Gastrointestinal complaints are among the most common reasons that patients seek medical care. Symptoms associated with GI disorders include persistent diarrhea, constipation, bloating, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and malabsorption. The following stool tests are simple, at-home tests that can help assess digestive and absorptive functions, the presence of opportunistic pathogens and to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic remediation of GI disorders. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to prescriptive and natural agents is also performed for appropriate bacterial and fungal species at no additional charge.
If you choose to call your insurance company before you run one of these tests to inquire about potential reimbursement or coverage use the appropriate ICD-10 Codes here and the CPT codes listed for each test below.
- K90.9 (intestinal malabsorption)
- A04.9 (bacterial intestinal infection)
- B37.82 (Candida enteritis)
- R14.0 (bloating)
- R10.9 (abdominal pain)
- R19.7 (diarrhea)
- K59.0 (constipation)
- GI Effects is a comprehensive assessment of complete gut health, assessing the root cause of most GI complaints.
- Genova uses a combination of PCR, culture, and microscopic methods to ensure any and all relevant organisms are identified.
- Genova recovers live organisms (yeast and bacteria) for susceptibility testing and improved treatment options.
- Genova measures metabolomics and can assess the interaction between the microbiome and its host.
- Genova is the market authority on stool inflammatory markers, testing calprotectin, EPX and sIgA.
- Genova has amassed a database of hundreds of thousands of complete stool profiles. Our data driven and evidence-based analysis ensures the highest standard of analytical validity and clinical utility.
The GI Effects Comprehensive Stool Profile Biomarkers
- Digestion/Absorption:
- Pancreatic Elastase-1 is a marker of exocrine pancreatic function.
- Products of Protein Breakdown are markers of undigested protein reaching the colon.
- Fecal Fat is a marker of fat breakdown and absorption.
- Inflammation/Immunology:
- Calprotectin is a marker of neutrophil-driven inflammation. Produced in abundance at sites of inflammation, this biomarker has been proven clinically useful in differentiating between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
- Eosinophil Protein X is a marker of eosinophil-driven inflammation and allergic response.
- Fecal Secretory IgA is a marker of gut secretory immunity and barrier function.
- Fecal Occult Blood detects hidden blood
- Gut Microbiome:
- Metabolic indicators, including short-chain fatty acids and beta-glucuronidase, demonstrate specific and vital metabolic functions performed by the microbiota.
- Commensal Bacteria demonstrate the composition and relative abundance of normal gut organisms.
- Bacterial and mycology cultures demonstrate the presence of specific beneficial and pathological organisms.
- Bacterial and mycology sensitivities are provided for pathogenic or potentially pathogenic organisms that have been cultured. The report includes effective prescriptive and natural agents.
- Parasitology includes comprehensive testing for all parasites on every parasitology exam ordered.
- GI Effects provides microscopic fecal specimen examination for ova and parasites (O&P), the gold standard of diagnosis for many parasites.
- 6 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targets detect common protozoan parasites including Blastocystis spp. with reflex subtyping 1-9, Cryptosporidium parvum/hominis, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia.
- Selection of a one-day or three-day sample collection is based on the clinician's clinical index of suspicion for parasitic infection. If there is no/low suspicion, a one-day sample will likely be adequate. For high suspicion, a three-day sample collection is optimal.
The out-of-pocket cost for this test is $429.
If you want Genova Diagnostics to bill your insurance submit a copy of your insurance card along with a co-pay of $179.
If your insurance does not cover the test you will be billed for an additional $236.
Genova Diagnostics offers monthly payments for any test over $100.
If you want Genova Diagnostics to bill your insurance submit a copy of your insurance card along with a co-pay of $179.
If your insurance does not cover the test you will be billed for an additional $236.
Genova Diagnostics offers monthly payments for any test over $100.
The Comprehensive Stool Analysis is an invaluable non-invasive diagnostic assessment that permits practitioners to objectively evaluate the status of beneficial and imbalanced commensal bacteria including Clostridium species, pathogenic bacteria and yeast/fungus. Precise identification of pathogenic species and susceptibility testing greatly facilitates selection of the most appropriate pharmaceutical or natural treatment agents.
Important information regarding the efficiency of digestion and absorption can be gleaned from the measurement of the fecal levels of elastase (pancreatic exocrine sufficiency), fat, muscle and vegetable fibers, and carbohydrates.
Inflammation can significantly increase intestinal permeability and compromise assimilation of nutrients. The extent of inflammation, whether caused by pathogens or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can be assessed and monitored by examination of the levels of biomarkers such as lysozyme, lactoferrin, white blood cells and mucus via this stool test.
Important information regarding the efficiency of digestion and absorption can be gleaned from the measurement of the fecal levels of elastase (pancreatic exocrine sufficiency), fat, muscle and vegetable fibers, and carbohydrates.
Inflammation can significantly increase intestinal permeability and compromise assimilation of nutrients. The extent of inflammation, whether caused by pathogens or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can be assessed and monitored by examination of the levels of biomarkers such as lysozyme, lactoferrin, white blood cells and mucus via this stool test.
The out-of-pocket cost for this test is $215.
Optional parasitology is an additional $60 for 1 sample, $70 for 2 samples and $80 for 3 samples
Optional parasitology is an additional $60 for 1 sample, $70 for 2 samples and $80 for 3 samples
The GI-MAP™ (GI-Microbial Assay Plus) test is the first comprehensive stool analysis to include an FDA-approved DNA/PCR assay for GI pathogens performed on stool*. The pathogen targets include bacteria, parasites and another first for the market, viruses! Using the same molecular technology, we have developed assays for microbes that are useful for integrative and function medicine practitioners. And unlike previous PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assays, we have fully validated each target organism in our panel, so that you can have confidence in the results. GI-MAP™ tests for GI pathogens, opportunistic organisms, normal flora, and markers of GI health including:
DNA/PCR techniques also allow for the measurement of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors that contribute to pathogenicity. Both are used to help determine clinical significance and the most effective treatments.
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Parasites
- Fungi
- Inflammation
- Immune function
- Pancreatic function
- Occult blood
DNA/PCR techniques also allow for the measurement of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors that contribute to pathogenicity. Both are used to help determine clinical significance and the most effective treatments.
The out-of-pocket cost for this test is $415.
The Comprehensive Stool Analysis detects the presence of pathogenic microorganisms such as yeast, parasites, and bacteria that contribute to chronic illness and neurological dysfunction. It provides helpful information about prescription and natural products effective against specific strains detected in the sample. The test also evaluates beneficial bacteria levels, intestinal immune function, overall intestinal health, and inflammation markers.
The out-of-pocket cost is $345.
This test is the best choice for those who have Tricare insurance, as most Tricare plans cover labs done through Great Plains Laboratory. Please refer to their Tricare information sheet for more detail. If you have any questions we recommend you contact Tricare to confirm your plan's coverage.
This test is the best choice for those who have Tricare insurance, as most Tricare plans cover labs done through Great Plains Laboratory. Please refer to their Tricare information sheet for more detail. If you have any questions we recommend you contact Tricare to confirm your plan's coverage.