Many people suffer from GI symptoms such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Research is showing that gut microbes play a big role in these issues. This has led to a rise in at-home digestive health test kits that are designed for consumers to conduct on themselves.

CAP-CLIA certified lab celiac home testask you to send in a stool sample, which is then analyzed using powerful technology. Companies then provide you with a report and dietary recommendations based on what they see in your sample. Some offer supplements or probiotics to help you regain the right balance of bacteria in your digestive tract.

Most at-home gut tests follow a similar protocol: you use a kit provided by the company that includes a container to collect your stool sample and a prepaid shipping label to send it back. Some also require that you fill out an online profile or answer questions about your symptoms to provide context for the results.

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Generally, the technology used to analyze your sample is quite advanced and uses sequencing to assess your bacterial composition. Some of these tests can even identify specific types of bacteria in your stool.

But experts warn that these tests aren’t meant to diagnose conditions like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), which can be symptomatic of other diseases such as celiac disease or SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). Additionally, because the GI tract changes quickly, it’s unrealistic for at-home tests to make accurate dietary recommendations over time.