Complex & Invisible Health / Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a common long-term condition of the digestive system. It's classified as a disorder of gut-brain interaction: the gut looks normal on standard tests, but how it moves and senses is altered.

About IBS

Clinicians diagnose IBS from its symptom pattern: recurring abdominal pain linked to bowel movements or changes in stool frequency or form. IBS is grouped by the main stool pattern: constipation, diarrhea or mixed.

Common symptoms and challenges

  • Abdominal pain or cramping related to bowel movements
  • Bloating and gas
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or both
  • Food-related symptoms and unpredictable flares

Biological factors

Well established: Altered gut motility, increased gut sensitivity and gut-brain signalling all play a role. IBS can begin after a gut infection.

Emerging research: Studies have found differences in the gut microbiome of people with IBS, but there's no microbiome pattern that diagnoses IBS.

Overlapping conditions: Guidelines recommend checking for celiac disease in people with IBS-type symptoms. Lactose intolerance can cause similar symptoms.

Laboratory testing

A clinician may order blood and stool tests to look for celiac disease, inflammation, infection and anemia. Celiac blood tests require you to be eating gluten to be accurate.

What our tests may reveal

  • Gut microbiome testing describes which microbes are present and in what proportions. It can be repeated over time.
  • Celiac genetics shows whether you carry the HLA variants associated with celiac disease. A negative result makes celiac disease very unlikely.
  • Lactose intolerance genetics shows whether you're genetically likely to keep producing lactase into adulthood.

Important limitations: None of these tests diagnoses IBS. Microbiome testing does not diagnose SIBO, infections, inflammatory bowel disease or any other condition. A celiac genetic test doesn't replace celiac blood tests or biopsy.

Related Tests

MapmyBiome Gut Microbiome Test
dnaPower · purchased on dnaPower's website

MapmyBiome Gut Microbiome Test

$499.00 · price set by dnaPower

What it explores
The composition and diversity of your gut microbiome at the time of sampling.
Why it may be relevant
A snapshot of your gut microbes that can be repeated over time. It does not diagnose IBS or SIBO.
Sample
Stool sample, collected at home
View Test
DNA Celiac Disease Test
Laboratory: Genetrack · order through Wise Canary

DNA Celiac Disease Test

$325.00

What it explores
Whether you carry HLA variants associated with celiac disease.
Why it may be relevant
Celiac disease can cause IBS-like symptoms. A negative result makes it very unlikely.
Sample
Cheek (buccal) swab, collected at home
View Test
DNA Lactose Intolerance Test
Laboratory: Genetrack · order through Wise Canary

DNA Lactose Intolerance Test

$180.00

What it explores
Your genetic likelihood of lactase persistence or non-persistence.
Why it may be relevant
Can help explain one possible cause of dairy-related symptoms.
Sample
Cheek (buccal) swab, collected at home
View Test
Complex & Invisible HealthExplore by Health InterestUnderstanding your results

For education only. This information is not medical advice and doesn't replace evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional. See a healthcare provider promptly for blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, persistent vomiting, symptoms that wake you at night, or new symptoms after age 50. Health & laboratory disclaimer