Your gut does far more than digest food. It houses trillions of microbes that influence hormone metabolism, immune function, mood, inflammation, and nutrient absorption. When things are off in the gut, the effects often show up elsewhere in the body: unexplained fatigue, skin issues, mood changes, hormone imbalances, autoimmune flares, or lingering digestive symptoms that don't respond to diet changes alone.
The GI-MAP Plus Zonulin is a comprehensive stool test that uses DNA-based analysis to identify what's living in your gut, how well you're digesting food, and whether your intestinal barrier is doing its job. The "Plus Zonulin" means this version also measures zonulin, a marker of intestinal permeability (often referred to as "leaky gut").
Anyone, men or women, who wants a deeper look at their gut health.
Especially useful if you're experiencing persistent digestive symptoms (bloating, reflux, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain), unexplained fatigue or skin issues, autoimmune concerns, or if you're investigating the connection between your gut and your hormones. Women in perimenopause often find gut changes surprising, and this test helps explain what's happening.
Conventional testing for gut concerns is often limited to ruling out serious conditions like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. What it rarely tells you is whether your gut microbiome is balanced, whether opportunistic organisms are overgrowing, whether you're digesting food well, or whether your gut barrier is intact.
The GI-MAP Plus Zonulin gives you that fuller picture. It uses DNA analysis to detect bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses that traditional stool testing often misses. It measures markers of digestion and inflammation. And with the zonulin addition, it assesses intestinal barrier function, which matters for everything from immune activity to estrogen metabolism.
For women specifically, the gut also plays a direct role in how estrogen is cleared from the body. An imbalanced gut microbiome can interfere with that process, which can affect hormone balance during perimenopause and beyond.
A comprehensive stool analysis covering:
Beneficial bacteria. Measures key probiotic species that support gut health.
Opportunistic bacteria. Detects organisms that can overgrow and contribute to symptoms.
Pathogens. Identifies bacteria, parasites, and viruses known to cause gut-related illness.
Yeast and fungi. Tests for candida and other fungal overgrowth.
Parasites. Detects common parasitic infections.
Digestive markers. Assesses pancreatic function, fat digestion, and gluten sensitivity markers.
Inflammation markers. Measures calprotectin and secretory IgA to assess gut inflammation and immune activity.
Zonulin. A marker of intestinal barrier function, used to assess "leaky gut."
H. pylori and virulence factors. Identifies H. pylori infection and assesses its aggressiveness.
Lab results are data, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Gut health is influenced by diet, stress, medications, recent travel, and many other factors, and a single stool sample is a snapshot in time. Interpreting these results well requires clinical context.
If you'd like help understanding what your results mean and you live in Virginia, Maryland, DC, or Delaware, you can book an interpretation visit with Discreet Health for a clear, educational walk-through of your results. If you live elsewhere, we recommend following up with a licensed clinician in your state. If you're looking for a treatment plan or ongoing care, that lives in our clinical programs (only available to residents of VA, MD, DC, and DE).
Collection Method
This test uses a single stool sample collected at home. You'll receive a kit with collection materials and detailed instructions. Follow the instructions carefully for accurate results.
Medications and Supplements
Certain medications and supplements can affect the accuracy of a gut microbiome test, including antibiotics, antifungals, certain probiotics, bismuth-containing products like Pepto-Bismol, and some prescription medications. Review the materials included with your kit and the guidance available on Diagnostic Solutions' website for specific instructions on what to pause and for how long. If you're uncertain whether a medication or supplement you take could affect your results, check with your own clinician before collection. Do not stop prescribed medications without first consulting the prescribing provider.
Recent Illness or Travel
Recent gastrointestinal illness, international travel, or food poisoning can affect your results. If you've had any of these in the weeks before collection, consider waiting until your gut has stabilized for the most representative results.
A dried urine test that measures sex hormones, adrenal hormones, and the metabolites your body produces as it processes them. Often chosen by women already on hormone therapy who want additional detail. We're upfront about where this test is useful and where blood work gives us more reliable answers.
A look at how your cortisol rises, falls, and settles across the day. Useful for understanding stress patterns, sleep issues, and HPA axis dysregulation when blood cortisol alone doesn't tell the full story.
A urine-based test that measures mycotoxins (toxic byproducts of mold) in your body. Often chosen by women with a history of water-damaged buildings or unexplained symptoms that haven't responded to other interventions.
An at-home test that uses DNA analysis to identify the bacteria, yeast, and organisms living in your vaginal microbiome. Often chosen by women with recurrent symptoms or those investigating the connection between hormones, the gut, and vaginal health.
Compassionate, evidence-based hormone health care for women, delivered through secure telemedicine.
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