Each year, up to 70 million people are affected by a digestive disorder in the U.S. With the increasing prevalence, health options must be available for patients seeking to address these issues. Digestive issues like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to other health issues and negatively impact your patient's overall quality of life. 

The GI360 test by Doctors Data is an excellent option for patients who are seeking answers to their digestive and health complaints. This lab can provide early detection of gastrointestinal (GI) issues, enabling customized prevention and maintenance protocols to manage these conditions for patients effectively.

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What is the GI360 Test?

The GI360 Profile is an advanced stool analysis tool that uses modern molecular technology, along with culture-based methods, sensitive biochemical tests, and microscopy, to detect and evaluate pathogens, viruses, parasites, and bacteria that could be causing GI symptoms and diseases in your patients. These GI issues can be acute or chronic. 

This test is excellent for assessing overall gut health as it examines the DNA of gut microbiota, identifying and characterizing over 45 specific factors that previous scientific research has linked to dysbiosis and various chronic illnesses. It utilizes a Dysbiosis Index (DI) to calculate the overall abundance and composition of bacteria in the patient's sample compared to a standard reference population. 

Furthermore, the GI360 can detect pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and parasites in real time through multiplex PCR technology. Viruses, which are a common cause of acute diarrhea, are often underdiagnosed but can now be effectively identified. Additionally, the GI360 test will analyze markers of digestion, absorption, and inflammation to provide a thorough health assessment of the GI system.

Are There Certain Patients Who Would Benefit From The GI360 Test?

A disruption to the gut microbiome can result in a range of health issues, including gastrointestinal disorders like inflammable bowel syndrome, IBD, and systemic conditions like celiac disease, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, malnutrition, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, immune system imbalances, and various inflammatory disorders. The GI 360 would be beneficial to order for patients dealing with any of these conditions. 

This test could prove valuable in pinpointing the underlying cause of symptoms. This test can also provide insights into symptoms and conditions such as joint pain, mucosal barrier dysfunction, autoimmune diseases, food sensitivities, abdominal pain, acute or chronic diarrhea.

What Information Does the GI360 Test Tell Us?

The GI360 Test uses evidence-based and clinically relevant technology such as multiplex PCR and microscopy to evaluate the health of the microbiome. It will measure the composition of various pathogens, viruses, parasites, and bacteria. Imbalances of these microbes can inform the patient of any underlying factors that are contributing to their GI symptoms or diseases. 

As previously mentioned, this test also provides a DI to analyze the presence of dysbiosis, with scores ranging from 1 to 5. The result will show a -3 to +3 standard deviation, with results showing >2 indicating dysbiosis. The GI360 profile also assesses multiple analytes and markers, such as butyrate-producing bacteria, indicating the production of short-chain fatty acids that can improve digestive health and the abundance of beneficial microbes. 

This test will also measure inflammatory markers such as proteobacteria, which can promote gut inflammation. Overall, the GI360 will measure 45 different markers that are relevant for gut health.

How to Use the GI360 Test in Clinic

For optimal results, it's important that your patient follow detailed instructions and guidelines. It's also essential to set some expectations for your patients for this sample collection. Ensure that they are aware that this is a 3-day at-home stool collection test. Stool specimens should be collected on three separate days. While consecutive days are preferred, it is not mandatory. However, the final collection must be made within seven days of the first collection. 

These instructions may be difficult to remember, so let them know they will also have the instructions included in the lab kit that will be sent to them. It's also important to note that while PCR testing is highly sensitive, it cannot distinguish between live or dead pathogens. Therefore, the test should not be repeated sooner than three weeks after treatment to avoid false positives. 

The results of this test will enable you to create a personalized gut healing protocol and treatment plan for your patients. Retesting will allow you to monitor the effectiveness of the treatments and make adjustments accordingly.

Here are the detailed instructions to provide for your patients:

Preparation & Timing:

Wait at least four weeks after a colonoscopy or barium enema before collecting samples.

Do not collect during menstruation or while actively bleeding from hemorrhoids.

Avoid certain medications for 2 weeks prior to collection:

Antibiotics

Antiparasitics

Antifungals

Probiotic supplements

Proton pump inhibitors

Bismuth

Avoid certain medications for two days prior to collection:

Aspirin

NSAIDs

Digestive enzymes

Laxatives

Mineral oil

Castor oil

Glycerin enemas/suppositories

Activated charcoal

Betaine HCl

Antacids

Bentonite clay

Collection Instructions 

Day 1 Collection 

Write your name, birthdate, and the date you collected the sample on the vial.

