Should I stop probiotic supplements before taking a Vibrant Gut ZoomerTM sample?

The Vibrant Gut Zoomer^TM measures microorganism 16sRNA from a person’s stool sample. The results reflect the relative abundance of these microorganisms (bacteria, candida yeast, parasites, and viruses) compared to a reference range at the time of the sample. Thus, if a person is using a probiotic supplement the days/weeks leading up to the sample collection, their sample will reflect the ecosystem as influenced by the probiotics.

Our practitioners usually like to use the Gut Zoomer^TM in one of two ways. They will either have the patient remove or discontinue the probiotic for ~2 weeks before sample collection. The sample will then represent a person’s “baseline” microbiome ecosystem and a practitioner can individually recommend probiotic supplementation from baseline. The second strategy would be to run a Gut Zoomer^TM about ~one month into probiotic supplement to determine if that particular product is affective for that individual.

Can you tell me about the Gut Zoomer^TM 16s RNA technology?

The Gut Zoomer^TM is a DNA test. PCR is used to amplify and extend products of genomic DNA in the stool sample and then Vibrant’s microarray technology is used to measure bacteria 16s RNA.

Does this report show all of the bacteria that are growing in my gut?

Over 1,000 microbial species have been identified in the human gastrointestinal tract, and research is still evolving in this area. Of all the bacterial species identified, only about 100 bacterial species have been associated with potential health outcomes based on existing scientific studies published in peer-reviewed journals. The Vibrant Gut Zoomer^TM measures those species identified as having the greatest impact on health and disease.

Are there other types of bacteria that may be causing symptoms that are not on this report? 

The Gut Zoomer^TM looks at three different types of dysbiosis:

1. dysbiosis caused by a lack of good flora
2. an overgrowth of bacteria that could be considered opportunistic
3. a lack of diversity in the types of flora found on the sample.

In the process of putting together a clinical history that takes into account your symptoms, the Gut Zoomer^TM test provides multiple correlations/risk factors for certain disease states or metabolic abnormalities. Because this type of testing is still an emerging science, it could be that your symptoms are not explained by the bacteria found on the report, however, since the test provides disease and metabolic associations for ~105 bacteria, this is rare.

Does the check mark on the Gut Pathogen test indicate that the pathogen is present?

The check mark indicates that the pathogen has been detected in the sample at a level that is considered pathogenic. See Vibrant’s validation report that states limit of detection (LOD) for each pathogenic organism.

Does the Gut Zoomer^TM test for Candida?

Candida is included on the expanded Gut Zoomer Completepanel.

Does the Gut Zoomer^TM test for SIBO?

No. A stool test is never determinate for SIBO, as stool testing evaluates large bowel microorganism ecosystem and SIBO is a manifestation in the small bowel (SIBO = Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). However, there is a correlation with an overabundance of certain bacteria that are associated with SIBO. If SIBO is suspected, the provider should complete an extensive intake and review of symptoms and consider running Vibrant’s IBSSure^TM which includes anti-CdTB and anti-vinculin antibodies that have a strong positive correlation with positive SIBO diagnosis.