See where your gut is off, then do something about it.
Gut Health Test
The GI Effects® Gut Health Test gives you a clinical-grade look at digestion, microbiome balance, and inflammation so you can optimize longevity, performance, and everyday comfort.
Trusted by Functional Medicine Clinicians for Decades CLIA-certified Lab FSA/HSA Eligible
Add to CartYour Gut Microbiome is the Starting Line for Long-term Health
See where you are today, your potential for future issues, and how you can make the changes that matter most.
Gut Health: Preferred
GI Effects®
GI Effects #2200$474
Not available in NY, NJ, RI, outside continental US
- Stool Collection
- Example Results
- Compare Test Options
Perfect for both optimization and addressing what might be causing chronic issues like bloating, weight-gain, and skin problems.
- Dysbiosis scores
- Functional scores
- Therapeutic options
- Digestion markers
- Inflammation markers
- 4 bacterial byproducts
- Pathogenic bacteria and yeast
- 24 key microbiome bacteria
- Parasites
Key Biomarkers: Calprotectin, Secretory IgA, Eosinophil Protein X (EPX), FIT Occult Blood, Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) like n-Butyrate, Beta-glucuronidase, Pancreatic Elastase-1, Akkermansia muciniphila, Methanobrevibacter smithii / Methane Score, Pathogens & Parasites plus yeast/KOH screen when present, Zonulin Family Peptide
Ratings & Reviews
214 Reviews
Best money I spent this year.
August 2025
Jasmine, 29
I lift and run a lot, but my recovery and sleep were all over the place. I did the gut health test after a check-in with my trainer and the markers linked to inflammation and issues with my metabolism. I changed my diet using the recommendations and it made a huge difference. I’m finally seeing the results I’ve been training for.
Highly recommended
November 2025
Anonymous
It blows my mind that I never got this test at my annual physical. I learned so much about what I could be doing better.
We'll be doing this check in every January!
January 2025
Olivia, 42
I ordered this gut test because my partner and I got serious about longevity, not because I was super sick. The results showed a few inflammatory markers and microbiome imbalances I’d never have known about that could be aging me faster than I should. I have changed my diet and my energy and focus are noticeably better.
What does gut testing reveal about you?
Your gut is more than digestion. It is a control center for metabolism, mood, immunity, and healthy aging. Testing turns guesswork into a plan by showing areas that need attention. With clear biomarkers and a suggestions for intervention, you can personalize food, supplements, and lifestyle changes that actually fit your biology.
Your gut microbiome helps decide how you respond to food and how efficiently you use energy.
Genova's testing checks your digestive capacity, so you know if you are breaking down protein and fat well enough to fuel metabolism. Results show short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, which support blood sugar balance and satiety, along with microbial patterns linked with cravings, carb tolerance, and sluggish metabolism.
What you can do with the results:
- Dial in fiber, resistant starch, and probiotic foods that raise beneficial SCFAs.
- Add targeted digestive enzymes or bile support if breakdown is weak.
- Adjust meal timing and macros based on your gut's data, not fads.
Best Test for You
Start with Gut Health: Preferred (GI Effects #2200). Choose Premier (GI Effects + Microbiomix) if you want species and strain detail to fine-tune probiotics and prebiotics.
Gut-brain signaling affects anxiety, focus, and resilience.
Testing looks for gut inflammation that can drive brain fog and irritability and assesses microbial balance and metabolites that influence neurotransmitter pathways. Reports flags infections or yeast overgrowth that can worsen mood and sleep quality.
What you can do with the results:
- Reduce gut-driven stress signals with anti-inflammatory nutrition and mucosal support.
- Rebuild microbial diversity with the right probiotics and prebiotics for you.
- Tackle pathogens directly when present, so your nervous system can settle.
Best Test for You
Gut Health: Preferred fits most needs. Choose Premier if mood and focus are persistent issues and you want the deepest microbiome map to personalize support.
70-80% of your immune system sits in your gut lining.
Testing measures secretory IgA, a front-line immune marker that shows how well your gut barrier is defending you. Reports identifies imbalances that can set the stage for frequent colds, sensitivities, or lingering fatigue while screening for parasites and pathogens that keep your immune system on high alert.
What you can do with the results:
- Support the gut barrier with targeted nutrients and lifestyle steps that raise sIgA.
- Use antimicrobial or antiparasitic strategies when needed.
- Personalize probiotic strains to train, not overstimulate, immunity.
Best Test for You
Gut Health: Preferred is a strong first step. Add Premier if you want strain-level guidance for probiotic selection across your household.
Chronic low-grade gut inflammation is linked with accelerated biological aging.
Genova's testing measures calprotectin and eosinophil protein X to separate everyday IBS-type symptoms from true inflammation. We'll also screens for occult blood and other red flags that deserve prompt attention while evaluating microbial by-products like beta-glucuronidase that can stress detox and hormones.
