What Tests Should You Do If You Have Digestive Issues?

Hey, let’s get real for a minute—having digestive problems is one of the most frustrating things ever. You feel bloated, gassy, or in pain, and it seems like no one has the answers you’re looking for. Doctors might dismiss your symptoms or tell you it’s all in your head, and you’re left stuck, wondering what’s really going on.

If this sounds familiar, let me tell you: You’re not alone. Digestive health is complicated, but one thing’s for sure—if your gut is giving you trouble, you need to get to the root cause. That starts with the right tests. So, let’s talk about what tests you should absolutely consider and why they matter.

Why Testing Is Key to Solving Digestive Problems

First things first, guessing what’s wrong with your digestion is like throwing darts in the dark. You might stumble upon something that helps, but chances are you’ll waste time, money, and energy on solutions that don’t actually work.

When you do the right tests, though, you’re giving yourself a map—a clear picture of what’s happening inside your body. Whether it’s a bacterial imbalance, food intolerance, or something more serious, testing helps you stop guessing and start healing.

Essential Tests for Digestive Issues

1. Comprehensive Stool Test (Gut Microbiome Analysis): This test is like a deep dive into your gut health. It analyzes your stool for bacteria, parasites, yeast, and overall digestive function.

   • What it reveals:

     • Levels of beneficial and harmful bacteria.

     • Signs of inflammation in your gut.

     • Presence of parasites or yeast overgrowth (like Candida).

     • How well you’re digesting and absorbing nutrients.

   • Why it’s important: If your gut microbiome is out of balance, it can cause symptoms like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and even fatigue or brain fog.

   Tip: Look for a test that provides detailed insights, like the GI-MAP or a similar comprehensive stool analysis.

2. SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) Breath Test: SIBO is a condition where bacteria that normally stay in your large intestine end up in your small intestine, causing fermentation, gas, and bloating.

   • What it involves: You drink a sugar solution and then breathe into a tube at timed intervals. The test measures hydrogen and methane gas levels, which indicate bacterial overgrowth.

   • Why it’s important: SIBO can be behind symptoms like bloating after meals, constipation, diarrhea, or even skin issues like acne.

3. Food Intolerance and Allergy Testing: If certain foods are triggering your symptoms, food intolerance or allergy testing can help you identify the culprits.

   • Types of tests:

     • IgG food sensitivity tests: These look for delayed immune reactions to foods.

     • IgE allergy tests: These check for immediate allergic responses.

   • Why it’s important: Food sensitivities can cause symptoms like bloating, fatigue, headaches, and joint pain. Identifying them helps you avoid unnecessary inflammation.

   Important: Food sensitivity tests can sometimes give false positives or negatives, so use them as a guide rather than a definitive answer.

4. Blood Tests for Nutrient Deficiencies: Digestive issues often lead to poor absorption of nutrients. Testing for deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can give you valuable insight.

   • What to test for:

     • Vitamin D

     • Vitamin B12

     • Iron and ferritin

     • Magnesium

     • Zinc

   • Why it’s important: If your body isn’t absorbing nutrients properly, you could feel tired, weak, or even experience mood changes.

5. Tip: Ask your doctor for a full panel that includes these nutrients, especially if you’re dealing with long-term digestive problems.

6. Gastric Acid Test: Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) is a common but overlooked cause of digestive problems. Without enough stomach acid, your body struggles to break down food, leading to bloating, gas, and nutrient deficiencies.

   • How to test:

     • Some functional medicine practitioners use a baking soda test (at home) or a Heidelberg test (in-clinic) to measure stomach acid levels.

   • Why it’s important: Restoring proper stomach acid levels can dramatically improve digestion and nutrient absorption.

7. Celiac Disease Test: If gluten is causing you issues, testing for celiac disease is a must.

   • What it involves: Blood tests check for specific antibodies (tTG-IgA), and in some cases, a biopsy of the small intestine may be needed.

   • Why it’s important: If you have celiac disease, even tiny amounts of gluten can damage your gut lining and lead to long-term health problems.

   Note: Even if you don’t have celiac disease, you could still have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which won’t show up on this test.

8. Hormone Testing: Digestive issues and hormone imbalances often go hand in hand.

   • What to test:

     • Cortisol (stress hormone).

     • Sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone).

     • Thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4, and antibodies for Hashimoto’s).

   • Why it’s important: Hormonal imbalances can slow digestion, cause bloating, or lead to conditions like IBS.

9. Tests for Parasites: Parasites can wreak havoc on your digestive system without you even knowing.

   • How to test: A comprehensive stool analysis can detect parasites. In some cases, blood tests may also be necessary.

   • Why it’s important: Parasites can cause symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nutrient deficiencies.

What to Do After Testing

Okay, so you’ve done the tests—now what? This is where things get tricky because interpreting test results can be overwhelming.

1. Work with a Knowledgeable Practitioner: Whether it’s a functional medicine doctor, PNI nutritionist, or gastroenterologist, make sure you have someone who knows how to dig deep into your results.

2. Create a Personalized Plan: Every gut is unique, so your treatment plan should be, too. It might include:

   • Dietary changes (e.g., low FODMAP, gluten-free, or anti-inflammatory diets).

   • Supplements to support gut healing (like probiotics, digestive enzymes, or specific nutrients).

   • Herbal remedies for conditions like SIBO or parasites.

3. Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Gut: I know it’s tempting to push through digestive issues and hope they’ll magically go away, but trust me, they won’t. Ignoring the problem can lead to bigger issues like:

   • Chronic inflammation.

   • Autoimmune conditions.

   • Mood disorders like anxiety and depression (gut-brain axis).

My Final Thoughts

If you’re struggling with digestive issues, don’t let anyone tell you it’s “normal” or “just stress.” Listen to your body, do the tests, and get the answers you deserve.

The journey might feel overwhelming, but having the right information changes everything. And remember, this is about taking control of your health so you can feel good in your body again. You’ve got this—I’m rooting for you!

Do you think this hits the mark, or should I dive deeper into any specific test? 😊