Description
The Combined Gut Health Test provides a comprehensive snapshot of gut health via analysis of a spot urine sample. Using gold-standard analytical methods, the test examines a suite of compounds that are either fundamental to, or produced by, various bacteria or yeasts present in the gut and can have detrimental effects to various aspects of health and wellbeing. The test can be used as a one-off screen for information purposes or alongside multiple sampling points to help guide and monitor various gut-based intervention plans. The test also provides information on the potential requirement for the use of a gluten- and/or casein-free diet across various different conditions via dietary peptide screening.
Our urine sample kits contain everything needed to collect a urine sample from a bladder continent client and return it to us safely. We can ship kits worldwide, including to the US. Our sample tubes include a preservative to aid sample preservation during transit back to our lab.
Some examples of the compounds we screen and their effects include:
p-cresol sulfate https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11855632/
Indican (indoxyl sulfate) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11641216/
Autism Screening Result
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition typically manifesting in early childhood affecting social communication skills alongside the presence of repetitive and restricted patterns of behaviour.
Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition typically manifesting in early childhood affecting social communication skills alongside the presence of repetitive and restricted patterns of behaviour.
The MDM System™ Test
The MDM – microbially-derived metabolites – SystemTM is a research-based urine test designed to assess gut health and provide information on the potential likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.
The MDM System measures the amount of harmful metabolites (chemicals) produced by gut bacteria and yeast/fungi which are excreted in urine. We have discovered that approximately 80% of children with ASD excrete unusually high levels of one or more harmful MDM compared to typically-developing children. By “unusually high” we mean higher amounts than that of typically developing children.
Children with ASD usually have about 3 MDM that are unusually elevated, compared to zero MDM for typically developing children. Our research shows that the MDM system is able to correctly identify approximately 80% of children with ASD, and correctly identify 100% of typically-developing children. It is therefore useful as both a diagnostic screen for gut dysbiosis and as a potential screening test for possible ASD. The test is applicable to children aged between 2 and 11 years old.
The MDM – microbially-derived metabolites – SystemTM is a research-based urine test designed to assess gut health and provide information on the potential likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.
The MDM System measures the amount of harmful metabolites (chemicals) produced by gut bacteria and yeast/fungi which are excreted in urine. We have discovered that approximately 80% of children with ASD excrete unusually high levels of one or more harmful MDM compared to typically-developing children. By “unusually high” we mean higher amounts than that of typically developing children.
Children with ASD usually have about 3 MDM that are unusually elevated, compared to zero MDM for typically developing children. Our research shows that the MDM system is able to correctly identify approximately 80% of children with ASD, and correctly identify 100% of typically-developing children. It is therefore useful as both a diagnostic screen for gut dysbiosis and as a potential screening test for possible ASD. The test is applicable to children aged between 2 and 11 years old.
The outcomes of the test
Assuming suitable urine sample quality, the test provides two possible results:
(i) Negative: Not indicative of ASD associated with microbially-derived metabolites (ASD-MDM). About 20% of children with ASD do not have substantial gut dysbiosis. or
(ii) Positive: A positive result on the MDM SystemTM means that the child has substantial gut dysbiosis that is commonly observed in most children with ASD.
Assuming suitable urine sample quality, the test provides two possible results:
(i) Negative: Not indicative of ASD associated with microbially-derived metabolites (ASD-MDM). About 20% of children with ASD do not have substantial gut dysbiosis. or
(ii) Positive: A positive result on the MDM SystemTM means that the child has substantial gut dysbiosis that is commonly observed in most children with ASD.
A functional test
The test also measures many microbially-derived metabolites present in urine. This means there are potential intervention options for some people irrespective of whether the test shows negative or non-negative likelihood for autism .
Retesting: After a treatment is used, a re-test with the MDM system can be used to determine if the treatment was partially or fully effective in treating the gut dysbiosis.
More information on MDM
The MDMs fall into three general categories:
Tryptophan-Derived: These MDM interfere with normal serotonin and melatonin production. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter which affects many brain functions including learning, memory, mood, and social interaction. Melatonin is an important hormone which regulates sleep.
Phenylalanine/Tyrosine-Derived: These MDM interfere with normal dopamine metabolism, which affects dopamine, nor-adrenaline, and adrenaline metabolism. These neurotransmitters affect many brain functions including mood, executive function, memory, motor control, motivation, attention, and excitement.
Yeast/Fungi-Derived: These MDM’s seem to primarily interfere with brain function.
How long will it take to get results?
Test results are typically available between 5-15 business days following receipt of the urine sample at our laboratory. Results are typically emailed to parents/carers as a PDF document.
The test also measures many microbially-derived metabolites present in urine. This means there are potential intervention options for some people irrespective of whether the test shows negative or non-negative likelihood for autism .
Retesting: After a treatment is used, a re-test with the MDM system can be used to determine if the treatment was partially or fully effective in treating the gut dysbiosis.
More information on MDM
The MDMs fall into three general categories:
Tryptophan-Derived: These MDM interfere with normal serotonin and melatonin production. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter which affects many brain functions including learning, memory, mood, and social interaction. Melatonin is an important hormone which regulates sleep.
Phenylalanine/Tyrosine-Derived: These MDM interfere with normal dopamine metabolism, which affects dopamine, nor-adrenaline, and adrenaline metabolism. These neurotransmitters affect many brain functions including mood, executive function, memory, motor control, motivation, attention, and excitement.
Yeast/Fungi-Derived: These MDM’s seem to primarily interfere with brain function.
How long will it take to get results?
Test results are typically available between 5-15 business days following receipt of the urine sample at our laboratory. Results are typically emailed to parents/carers as a PDF document.
All of the metabolites included in the Combined Gut Health Test plus the Autism Screening Test based on the Microbially-Derived Metabolite (MDM) System. The MDM System reports the number of MDMs which are extremely elevated (above the level of any typically-developing child), including several MDMs not included in the basic Gut Health Test. A score of one or more extremely-elevated MDMs indicates a positive result. Approximately 80% of children with ASD have a positive score, vs. 0% of typically-developing children. A link to the preprint of our research on the MDM System is here: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-7643826/v1
A link to the preprint of our research on the MDM System is here: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-7643826/v1
