Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) Level 4+

This snapshot brings together your key results, context, and next steps to give a clear picture of your health.

These markers give a broad picture of how your digestive system is functioning day to day - covering the appearance and consistency of your stool, its acidity, fat content, and whether any blood is present. Together they help flag issues like poor fat absorption, inflammation, or bleeding that may warrant a closer look.

Gut functional markers assess how well the gut is performing its key roles in digestion, absorption, and immune defence. They measure important indicators such as enzyme activity, inflammation levels, gut barrier function, and detoxification capacity. Together, these markers provide a clearer picture of overall digestive system health.

Short-chain fatty acids are what your gut bacteria make when they ferment dietary fibre. Butyrate is the one to watch — it's the primary fuel source for the cells lining your colon, and low levels are a common finding when the community is depleted. GutIQ reports all four: butyrate, acetate, propionate and valerate. Most panels report three or none.

Some gut problems can be a consequence of an undetected gut infection. A significant number of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) cases could actually be due to undiagnosed gut parasites such as Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis.

Intestinal worms can cause a range of digestive and immune issues, particularly if left undetected. Identifying and addressing worm infections helps restore proper nutrient absorption and gut balance. Screening for worms is an important step in protecting overall digestive health.

Significant numbers of bacteria are normally present in the healthy gut. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in particular, are essential for gut health because they help to inhibit gut pathogens and carcinogens, control pH, reduce cholesterol and synthesise vitamins.

These bacteria are pathogenic and are those that have the potential to cause disease in the gut.

Our gut bacteria can be divided into ‘bad’ and ‘good’. The good ones for the most part benefit us, whereas the bad 'pathogenic' ones can cause disease. Pathogens are usually present in small quantities in the microbiome, however in excessive amounts they can have adverse effects on the body. The beneficial bacteria of the microbiome have a protective function against colonisation by pathogenic bacteria.

This test looks for evidence of candida or other yeast overgrowth. Whilst yeasts are a normal inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract, they may become an opportunistic pathogen after disruption of the mucosal barrier, imbalance of the normal intestinal flora or impaired immunity. This can be caused by things like antibiotics, antacids and stress.