Overview
Microba offers four testing options to help you and your healthcare practitioner better understand your gut microbiome and gastrointestinal health.
The three Microbiome Explorer tests offer different levels of insight, with each option building on the last by including additional testing panels.
GI Navigator is a separate, more integrated testing option designed specifically for people experiencing complex or persistent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.
The right test for you will depend on your symptoms, health goals and what your healthcare practitioner would like to investigate.
Microbiome Explorer
All three Microbiome Explorer options use advanced shotgun metagenomic sequencing to provide detailed insights into your gut microbiome.
Each option includes full microbiome mapping, with additional panels available depending on the level of testing selected.
Essentials
For when the relationship between your microbiome and general health is the focus.
Essentials provides a comprehensive profile of your gut microbiome, helping identify the microorganisms present and their potential functional activity.
Includes:
Full microbiome mapping.
More than 19 microbiome markers.
Expert Summary.
Evidence-graded insights.
Species and Marker Explorer.
Extended
For when gut dysfunction is suspected.
Extended includes everything in Essentials, with additional gastrointestinal health markers to provide further insight into gut function and the intestinal environment.
Includes:
Full microbiome mapping.
More than 19 microbiome markers.
Gut Physiology Panel, including 8+ markers.
Expert Summary.
Evidence-graded insights.
Species and Marker Explorer.
Comprehensive
For when gut dysfunction and/or infection are suspected.
Comprehensive includes everything in Extended, with additional pathogen screening to help identify selected gastrointestinal pathogens and parasites.
Includes:
Full microbiome mapping.
More than 19 microbiome markers.
Gut Physiology Panel, including 8+ markers.
Pathogen and parasite screening, including 19+ markers.
Expert Summary.
Evidence-graded insights.
Species and Marker Explorer.
GI Navigator
For people experiencing complex or persistent gastrointestinal symptoms.
GI Navigator takes a broader approach to understanding gastrointestinal health by bringing together multiple sources of information into one integrated test and report.
It combines laboratory testing with information about your symptoms and health history to help your healthcare practitioner better understand your individual presentation.
GI Navigator includes:
Full microbiome mapping: Detailed analysis of the gut microbiome and its functional activity.
Gut Physiology Panel: Assessment of key gastrointestinal health markers.
Pathogen screening: Screening for selected gastrointestinal pathogens and parasites.
Patient Presentation Profile: An online questionnaire covering symptoms, dietary patterns and relevant health information.
Personalised Clinical Interpretation: Your results are interpreted in the context of your reported symptoms and health information.
Prioritised suggested actions: Personalised, prioritised recommendations to help your practitioner identify potential next steps for investigation and management.
Evidence-graded insights: Findings supported by scientific evidence, with grading to help communicate the strength of available research.
Species and Marker Explorer: An interactive way to explore your microbiome findings and test markers.
What makes GI Navigator different?
Unlike Microbiome Explorer, which provides microbiome markers and results for your healthcare practitioner to interpret, GI Navigator brings the different testing components and your patient-reported information together.
The GI Navigator report uses Microba's Clinical Logic Engine, drawing on more than 2,500 peer-reviewed studies to provide:
Personalised clinical interpretations.
Evidence-graded insights.
Prioritised suggested actions to help guide further investigation and clinical management.
This integrated approach is designed to support healthcare practitioners when working with patients experiencing complex or ongoing GI symptoms.
Comparing the tests
Test | What's included | Designed for |
Essentials | Full microbiome mapping | Exploring the relationship between the microbiome and general health |
Extended | Full microbiome mapping + Gut Physiology Panel | When gut dysfunction is suspected |
Comprehensive | Full microbiome mapping + Gut Physiology Panel + Pathogen Screening | When gut dysfunction and/or infection are suspected |
GI Navigator | Full microbiome mapping + Gut Physiology Panel + Pathogen Screening + Patient Presentation Profile | Complex or persistent gastrointestinal symptoms |
Which test should I choose?
The best test depends on your individual circumstances and what your healthcare practitioner is looking to investigate.
Choose Essentials if the primary focus is understanding your gut microbiome and its potential relationship with general health.
Choose Extended if additional insight into gut physiology and function is required.
Choose Comprehensive if both gut physiology and potential gastrointestinal pathogens need to be investigated.
Consider GI Navigator if you are experiencing complex or persistent gastrointestinal symptoms and would benefit from a more integrated assessment with personalised clinical interpretations and prioritised suggested actions.
Your healthcare practitioner can help determine which testing option is most appropriate for your needs.
How do I access testing?
Microba testing is accessed through a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Once your practitioner has recommended a suitable test, you will receive an at-home collection kit with instructions on how to collect and return your sample.
Your sample is processed by Microba's laboratory, and once testing is complete, your results are made available through an interactive report for your healthcare practitioner to review with you.