There are various places that provide testing for a leaky gut and for related conditions. Below are some examples of the testing you can undergo to pin point your specific problems. Always visit your doctor if you are suffering from any pain or illness and let your doctor know if you are going to undertake any 'alternative' testing methods.

All the information below was provided by the test providers themselves. There are of course other places that perform various tests. Just be sure to do your research and always consult your doctor.

Biolab

Biolab is a medical laboratory specialising in nutritional and environmental medicine, measuring minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, toxic metals, pesticides and other environmental chemicals. They have also developed a wide range of methods of assessing the effects of 21st Century lifestyles on our health. Amongst these are two ways of looking at abnormal gut function:

The gut permeability profile (£42) uses a substance, polyethylene glycol (PEG 400), which plays no part in human biochemistry, which is ingested as a drink. This solution is made up of known molecular weights, so the quantity of each molecular weight of PEG 400 passed in the urine over the next 6 hours can be used to build a profile of gut absorption (and permeability). PEG 400 which is not absorbed through the gut is excreted in the faeces.

Biolab can also measure the levels of short-chain polypeptides (£63) in the blood 1-2 hours after a protein containing meal (your normal main meal of the day). Incomplete digestion of proteins from the meal will result in short-chain polypeptides entering the blood stream. These mimic the action of hormones and cytokines thus disrupting normal biochemical activity.

Biolab can only provide tests if a medical practitioner is willing to receive their reports and assist with the interpretation of the results. They do not offer a service directly to the public. Further details can be found at www.biolab.co.uk.

The Diagnostic Clinic- Dr Rajendra Sharma

The Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) test

The orthodox medical world does not recognise this as a medical condition - yet. There are laboratories in the United States and one here in the United Kingdom that test for this condition using a very simple method. A solution of inert (indigestible and unusable) molecules is drunk and, having emptied the bladder previously, urine is collected for the next six hours. At the end of this time the sample is shaken and a small portion sent to the laboratory. A certain percentage of the small molecules should have passed through the gut wall, into the blood stream and been filtered out by the kidneys into the urine. The larger molecules that were drunk should not have got through and simply pass out with the faeces. The presence of any large molecules, therefore, in the urine indicates the presence of increased intestinal permeability - the Leaky Gut Syndrome.

At this time instructions and collection kits can be sent to an individual. Once the sample is collected it is returned directly to The Diagnostic Clinic and results returned, usually, within 7 days.

The LGS is frequently associated with yeast or fungal infections including Candida. A test called The Gut Fermentation study can give practitioners information regarding the presence of yeast. This simple test involves the patient taking a sugary capsule or drink and an hour later having a blood sample taken to look for alcohols in the bloos. This appears because of the fermentation of sugar by yeasts. This test also gives information about a lack of dietary fibre, possible hypoglycaemia and the presence of good and bad bowel flora.

Food Allergy Testing

Food Allergy Cellular Test is the test of choice regarding food allergy. This looks for a particular inflammatory compound that comes out of White Blood Cells in the presence of an allergic food. Food allergy is a main issue either causative or as an effect of a leaky gut.

Bioresonance Food intolerance testing

Testing for food intolerance can be done using a Bioresonance computer. The Diagnostic Clinic's choice is the QX Quantum CI in the hands of a specialised nutritionist.

BioHit - Stomach acid production assay

Poor digestion can leave large undigested molecules in the small intestine that can damage the inner or epithelial lining of the gut. These larger molecules may also be more likely to trigger an immune response. A new test called BioHit is a blood test that allows us to tell if the stomach lining is producing the correct quantity of acid to ensure breakdown of food.

Treatments

If a leaky gut is established and symptoms of ill health can be associated with this then treatment is a prerequisite for a return to good health.

Current treatment protocol includes high dose acidophillus (to replenish bowel bacteria and challenge yeast i.e. Candida, infection), herbal antibacterial extracts including berberine from berberis, a special clay powder that releases oxygen into the bowel (most bad bacteria are anaerobic - they don't live in oxygen), herbal extracts known to increase the integrity of mucosal (gut lining) cells and the protein glutamine - a protein essential for bowel membrane integrity.

A diet avoiding fermentable foods - an anti-candida diet is recommended strongly along side the treatments regardless of the evidence for yeast infection as these diets tend to be hypo-allergenic in any case.

Dr Rajendra Sharma is a fully qualified doctor specialising in Integrated Medicine and the Medical Director of The Diagnostic Clinic. Further details can be found at www.thediagnosticclinic.com

IWDL (Individual Well Being Diagnostic Laboratories)

Commonly the causes of a leaky gut include food allergies/ intolerances, intestinal infections (eg candidiasis, parasites), inadequate digestion (which can cause intolerances), chronic stress, excessive intake of coffee, caffeine containing drinks/ sugar/ alcohol, deficiencies of certain key nutrients that repair the intestinal mucosa such as zinc or vitamin A could also worsen this condition.

Treating a leaky gut must always involve treating the cause:

FAC (Food Allergen Cellular) Test [view pdf]

This is a blood test which assesses 233 different foods for any sort of immunological reaction (both allergies and intolerances). It also tests common food additives, flavourings, colourings, seasonings and beverages. Certains foods/ beverages are known to cause damage to the gut wall (alcohol and coffee), while other foods may be elicitng an immune reaction (allergy or intolerance), which causes damamge to the gut wall. The cost is £245.

Gut Permeability test

This will measure the extent of permeability in the gut, and may be beneficial when monitoring treatment to see how the gut is improving. Cost £90.

Comprehensive Stool Analysis with Parasitology [view pdf]

This stool analysis will identify whether there is any bacterial, yeast, parasitic infection, as well as measuring various digestive, absorptive, immunological, inflammatory, and other intestinal health markers. Intestinal pathogens can all cause considerable damage to the intestine wall. Digestive factors such as low stomach acid or pancreatic enzymes can also contribute to allergies or intolerances, which in turn damage the intestinal mucosa. Cost £220.

Candida Antibody Profile [view pdf]

This test measures the production of antibodies (IgA and IgG) against Candida, which will help to identify whether there is a yeast overgrowth or not.Cost £70.

Gluten Sensitivity Profile

This measures various antibodies to gliadin from gluten, as well as a marker called tissue transglutaminase, which can all help to identify gluten intolerances or untreated coeliac's disease. Costs £70.

Comprehensive Adrenal Stress Index [view pdf]

This is a saliva test which measures the circadian rhythm of two important stress hormones, cortisol and DHEA. Chronic stress has well known detrimental effects on digestion, and can directly cause or contribute to a leaky gut. This profile also measures an important marker of immune function, Secretory IgA which is found in gastrointestinal secretions and makes up about 80% of the immune system in the gut. This immunoglobulin forms the first line of defence against any pathogen in the gut which may be causing damage to the gut wall. SIgA levels are frequently depressed with stress. Costs £90.

Further details can be found at www.iwdl.net

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