What you can do with the results:
- Calm inflammation with targeted nutrition, polyphenols, and lifestyle changes that match your markers.
- Restore a healthier microbial mix that produces protective metabolites.
- Act early if any red flags appear, instead of waiting for symptoms to escalate.
Best Test for You
Choose Gut Health: Preferred if symptoms are ongoing or you want a thorough screen. Select Premier when issues are complex or long-standing and you want both clinical biomarkers and the most detailed microbiome view.
How Genova's Tests Compare
The GI Effects is available in multiple tiers to get meet you where you are, and what you want to know:
Gut Health: Premier
GI Effects #2200 with Microbiomix
Best for longevity or complex cases, and for people who want both clinical answers and the most detailed microbiome map in one step.
- Includes all GI Effects biomarkers, culture with sensitivities, and parasitology
- Includes Microbiomix metagenomics for species and strain-level detail
Gut Health: Preferred
GI Effects #2200
Ideal starting point for most people. Trusted by clinicians for decades, results show areas to optimize for greater healthspan and also pinpoint the root causes of ongoing symptoms.
- Calprotectin, secretory IgA, eosinophil protein X
- Pancreatic elastase-1, fecal fat, proteins
- Short-chain fatty acids including n-butyrate, beta-glucuronidase
- PCR commensals, culture with sensitivities, parasites
Gut Health: Standard
GI Effects Fundamentals #2209
A streamlined panel for screening or follow-up for a cost-conscious first check.
- Covers the most decision-critical markers for digestion and inflammation
- Upgrade to #2200 or add Microbiomix if deeper investigation is needed
Genova is the only lab that pairs functional biomarkers with whole-genome intelligence to offer results that show you what's going on today alongside the genetic potential of the organisms living in your gut microbiome.
- This isn't just a list of bacteria. Genova evaluates digestion, absorption, inflammation, immune activity, and the microbiome together for a more complete picture.
- Results are organized to highlight patterns and potential next steps, not just lists of organisms or numbers.
- With Gut Health: Premier, you'll add shotgun metagenomic sequencing for a DNA-based microbiome analysis to see which organisms and byproducts may have an influence on metabolism, inflammation, and more.
- Testing is performed in our CLIA-certified laboratory with rigorous quality controls and decades of experience in stool analysis.
Other microbiome testing companies only analyze microbial DNA, which provides information about the presence of microorganisms in the gut, but not their activity or viability. Genova's gut health testing is far more comprehensive and offers the full clinical view of factors that are actually influencing your health.
This testing is a good fit if you’re serious about understanding how your gut is affecting your long-term health, performance, or day-to-day comfort ‐ whether you have chronic GI symptoms or just want a clear baseline to work from.
What Your Gut Baseline Will Tell You
Testing helps guide the simple changes that can have far-reaching effects on your overall health and longevity.
Digestion & Absorption
Are you actually breaking down and absorbing the nutrients you eat, or wasting a "perfect" diet?
Inflammation & Gut Lining
Are there signs your immune system is on high alert or your gut barrier needs support (leaky gut patterns)?
Microbiome Balance
Are beneficial and potentially problematic bacteria in balance, or could they be affecting mood, skin, hormones, and weight?
Harmful Organisms & Bacteria
Are there stealth pathogens or yeast overgrowth that might sabotage your progress?
Long-term Risk Patterns
Do your markers suggest patterns that deserve early attention to protect future metabolic, immune, and brain health?
Terms to Know
At Genova, we believe that becoming the expert on your own health starts with understanding the tools and insights available to you. This glossary is here to guide you through the key terms and concepts related to your gut health test, empowering you to better understand your results and make decisions about your wellness journey.
For more about these terms and the science behind the test, explore our full Stool Testing Support Guide and work with a doctor to develop a health plan.
Pancreatic Elastase 1 (PE-1)
An enzyme produced by the pancreas; its levels in stool indicate pancreatic function and digestive efficiency.
Fecal Fat
Measures the amount of fat in stool to assess fat digestion and absorption efficiency.
Calprotectin
A protein released during inflammation; elevated levels in stool suggest inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
Commensal Bacteria
Beneficial bacteria naturally residing in the gut; their balance is essential for digestive health.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)
Byproducts of fiber fermentation by gut bacteria; important for colon health and overall metabolism.
Beta-Glucuronidase
An enzyme produced by gut bacteria; elevated levels may influence hormone metabolism and detoxification processes.
Ova and Parasites (O&P)
Microscopic examination of stool to detect eggs (ova) and parasites, identifying potential infections.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
A molecular technique used to detect the genetic material of specific pathogens, including bacteria and parasites, in the stool.
Dysbiosis
An imbalance in the gut microbiome, which can be associated with various health issues.
Methane Dysbiosis Score
A measure indicating the presence of methane-producing bacteria in the gut, which can be associated with constipation.
