The selection of analyses in the Basic package with gluten markers is intended to assess whether gastrointestinal complaints are caused by a digestive problem, an abnormality of the gut flora or yeast overgrowth, inflammatory reactions (calprotectin and secretory IgA), or gluten intolerance (anti-gliadin and anti-ht-transglutaminase).

Digestive problems
Abnormal acidity, whether too high or too low, indicates a disturbance of the gut flora. When undigested food, mucus and an abnormal consistency are found in the stool, this indicates intestinal disorders. If you do not tolerate starch-rich products such as bread, a high starch content may be found in the stool. This can cause an increase in yeasts such as Candida species. Finally, the amount of fat in the stool is important. High fat excretion is associated with several conditions: disorders of the liver, gallbladder or pancreas. Fat content may increase further in coeliac disease, inflammation and with the use of acid-suppressing medicines.

Abnormalities of the gut flora
The gut flora analysis is carried out using specific culture methods in which the numbers of the main aerobic bacterial groups are determined (Enterobacteriaceae, E.coli, Lactobacillus spp. and Enterococcus spp.). In addition, a genetic technique is used to determine the numbers of the anaerobic bacterium Bifidobacterium spp. These bacteria play an important role in maintaining a healthy intestinal environment and immunity. A decrease in bacterial numbers can cause symptoms and reduced resistance.

Yeast overgrowth
A culture is used to determine the numbers of fungi and yeasts such as Candida albicans. An increase in Candida species can cause a bloated abdomen, mushy stools and flatulence. Do you have gastrointestinal complaints that developed after a course of antibiotics? Are you sensitive to yeasts? Have you had Candida infections? Then this test is very useful.

Calprotectin
Calprotectin is a sensitive inflammatory marker for the intestinal wall and stomach. Calprotectin has an antibacterial effect and is released by white blood cells. An increase can be detected in the stool. Very high values occur in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis. The test can be used to monitor a person with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease over a longer period.

The use of painkillers such as diclofenac – a medicine often prescribed for joint complaints – can cause stomach complaints and intestinal damage. The level of the inflammatory marker calprotectin is often elevated with chronic use of this type of painkiller.

Secretory IgA (sIgA)
Immunoglobulins play an important role in the body’s defence. They protect the body against many organisms. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) circulates in the blood and protects against invasion by bacteria, viruses and parasites. Secretory IgA (sIgA) defends the mucous membranes and stimulates the growth and attachment of beneficial bacteria. The correct level of sIgA indicates good resistance. Contact with bacterial substances prompts the immune system to produce additional sIgA. An increase often indicates an infection. At low sIgA levels, resistance is reduced and inflammation of the mucous membranes, nose and throat, intestine or bladder occurs more often. Children catch colds more often. In the Netherlands, 1 in 20 to 50 people with gastrointestinal complaints has low sIgA levels. A deficiency of sIgA can have many causes, including a congenital deficiency, gluten intolerance or stress (especially in older people).

Gluten markers
Gluten consists of proteins found in grains such as wheat, rye and spelt. Coeliac disease is called gluten intolerance, but it is actually a lifelong inflammatory disease that develops in response to gluten. Bread can also cause abdominal complaints due to a wheat allergy. The stool is tested for antibodies against anti-gliadin and anti-ht-transglutaminase. An increase in these antibodies indicates that the body reacts negatively to gluten and that it produces antibodies against gliadin and the substance transglutaminase. High values do not prove gluten intolerance, coeliac disease. They do indicate an increased likelihood of this disease. If you do not tolerate bread well, the likelihood of coeliac disease is 5 to 10 times higher than average.

Package contents

The Basic package contains the following analyses:
– Digestive parameters: pH, fat content, starch and plant fibres, consistency and colour
– Aerobic gut flora: Enterobacteriaceae, E.coli, Lactobacillus spp. and Enterococcus spp.
– Bifidobacterium spp.
– Yeasts and fungi (especially Candida species)
– Gluten markers: anti-gliadin, anti-ht-transglutaminase

Indications/symptoms

The following complaints and indications may occur with one or more conditions investigated in the Basic package:
– Nausea
– Fatigue
– Regular abdominal pain
– Stomach complaints
– Sleep problems
– Itchy skin, eczema
– Anal itching
– Loose stools or constipation
– Mushy, unformed stools
– Fatty stools (light in colour)
– Stools that stick to the toilet
– Fermenting stools
– Undigested food
– Bloated abdomen after eating
– Flatulence after eating
– Complaints after eating bread, rice and pasta
– Aching pain in the upper abdomen
– Complaints after fatty food
– Reduced resistance, frequent colds
– Mucus formation in the throat, sore throat
– Coughing, shortness of breath
– Itchy ears or eyes
– Fungal infections
– Bladder irritation
– Joint complaints or muscle pain
– Vaginal irritation
– Use of acid-suppressing medicines
– Symptoms decrease after probiotic use
– Symptoms developed after a course of antibiotics
– Family members with gallbladder complaints
– Increase in symptoms after consuming sugar or starch
– Frequent use of antibiotics
– Use of contraception and painkillers
– In children: growth retardation
– Anaemia, deficiency of minerals or vitamins
– Depression, neurological complaints
– Migraine
– Gastrointestinal complaints since childhood
– Gluten intolerance occurs in the family

Gut flora in babies
A baby has a distinct gut flora that appears after only a few days. After several weeks, the flora is developed. Initially there are more Bifidobacteria than in adults and there is often somewhat less variation in the flora. It is certainly useful to have the gut flora analysed when a baby has gastrointestinal complaints such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea.