What Gastrointestinal Issues Can You Test for Right Now?
Order your lab requisition online — then bring it to a local lab to test for gastrointestinal conditions.
If you’ve been dealing with bloating, cramping, fatigue, or irregular digestion, you’re not alone—and you’re not without options. One of the most proactive steps you can take is lab testing. But what gastrointestinal issues can you actually test for right now?
As an acupuncturist and TCM practitioner with over a decade of experience, I focus on treating the root causes of inflammation, fatigue, and gut issues. I often recommend functional lab testing as a helpful tool to support diagnosis and guide more targeted, effective care.
Why Test for Gut Health?
Your gut health is deeply connected to your immune system, nutrient absorption, and even your mood and cognition. In TCM, gastrointestinal disorders often reflect deeper imbalances in the Spleen, Stomach, and Liver systems—organs that play key roles in digestion, transformation, and stress processing.
By using modern diagnostics alongside classical pattern differentiation, we can uncover root imbalances—whether the issue is a bacterial overgrowth, inflammation, food intolerance, or chronic dysregulation along the brain-gut axis.
What Gastrointestinal Issues Can You Test For?
Here are some of the most common and relevant tests available right now:
H. Pylori Infection
This bacteria can cause ulcers, bloating, and stomach pain.
Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity
Autoimmune issues that can lead to malabsorption and chronic inflammation.
Lactose Intolerance
Very common in adults and often confused with IBS.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Covers Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis—both linked to chronic inflammation.
Occult Blood (FIT Test)
Used to screen for hidden blood in the stool—an early warning for colon issues.
Parasites and Tapeworms
Often overlooked but can cause persistent digestive symptoms.
Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
Screens for gut-related immune responses and malabsorption.
TCM and the Brain-Gut Axis
Modern research is starting to validate what TCM has known for centuries—gut issues are about more than digestion. A 2024 review in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that both FGIDs and IBD are influenced by the brain-gut axis, microbiome activity, and inflammation—all of which TCM addresses through Spleen and Liver regulation, acupuncture, and dietary therapy.
General Health Panels That Support GI Health
You can also pair gut-specific testing with full-body lab panels for a more complete picture:
Get the Insight You Need to Heal Your Gut
If you’re wondering what gastrointestinal issues you might be dealing with, the first step is getting clarity. Testing gives you hard data—something both modern practitioners and TCM professionals like myself use to build effective treatment plans. Whether you’re trying to optimize your gut, manage a chronic condition, or improve performance, don’t guess—test.
See the full list of available gastrointestinal tests and panels
