1. Pathogens
Bacteria, parasites & viruses that can cause infectionHelicobacter pylori is a bacterium that colonizes the stomach lining. It is extremely common and often causes no symptoms — but when certain virulence-factor genes (such as CagA and VacA) are present, it is associated with a higher risk of gastritis and ulcers. The GI-MAP™ uses qPCR to both quantify H. pylori and report which virulence factors are present.
Why it matters: a clinician interprets H. pylori and virulence-gene findings alongside your history and other evidence. A low quantity or absent virulence marker does not by itself establish that no care is needed.
These organisms can cause acute or lingering gastrointestinal infections. qPCR detects their DNA (and, for C. difficile, its toxin genes). A positive result needs clinical interpretation; DNA detection alone does not establish that an organism is causing illness.
Why it matters: a detected enteric pathogen should be reviewed promptly with your practitioner or physician.
The GI-MAP™ screens for protozoa and parasites. Some (like Giardia and Cryptosporidium) are clear pathogens; others (like Blastocystis hominis) are common and their significance depends on your symptoms and overall picture.
Why it matters: a clinician should assess the finding alongside symptoms and consider confirmatory testing where appropriate.
The laboratory sample report lists Adenovirus 40/41 and Norovirus GI/II under viral pathogens. A negative result does not exclude viruses outside the panel or replace assessment of symptoms and timing.
2. Normal & Beneficial Bacteria
Keystone microbes that support a healthy gutAkkermansia is a commensal organism associated with mucus metabolism. The reported stool abundance does not directly measure the condition of your gut barrier.
Why it matters: a low result is a comparison with this laboratory’s reference range. It does not by itself diagnose dysbiosis or identify a supplement you need.
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii can produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid. Its abundance in a stool sample is not a direct measurement of how much butyrate your gut produces.
These are commensal bacterial groups reported against the laboratory’s reference ranges. An in-range result for a few organisms does not establish that the whole microbiome is healthy.
3. Opportunistic & Overgrowth Organisms
Organisms that need interpretation in clinical contextMethanobacteriaceae are methane-producing archaea. A stool DNA result does not measure breath methane or locate organisms in the small intestine, and it does not diagnose SIBO or intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO).
Why it matters: ask your clinician whether symptoms warrant a separate evaluation. ACG explains the role of breath testing in selected patients.
These organisms may be detected without illness. An elevated DNA quantity does not, on its own, establish the cause of symptoms or a need for antimicrobial treatment.
4. Fungi & Yeast
Candida and other yeastsThe panel measures selected Candida DNA targets. Detection or an out-of-range stool quantity does not, by itself, diagnose a Candida infection or show that antifungal treatment is needed.
5. Intestinal Health & Digestion
Inflammation, immunity, digestion & the gut barrierCalprotectin is a protein released by neutrophils (immune cells) in the gut and is a widely used marker of intestinal inflammation. Clinically it helps distinguish inflammatory from functional conditions and is used to monitor inflammatory bowel disease.
Why it matters: an elevated calprotectin warrants clinical correlation with your practitioner or physician — it is a signal, not a diagnosis.
Secretory IgA is an antibody measured in stool. Its level needs clinical context; a high or low value alone does not diagnose infection or measure your overall immune competence.
Fecal elastase-1 is used when evaluating pancreatic enzyme insufficiency. Stool consistency matters: AGA guidance specifies a semi-solid or solid specimen. A clinician should assess a low result in context.
Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme-activity measurement. It does not directly measure blood estrogen levels or establish a hormone disorder.
The laboratory reports stool zonulin when this add-on is ordered. It is included in our GI-MAP™ + Zonulin panel, not Standard. The result alone does not establish abnormal intestinal permeability or explain a person’s symptoms.
Why it matters: discuss whether this additional marker would change your care before choosing a panel.
Detects blood that isn't visible in the stool. A positive result always needs evaluation by a medical provider.
Original walkthrough reviewer
Madison Ordway, FDN-P
Review recorded for the original walkthrough: 1 June 2026. The later educational sections and the editorial corrections dated 9 November 2026 are awaiting practitioner review.
Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner specializing in gut health, hormone balance, and mineral optimization. Madison uses GI-MAP™ testing in her work with clients and has been featured in US Insider, Women's Journal, and The Science Times.
