If you’ve tried all the diets, supplements and gut protocols but still feel like something isn’t quite right, it might be time to dig deeper — into your gut microbiome.
What Is the Gut Microbiome?
The gut microbiome is a diverse community of bacteria, yeasts, parasites, and other microbes living in your digestive tract and it plays a major role in your digestion, immune function, mood, hormones and even skin health.
When this community is in balance, we feel energised, regular, and mentally sharp. But when things shift, when beneficial bugs drop, harmful ones grow, or inflammation takes hold and symptoms can arise that feel vague, chronic or confusing.
What Can Microbiome Testing Reveal?
Unlike general blood tests or standard stool samples from your GP, comprehensive gut microbiome testing can give you an in-depth view of:
- Your bacterial diversity and key strains (what’s there, what’s missing)
- Overgrowths of bacteria, yeasts or parasites
- Signs of inflammation or immune dysfunction in the gut
- Your digestive capacity (how well you’re breaking down and absorbing food)
- Short-chain fatty acid production — essential for gut lining and metabolic health
- The presence of resistant pathogens or opportunistic species
- Key gut markers that can indicate inflammation, poor gut health and leaky gut
This type of testing offers a snapshot of your inner ecosystem and often explains why your symptoms aren’t shifting with general gut support alone.
When Can It Be Useful?
Although gut microbiome testing forms a key part of our gut assessment process, it isn’t always the first step for most people. Often, they’ve already seen their doctor, undergone colonoscopy or endoscopy, had blood tests and everything has come back clear.
This is when it’s time to go beyond “there’s nothing wrong” and look deeper at how your gut is functioning.
Microbiome testing can be especially helpful if you:
- Have chronic bloating, irregular bowel habits, or gut symptoms that don’t respond to diet or probiotics
- Experience recurring issues like skin breakouts, fatigue, brain fog or food sensitivities
- Have been told you have IBS, but never feel like you’ve found the root cause
- React to fermented foods, prebiotics or probiotics — often a sign of imbalance
- Are healing after antibiotic use, long-term stress or chronic illness
- Had a previous gastrointestinal infection and never felt the same since
- Want a personalised gut health plan that’s based on what your body actually needs
What Happens After Testing?
Once we receive your results, we create a step-by-step strategy to support your gut health. This may include:
- Targeted antimicrobials, prebiotic and / or probiotics to restore balance
- Dietary adjustments to increase microbial diversity or reduce overgrowth
- Gut lining support and inflammation-reducing strategies
- Digestive enzyme or bile support where needed
- Mind-gut support if stress or nervous system dysregulation is contributing
Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, your care plan is built around your unique microbiome and symptom profile.
Why Testing Can Be Empowering
If you feel like you’ve tried everything but nothing quite sticks, or you’ve been told your tests are “normal” but you don’t feel normal, gut microbiome testing can provide clarity and confidence.
It helps us shift from a guessing game to an informed, intentional approach and for many people, it’s the turning point in their healing.
Thinking About Testing?
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed or dismissed – this kind of testing might be the next step. Book a consultation with us and we’ll guide you through the process, explain your options, and help you get the insights your gut has been trying to tell you all along. If you already know you want to test – you can also purchase our testing and consult packages online here. All our naturopaths are highly experienced in gut health disorders and are ready to help guide you to better gut health!
Written by Naturopath Chae
Leave a Comment