Integrative Health care for the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may involve the use of an array of diagnostic labs. This tool for clinicians describes a number of laboratory tests. Some of these are quite familiar to clinicians, but others may not be. You are encouraged to learn more about them and decide if they have relevance to your practice or self-care.

More commonly used tests

• Stool for blood (guaiac): Still one of the most useful tests for GI health. Blood in a stool sample, warrants further evaluation for infection or tumor.
• Fecal leukocytes: If positive, think of an infectious process and culture the stool. Doing stool cultures with negative fecal leukocytes is of low yield.
• Stool for ova and parasites: Low yield if no recent travel.
• Giardia antigen and cryptosporidium antigen: These two pathogens may contribute to abnormal bowel function.
• H. pylori testing:

• Checking the serum for antibody will likely always be positive if a person has ever had any exposure during their lifetime. It stays positive even after treatment.
• To check for cure after treatment, tests that will change include:

• Stool H. Pylori antigen
• Urea breath test (better sensitivity and specificity than stool antigen¹) can be used to check for cure after treatment.

• Diagnosing H. pylori should be based on local guidelines, when available, given that recommendations may vary based on the prevalence of H. pylori in a population