How results are measured. GI-MAP uses qPCR for selected microbial targets. Intestinal-health markers use other assays, including immunoassays; they are not all measured by PCR. Some findings are quantitative and others are qualitative. Use the units and reference range printed for each marker. See the laboratory’s methods, sample report, test overview and our results timeline.
Educational guide — pending practitioner review · By Gi Map Test
What each section of the report shows
The walkthrough above groups selected markers into five sections. The laboratory’s full sample report separates pathogens, H. pylori, commensals, opportunists, fungi, viruses, parasites and intestinal-health markers, then resistance findings and any ordered add-ons. Your own report shows the panel actually performed.
- Pathogens — bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens: organisms with an established ability to cause gastrointestinal disease, several reported alongside their toxin genes. A detection here is not automatically a diagnosis. Our gut infections hub covers the individual organisms.
- H. pylori and virulence factors — how much H. pylori DNA was found, plus a screen for virulence factors: genes such as cagA and vacA that are associated with higher-risk strains. See the H. pylori biomarker guide.
- Normal and commensal bacteria — selected bacterial abundances, including Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. High or low flags alone do not diagnose dysbiosis or specify treatment.
- Opportunistic and overgrowth organisms — organisms that can also occur in people without symptoms. Their presence needs context. See the opportunistic bacteria guide.
- Fungi and yeast — selected Candida and other fungal targets. Detection alone does not diagnose a fungal infection. See the Candida guide.
- Viruses and parasites — selected viral and parasitic targets appear in more than one report section. Consult your report’s headings and the laboratory sample report for the exact layout. See the parasites guide.
- Intestinal health markers — selected measurements such as calprotectin, secretory IgA, pancreatic elastase-1, steatocrit, beta-glucuronidase, occult blood and anti-gliadin IgA. These are not a complete assessment of gut function. Zonulin is an optional add-on; see the individual marker guides.
- Antibiotic-resistance findings — H. pylori-specific resistance markers are part of the GI-MAP and are reported when the laboratory’s conditions are met. The Universal Antibiotic Resistance Genes panel is a separate optional laboratory add-on; do not assume it is included in your order. Universal findings cannot identify the organism carrying each gene, and detecting a gene does not guarantee drug resistance. See the laboratory’s guide, pages 41–43.
Go deeper
- GI-MAP™ interpretive guide: how to read every section of your report.
- GI-MAP™ opportunistic bacteria: the full species list.
- GI-MAP™ vs. conventional stool culture: a DNA-based panel compared with a stool culture.
- GI-MAP™ vs Gutcheck: clinical qPCR testing versus a 16S microbiome survey.
- GI-MAP™ vs GI Effects vs Gut Zoomer: panel differences, total cost and questions to ask before ordering.
What the GI-MAP™ can't tell you
A flagged result gives you a specific, quantified place to start a conversation. It is not an answer on its own, for these reasons.
- Detecting DNA is not proof of active infection. A molecular result may detect genetic material without establishing that a living organism is causing symptoms. IDSA recommends interpreting molecular stool-test results in clinical context.
- A reference range is not a diagnosis. Reference ranges are set by Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory and printed next to each marker, so you are always comparing your value against the lab’s own threshold, not a universal medical standard. Reference ranges and marker counts should not become a diagnosis on their own. Sources: The GI-MAP™ Interpretive Guide; Compare stool tests.
- A clean report is not an all-clear. The panel cannot exclude conditions or organisms it does not assess. Stool findings do not diagnose SIBO or IMO. ACG describes clinical assessment and breath testing for suspected SIBO.
Three ways to use your results
Every order is paired with a network practitioner who places the lab order. After that, you choose how much support you want with your results.
- Practitioner review
Add the Optional practitioner review ($245 USD): a personalized written report from a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P), with a marker-by-marker breakdown of your findings. - Your results, your call
Interpret the report yourself, or take it to your own doctor. - Data for your AI health plan
Your full results report, ready to use with the AI health tools you already use. AI tools don't diagnose and don't replace a clinician.
We recommend reviewing your results with a licensed practitioner.
What clean data means for an AI health plan
The report includes measured amounts as well as qualitative findings such as detected, not detected or not applicable. Values must be read with their units, reference ranges and clinical context.
Clean data means you receive your full results report, ready to use with the AI health tools you already use. AI tools don't diagnose and don't replace a clinician.
We recommend reviewing your results with a licensed practitioner.