Urinate before collection.

Collect stool in the provided container, avoiding contamination with urine or water.

Use plastic wrap on the toilet or a flat surface to collect the sample.

Put on gloves.

Remove the cap from the BLACK vial, not touching the preservative.

Use the attached spoon to transfer the stool into the BLACK vial, collecting it from different areas until it reaches the FILL LINE (do not overfill).

Tighten the cap and shake the vial for 30 seconds.

Place the BLACK vial back into the Day 1 bag.

Refrigerate but do not freeze the sample.

Day 2 Collection

Repeat the same steps as day 1 using the contents from the day 2 bag. 

Day 3 Collection

Write your information on the WHITE vial.

Urinate before collection.

Collect stool in the provided container, avoiding contamination.

Use plastic wrap as before.

Put on gloves.

Transfer stool into the WHITE vial (no liquid preservative) until it reaches the FILL LINE (do not overfill).

Tighten the cap securely, but do not shake.

Place the WHITE vial in a separate bag and seal.

Insert the included Polar Ice Pack into the pouch on the bag.

Freeze for a minimum of 6 hours before shipping.

Additionally, follow the same process as day 1 for the BLACK and YELLOW vials, refrigerating them but not freezing them.

Prepare for Shipping

After at least 6 hours, remove the WHITE top vial bag from the freezer.

Place the WHITE top vial bag and Polar Ice Pack in the test kit box.

Remove the other vials from the refrigerator.

Place the Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 collection bags in the test kit box.

Insert the completed test requisition form.

Close the test kit box.

Place the test kit box in the provided prepaid FedEx Clinical Pak mailer.

Make a note of the tracking number for sample tracking.

Shipping

Ship via FedEx.

To schedule a FedEx pickup, call 1-800-463-3339.

Follow the automated prompts for scheduling.

Indicate that your label has the word "Stamp."

Your tracking number is on the Return Label.

Do not place samples in a FedEx drop box.

Results

Results are typically released to your healthcare provider 3-8 business days after the lab receives the samples. Processing times may vary, and this isn’t guaranteed.

The provider notify you when the results are completed to schedule a follow-up.

Labs to Consider for Further Refinement of Treatments

Here are some other labs provided by Doctor's Data that can be a great addition to the GI360:

Hepatic Detox Profile

Gut and liver health generally go hand in hand in functional medicine. The Hepatic Detox Profile will measure urinary D-glucaric acid (a product of Phase I detox) and urinary mercapturic acids (products of Phase II detox) to assess exposure to over 200 chemicals, liver health, and the liver's ability to eliminate toxins. The body naturally removes harmful chemicals using liver enzymes, and measuring these metabolites will guide interventions to improve liver detoxification and health.

Plasma Amino Acids

Disruptions in gut health can lead to absorption issues such as amino acids. Proper nutritional intake of amino acids is essential to overall health and provides the foundation the body needs to form proteins. If your patients are suspected of having absorption issues that are leading to metabolism issues, the Amino Acid test may be beneficial in conjunction with the GI360 test. This test can also provide insights into hepatic and renal function and neurotransmitter signaling.

Hair Elements

There is a relationship between gut health and brain health called the gut-brain axis. Disruptions in the gut can also impact overall neurological function. If your patient is experiencing neurological symptoms, the Hair Elements test may be indicated along with the GI360 to provide an in-depth analysis of factors that are contributing to their symptoms. Hair Elements analysis is done through a hair sample and can detect recent or ongoing toxin exposure.

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Summary

You may have noticed that most of your patients have some sort of GI issue as the prevalence continues to rise. The GI360 Profile is a vital tool in the clinic for pinpointing the root causes of acute or chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and diseases. It can detect and evaluate imbalances in the microbiome, providing insights into overall GI health and function. This comprehensive analysis can aid in diagnosing and managing GI disorders, enabling customized treatment plans to enhance the quality of care delivered to patients.

Learn More About The GI360 Test

• The GI360 Rupa Reference Guide‍
• Recorded Class - Mastering Gut Microbiome Testing: A Major Weapon Against Chronic Illness‍
• Recorded Class - GI360: Extensive Assessment of the GI Microbiome