Should You Do a GI-MAP Test for Gut and Hormone Health?

The GI-MAP® (Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus) is one of the most advanced stool tests available. It uses quantitative PCR (qPCR) technology to measure microbes and gut health markers from a single stool sample, providing insights that older stool tests simply cannot (Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, 2022).

Gut health underpins hormone balance, immunity, and overall wellbeing. If you have been considering a GI-MAP but feel uncertain about whether it is worth it, this guide will answer the most common questions.

What is the GI-MAP test?

The GI-MAP is a stool test that identifies:

• Pathogens like H. pylori, parasites, and viruses.

• Opportunistic bacteria, fungi, and yeast.

• Beneficial and keystone bacteria such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

• Gut health markers including digestion, inflammation, permeability, and immune activity (Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, 2022).

Book a consultation to see if the GI-MAP could help uncover your symptoms.

Why would I order the GI-MAP?

I recommend this test if you are experiencing:

• Ongoing bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, or reflux.

• Hormone imbalances such as PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, or menopausal symptoms.

• Fatigue, brain fog, or nutrient deficiencies.

• Autoimmune conditions or chronic inflammation.

It is particularly useful when lifestyle changes have helped somewhat, but symptoms persist and we need deeper answers.

Enquire about the Feminalysis 12-week Gut Reset to see how this test integrates into a full program.

How can the GI-MAP benefit women’s health?

1. Hormones and detoxification
   The test can show if certain bacteria are producing high beta-glucuronidase, which impacts oestrogen metabolism and may contribute to PMS, heavy periods, or endometriosis (Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, 2022).

2. Weight and metabolism
   Low Akkermansia muciniphila is linked to weight gain, poor blood sugar control, and metabolic inflammation (Cani et al., 2008; Liu et al., 2022).

3. Immunity and inflammation
   The test measures markers such as secretory IgA, calprotectin, and zonulin, which reveal if the gut barrier is inflamed or leaky (Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, 2022).

What do the results mean?

Your report is broken into categories:

• Pathogens: infections such as H. pylori, Giardia, or norovirus.

• Commensal/keystone bacteria: low levels suggest reduced gut resilience.

• Opportunistic microbes: can overgrow when beneficial flora are depleted.

• Digestive markers: pancreatic elastase and steatocrit show enzyme and fat absorption issues.

• Immune markers: zonulin, calprotectin, and SIgA help identify inflammation and leaky gut.

Patterns on the GI-MAP may highlight insufficiency dysbiosis (low good bacteria), inflammatory dysbiosis (high pro-inflammatory microbes), or digestive dysfunction (low enzymes, poor motility) (Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, 2022).

Book a consultation to go through a sample report and see what it could reveal for you.

Is the GI-MAP test worth it?

The GI-MAP is an investment in uncovering the root cause of your symptoms. Instead of guessing, it gives clarity and direction for a tailored nutrition and lifestyle plan. It can prevent years of trial and error by showing exactly what is happening inside your gut.

For many women, this is the breakthrough that explains why their digestion, hormones, or energy have not responded fully to standard approaches.

References

Cani, P. D., Amar, J., Iglesias, M. A., Poggi, M., Knauf, C., Bastelica, D., ... & Burcelin, R. (2007). Metabolic endotoxemia initiates obesity and insulin resistance. Diabetes, 56(7), 1761–1772. https://doi.org/10.2337/db06-1491

Cani, P. D., Bibiloni, R., Knauf, C., Waget, A., Neyrinck, A. M., Delzenne, N. M., & Burcelin, R. (2008). Changes in gut microbiota control metabolic endotoxemia-induced inflammation in high-fat diet–induced obesity and diabetes in mice. Diabetes, 57(6), 1470–1481. https://doi.org/10.2337/db07-1403

Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory. (2022). GI-MAP interpretive guide. Alpharetta, GA: Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory.

Liu, M. J., Yang, J. Y., Yan, Z. H., et al. (2022). Recent findings in Akkermansia muciniphila-regulated metabolism and its role in intestinal diseases. Clinical Nutrition, 41(10), 2333–2344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2022.08.029