Why would I order a GI MAP?
I had a troll comment on my video recently that sparked a blog idea. While the comment was annoying it is a very good question.
The troll asked why I would order an expensive test (the GI MAP) if I can’t even diagnose.
1) While a diagnosis can be helpful, I don’t need that to start nutrition counseling. If you have constipation or constant bloating, I don’t need an IBS diagnosis to start making nutrition changes to support healthy digestion.
2) I only order the “expensive tests” when the client has tried a number of other tests and they haven’t found any answers. They are stuck with chronic GI symptoms (bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea. Sometimes reflux too).
Let’s break that down a bit more. When clients come to me, they have usually exhausted all other resources. I hope that one day conventional and functional medicine can work together versus functional medicine being a “last resort”, but I get it. I used functional medicine as a last resort in my own journey, so I have no judgement.
When I say exhausted all other resources, I mean they have tried scopes, colonoscopies, different drugs, elimination diets and some have even tried seeing several specialists. They are sent to the GI clinic and they send them to an ear, nose and throat doctor and they send them to an endocrinologist. They are going round and round, but not getting any better.
At this point, I think it is beyond worth investing in functional testing. On the flip side, I think it is good to check off some of the bigger boxes (no ulcer, no cancer etc). but again, if the two methods of practice could be working together, we could get clients answers a lot faster.
So in other words, I use the GI MAP because it typically can give us more direction than previous tests. I use it as a TOOL, not a diagnostic tool, but a tool to create a roadmap for gut healing and symptom relief. It helps unveil the root cause of the ongoing symptoms.
I think it’s worth noting that I practice as a dietitian not a nutritionist, health coach or integrative nutritionist. A dietitian is a licensed medical professional that does get training in interpreting labs along with thousands of hours of clinical practice before we are licensed. We are VERY aware that we cannot diagnose anything, and I make that clear to my clients when we review labs. Again, we use the labs to help unpack their symptoms and create a strategy for their body. If any of the conversation starts to go out of my scope, I recommend the client to talk to their doctor (i.e. medication conversations).
Here is a definition of the GI MAP generated from AI that I think is spot on so let me copy it here for you:
The Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP) test is a stool test that analyzes your gut health by measuring the amount of microorganisms in your gut. The test can help you understand your gut flora, which is made up of trillions of microorganisms that are important for your overall health. The GI-MAP test can show you:
· Microorganisms: The presence of good and bad bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and yeast
· Pathogens: The presence of pathogens like H. pylori and E. coli, and bacterial species that may trigger autoimmune responses
· Gut inflammation: The presence of gut inflammation and leaky gut syndrome
· Nutrient absorption: How well you absorb nutrients and digest food
· Immune function: Your overall immune function and stress response related to your gut
· Proteins: The levels of certain digestive and immune system proteins that are indicators of digestive function and gastrointestinal health
Do you NEED the GI MAP to be healthy? No. There are several foundation steps that you can take to support gut health before testing. You can find so many resources here on my website to get you started (like my mineral guide, GI blog posts and my metabolism webinar).
I would, however, order a GI MAP before doing any food sensitivity testing. Foods are often triggers and not the root cause. There are absolutely people who have food sensitivities, but I would want to make sure digestion isn’t the reason because eliminating foods can be stressful. So, if there was a way to heal without eliminating food groups, that would be the best option in my book!
More on that later. For now, if you want to know more about how I can help you with your GI symptoms and functional testing, email me at kelseyscot.co@gmail.com
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