The GI Map test, explained
Considering a GI Map test in the UK? Find out what it measures, who it suits and how I'll help you choose the right gut health test for you.
If you've been searching for a GI Map test in the UK, chances are you've already spent a fair while trying to make sense of your symptoms, and a good few online results too. Gut testing is an investment, so it's completely understandable to want to know exactly what you'd be paying for before you commit.
This page explains what the GI Map test is, what it can tell us and who it tends to suit. It is also one of several gut health test options I offer, so I'll explain how we make sure you end up with the one that genuinely fits you.
What Is the GI Map Test?
The GI Map (also written GI-MAP, short for GI Microbial Assay Plus) is a comprehensive stool analysis processed by Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory. It uses a single stool sample, collected at home, and DNA-based testing to identify and measure the microorganisms living in your gut, alongside markers that show how well your digestive system is working.
In plain terms, it gives us a detailed look at who is living in your gut, how they are behaving, and how your digestion and gut lining are coping as a result.
What Does the GI Map Test Look At?
Beneficial bacteria: the friendly bacteria that support digestion, immunity and mood
Less helpful bacteria: bacteria that can cause problems when they get out of balance or overgrow
Infections and parasites: including H. pylori and certain parasites and viruses, which can linger after a bout of food poisoning or a holiday tummy bug
Yeast and fungi: including candida, which can contribute to bloating and digestive upset when it overgrows
Digestion: how well you are breaking down food, including fats and proteins
Gut inflammation: markers of inflammation and immune activity in the gut
Gut barrier health: markers linked to the integrity of the gut lining, sometimes described as "leaky gut"
The GI Map doesn't diagnose a condition, but it gives us measurable information to work with, so the food, supplement and lifestyle changes we make are targeted rather than trial and error.
Who Might Benefit From a GI Map Test?
A gut health test can be a helpful next step if you are experiencing any of the following, particularly if you've already tried changing your diet without lasting relief:
bloating, wind, constipation, diarrhoea or an IBS label that hasn't fully resolved
reflux or indigestion that keeps coming back
new or growing food sensitivities
symptoms that began after antibiotics, food poisoning or travel
persistent fatigue or brain fog with no clear cause
skin concerns such as eczema, acne or rosacea
hormonal symptoms where gut health may be playing a part
a sense that something isn't right, even though other tests have come back clear
How Does Testing Work?
Free 20 minute chat. we start with a free 20 minute chat, where we talk through your symptoms, history and goals
Choosing your test. Together we decide whether the GI Map or another test is the best fit, and your kit is posted to your home. Testing is charged separately from my consultation packages, and I'll always confirm the cost with you before anything is ordered
Sample collection. You collect your sample at home, following the simple instructions, and post it back using the prepaid packaging
Lab analysis. Your sample is analysed by the laboratory, with results typically available within a few weeks
Results consultation. We go through your results together on a video call, in plain English, so you understand exactly what your gut is telling us
Your plan. You leave with a practical, personalised plan covering food, supplements and lifestyle, with support to put it into action.
Is the GI Map the Right Gut Health Test for You?
The GI Map is a well-respected test, and for many people it's an excellent fit. But it is one of several gut microbiome and stool tests on the market, and each looks at the gut in a slightly different way, covering a slightly different set of markers. The right choice depends on your symptoms, your history and what you're hoping to understand, not on which test has the best marketing or the highest search ranking.
Gut testing isn't cheap, and I want you to feel confident that you're investing in a test that actually answers your questions. That's why I don't expect you to work it out alone. In our free 20 minute chat, we'll review the options available alongside your symptoms and goals, and I'll recommend the test that will give you the most useful insight. Sometimes that will be the GI Map, sometimes it will be another option, and either way you'll know exactly why before you spend a penny.
You can read more about the full range of options on my gut microbiome testing page, or head straight to booking your chat below.
If you're ready to stop guessing and find out what's really going on in your gut, book your free 20 minute chat and we'll take it from there.
Put yourself back on the priority list. x