This test is designed for people with IBS-type symptoms who want to understand their gut microbiome. It shows patterns such as low diversity, low levels of beneficial bacteria or high gas-producing activity that may be linked to digestive symptoms, along with personalised diet and lifestyle recommendations.

It does not test for parasites, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), yeasts or fungi such as candida, or H. pylori. If you want to check for H. pylori, see our H. pylori blood test. If you are worried about bowel cancer, our bowel cancer screening test checks for hidden blood in your stool.

Both use a stool sample collected at home, but they look for different things. A bowel cancer screening test (FIT) measures hidden blood, an early warning sign of bowel cancer or polyps. A gut microbiome test sequences the DNA of your gut microbes to show the balance, diversity and function of your microbiome. It is not a cancer screening test.

Attach the flushable collection device to your toilet seat, pass a stool onto it without it touching water or urine, and use the spoon in the lid of the collection tube to scoop a small amount into the tube. Seal the tube, place it in the protective pack and post it back. You can collect at any time of day, and the sample is stable at room temperature, so there is no need to refrigerate it. Do not collect a sample if you have diarrhoea, are on your period, or have active bleeding from haemorrhoids or constipation.

Antibiotics change your gut microbiome, so if you are taking them or have recently finished a course, contact our team before collecting your sample and we will advise you on the best time to test. If you have questions about probiotics, supplements or other medication, our team can help.

DNA sequencing is a more detailed laboratory process than most home tests. Kits are dispatched within one working day of your order by Royal Mail first class, and results are emailed to you as a PDF report around 15 working days after your sample reaches the laboratory.

Yes, the two tests work well together. The Premium Food Intolerance Test measures IgG antibody reactions to 200 foods and drinks, while the gut microbiome test shows the balance, diversity and function of your gut bacteria. Together they give a broader picture of your digestive health to guide diet and lifestyle changes.

Your report flags any result outside the normal range and explains what it means. The health risk scores show how similar your microbiome is to people with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or obesity; they are not a diagnosis. If any result is abnormal, or you have symptoms that concern you, take your report to your GP.