The GI-MAP™ process includes an online order, an at-home stool collection and laboratory analysis. Follow the instructions supplied with your particular kit; vial designs and collection requirements can change.
Step 1: Order your kit
Compare GI-MAP™ Standard, GI-MAP™ + Zonulin and the targeted H. pylori Profile. After payment, complete one intake form per person before the network practitioner places the laboratory order. A test and its purchased practitioner review use the same form. Kits typically ship within 1–3 business days and arrive 3–5 business days after shipment in the continental U.S. Lab ordering is unavailable for patients in New York, New Jersey or Rhode Island. Check shipping terms for your address.
Step 2: Prepare and collect your sample
Read the kit instructions before collecting. Ask your ordering clinician about medicines, supplements and collection timing; do not stop prescription medicines unless your physician directs you to do so. Label the vial with the requested patient details and collection date, and complete the enclosed paperwork.
Use the supplied collection materials and follow the vial’s fill and mixing instructions. For the current U.S. kit, consult Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory’s official stool collection instructions (PDF). Contact the lab if those instructions differ from the materials you received.
Step 3: Pack and return the sample
Seal and package the sample as your kit directs, include the completed form, and use the supplied return label. Keep your tracking number. Under the current U.S. instructions, the sample must reach the laboratory within 10 days of collection. If you cannot ship the same day, refrigerate it and ship as soon as possible, preferably within three days. Follow your kit’s shipping instructions and check carrier pickup availability.
Step 4: Laboratory analysis
Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory uses targeted quantitative PCR (qPCR) to detect and measure DNA from specified organisms. The panel also includes intestinal health markers measured by other methods. Different stool tests answer different questions; qPCR is not a guarantee that every infection will be found or that every detected organism is causing symptoms.
Step 5: Receive and discuss your results
The lab’s standard processing time is 10–16 business days from the date it receives your sample. Once testing is complete and the lab releases your results to us, we typically need an additional 1–3 business days to process and email them to you. Shipping, collection delays or a sample that needs recollection can extend the overall timeline. See results and turnaround for details.
Share the report with a qualified healthcare professional. Findings need to be interpreted alongside symptoms, medical history and other tests. A detected organism or an out-of-range marker does not automatically establish a diagnosis or a need for treatment. A sample report walkthrough can help you understand the report’s layout.
Common questions about collection
How long does the entire GI-MAP process take?
Allow time for kit delivery, collection, return shipping and then laboratory processing. The lab’s standard processing time is 10–16 business days from the date it receives your sample. Once testing is complete and the lab releases your results to us, we typically need an additional 1–3 business days to process and email them to you. These are estimates; shipping and sample collection time are additional.
Do I need to prepare before collecting?
Check the instructions in your kit and ask your ordering clinician about your circumstances. Do not stop prescription medicines on your own. If the vial, paperwork or return packaging is missing or damaged, contact support before collecting.
Collection guidance checked against Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory’s U.S. instructions, revision R2©-061226, on October 7, 2026. Educational information maintained by the Gi Map Test team; this update does not represent a clinical review.