Microbiome and gut-related markers, including selected bacteria, calprotectin, zonulin and Candida-related measurements. Explore available results with reference ranges and interpretation notes.
Category pages help structure biomarkers, but users often need a symptom-first path to understand why a marker matters.
What this category can do
Microbiome and gut-related markers, including selected bacteria, calprotectin, zonulin and Candida-related measurements. Explore available results with reference ranges and interpretation notes.
Questionnaires
Use structured assessments to complement what a biomarker category can tell you.
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A category page organizes markers, but many users are actually trying to answer broader questions about fatigue, PEM, pacing, or structured symptom documentation.
Questionnaires
Use validated assessments when a biomarker category alone is too narrow for the underlying question.
PEM
When symptoms worsen after activity, the timing pattern can matter more than a category label.
ME/CFS
Use the illness hub when reduced capacity, fatigue, or multisystem symptoms are part of the larger picture.
Adjacent categories
Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucin-degrading gut bacterium that supports intestinal barrier integrity and immune regulation.
Reference: >10000000
Bacteroides are a major group of bacteria in the human gut microbiome that help break down complex nutrients and support immune function. Measuring their levels in stool provides insight into gut health.
Reference: >50000000000
Bacteroidetes is a phylum of bacteria abundant in the human gut that ferments dietary fiber into beneficial short-chain fatty acids. The percentage of Bacteroidetes in stool is a key indicator of gut microbiome composition.
Reference: 20-45
Bifidobacterium is a group of friendly bacteria that live in the gut, aiding digestion and immunity. Stool tests measure its abundance to assess microbiome balance.
Reference: >10000000000
Fecal calprotectin is a protein released in the stool when there is inflammation in the intestines. It helps distinguish between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and non-inflammatory conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Reference: <50
Candida glabrata is a yeast that can be found in the gut microbiome. This test measures its amount in stool to assess possible fungal overgrowth.
Reference: 1000
Candida krusei is a yeast species occasionally found in the gut. Its measurement in stool helps assess potential fungal overgrowth as part of gut microbiome analysis.
Reference: 1000
Candida lusitaniae is a yeast that may be present in small amounts in the human gut. Elevated levels in stool are used to detect possible fungal overgrowth in microbiome assessments.
Reference: 1000
Candida tropicalis is a yeast that can be found in the gut. Stool testing for C. tropicalis helps identify overgrowth that may be linked to digestive issues.
Reference: 1000
Enterobacter spp. are bacteria occasionally found in the gut; elevated levels in stool may suggest dysbiosis.
Reference: <1000000
Enterococcus spp. are common gut bacteria that support digestion; both low and high levels can reflect microbiome imbalances.
Reference: 1000000-10000000
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium naturally present in the human gut. Measuring its levels in stool helps assess the balance of the intestinal microbiome.
Reference: 1000000-10000000
Eubacterium hallii (also known as Anaerobutyricum hallii) is a beneficial gut bacterium that produces butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that supports intestinal health, reduces inflammation, and promotes metabolic balance.
Reference: > 15000000000
Eubacterium rectale is one of the most abundant butyrate-producing bacteria in the human gut, supporting colon health, reducing inflammation, and strengthening the immune system.
Reference: >20000000000
A beneficial gut bacterium that produces butyrate, an anti-inflammatory compound that supports intestinal lining health.
Reference: >10000000000
Firmicutes are a major group of beneficial intestinal bacteria that ferment dietary fiber and produce energy. Their relative abundance in stool is measured as part of gut microbiome analysis.
Reference: 50-75
Fusobacterium spp. measurement quantifies the amount of Fusobacterium bacteria in stool, usually reported in colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g). It assesses gut microbiome balance and potential pathogenic overgrowth.
Reference: <2000000000
Klebsiella spp. is a group of bacteria found in the gut microbiome. A stool test measures their amount to evaluate bacterial balance and possible overgrowth.
Reference: <10000000
Lactobacillus species are a group of lactic acid-producing bacteria that are a key part of a healthy gut microbiome. They aid digestion, support the immune system, and help protect against harmful microbes.
Reference: 100000-10000000
Methanobrevibacter spp. are methane-producing archaea in the human gut. Their stool levels are measured to assess methanogenic overgrowth linked to constipation and slow intestinal transit.
Reference: >100000000000
Morganella spp. is a group of bacteria not typically part of the healthy gut flora. Its detection in stool, particularly at elevated levels, may point to intestinal dysbiosis or overgrowth.
Reference: <1000000
Fecal elastase-1 measures the amount of the digestive enzyme elastase produced by the pancreas. It is a reliable marker for exocrine pancreatic function.
Reference: >200
Stool pH reflects the acid-base balance in the large intestine, influenced by gut bacteria, diet, and digestive processes.
Proteobacteria are a phylum of bacteria found in the human gut. While a small proportion is normal, high levels may suggest gut microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis) or intestinal inflammation.
Reference: 1.0-3.5
Proteus spp. is a group of bacteria that are typically absent or present in only very low numbers in a healthy gut. Detecting higher levels in stool may suggest an imbalance in the gut microbiome (dysbiosis) or bacterial overgrowth.
Reference: <1000000
Providencia spp. is a group of bacteria often detected in stool. While low levels may be harmless, overgrowth can indicate gut microbiome imbalance.
Reference: <50000000
Measures the amount of fat in stool to evaluate how well the body digests and absorbs dietary fats.
Reference: <3.5
Evaluates the amount of nitrogen in stool, reflecting protein digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
Reference: <1
The stool water content test measures the percentage of water in a stool sample, reflecting the fluid balance in the intestines and helping evaluate stool consistency and digestive function.
Reference: 75-85
Roseburia spp. are beneficial gut bacteria that produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that fuels colon cells and supports gut barrier integrity.
Reference: >30000000000
Ruminococcus spp. are normal gut bacteria that ferment complex plant fibers, producing beneficial short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, which support colon health.
Reference: >50000000000
Secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is the main antibody found on mucosal surfaces, particularly in the gut. It defends against pathogens and helps regulate the intestinal immune system.
Reference: 510-2040
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are gut microbes that produce hydrogen sulfide. Elevated levels in stool may contribute to digestive discomfort and dysbiosis.
Reference: <2500000000
Depending on the test, it may measure selected gut bacteria and additional stool markers. Methods, reference ranges and clinical usefulness vary substantially between providers.
Dysbiosis is a broad term for an altered microbiome composition. It is not a diagnosis by itself; its relevance depends on symptoms, the test method and other findings.