Three levels of gut microbiome testing, ordered and interpreted by our IFM-trained Functional Medicine practitioners — from a broad first-look screen through to full metagenomic sequencing for complex cases.
Rather than guessing, a stool test gives us an objective starting point — imbalanced bacteria, a hidden parasite, low digestive enzyme output, or a compromised gut lining all show up clearly in the data. Gut imbalance is often behind symptoms like IBS and digestive complaints, or unexplained fatigue and brain fog.
We offer three levels of testing, so the depth of the test matches what your case actually needs. Your Functional Medicine practitioner will recommend the right one for you at your consultation, and can pair results with tailored nutrition support where useful.
Looking for a different type of functional test? See the full range on the Functional Medicine Testing page — including adrenal, hormone, genetic, organic acids (OAT) and toxin testing.
A side-by-side look at what each test covers, so you know what to expect before your consultation.
| Complete Microbiome Mapping | Advanced Microbiome Mapping | Microbiomix Metagenomic Mapping | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Quantitative PCR panel | PCR + live culture & sensitivity testing | Shotgun metagenomic sequencing (28,000+ species) + PCR & biochemical markers |
| Best suited to | First-time gut screen, bloating, IBS-type symptoms, general dysbiosis workup | Suspected specific pathogen or overgrowth where treatment direction matters | Complex, longstanding or treatment-resistant cases; inconclusive prior testing |
| Unique advantage | Broad, reliable baseline across bacteria, parasites, fungi & viruses | Tells us which antimicrobial or antifungal will actually work — not just what's there | Widest possible coverage, including rare or unculturable organisms |
| Digestive & immune markers | Zonulin, calprotectin, secretory IgA, pancreatic elastase, β-glucuronidase, SCFAs, faecal pH, steatocrit | Zonulin, calprotectin, pancreatic elastase, β-glucuronidase, SCFAs, Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio | Zonulin, calprotectin, secretory IgA, pancreatic elastase, β-glucuronidase, transglutaminase IgA, SCFAs, faecal pH |
| Sample | Single stool sample, home collection kit | Single stool sample, home collection kit | Single stool sample, home collection kit |
Not sure which applies to you? That's exactly what your Functional Medicine consultation is for — book a consult and we'll match the test to your symptoms.
Our foundational gut screen — a single stool sample analysed using quantitative PCR to check for pathogenic bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi, alongside the beneficial bacteria that should be there. It also measures key digestive and immune markers, including zonulin (gut lining integrity), calprotectin (inflammation) and pancreatic elastase (digestive enzyme output).
It's the test we most often start with for bloating, irregular bowel habits, digestion-linked fatigue, or a gut picture that's "off" without an obvious cause.
Builds on the same PCR panel, then goes a step further: any bacteria, fungi or yeast detected are cultured live and tested against a panel of antibiotics, antifungals and natural antimicrobials to see what actually works against them.
If we already suspect a specific overgrowth, or previous treatment hasn't resolved a stubborn gut issue, this is the test that points to a treatment that will actually work — rather than treating by trial and error.
Our most comprehensive option. Instead of testing for a fixed list of organisms, it uses shotgun metagenomic sequencing to read all the microbial DNA in your sample — covering more than 28,000 species, including rare or hard-to-culture organisms a targeted panel simply won't pick up.
It's the test we reach for with complex, longstanding or treatment-resistant gut presentations, or when a previous targeted test came back inconclusive but symptoms persisted.
A Functional Medicine consult with our practitioner to review your symptoms and confirm the right test for you.
Order through Premier Wellness — collect your kit in clinic, or have it delivered directly to you.
Collect your sample following the instructions included in your kit exactly.
A follow-up consult walks through your results and builds your treatment plan.
Talk it through with our Functional Medicine team at your consultation — Glenfield, Orewa or telehealth.
We'll match the right stool test to your symptoms — in-person at Glenfield or Orewa, or online anywhere in New Zealand.
