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The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Microbiome Test in 2025 - Dr. Paul Deglmann, DC, DACNB, FACFN

Video Summary: The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Microbiome Test in 2025
With the rise of at-home microbiome testing, many individuals are turning to these kits for insights into their gut health. However, as a doctor in Functional Medicine with 20 years of experience, I've observed significant changes in microbiome testing over the years and want to share some crucial considerations before you commit to an online test.

Why Microbiome Testing Accuracy Matters for Your Gut Health

The microbiome testing industry has exploded in recent years, but not all tests deliver the actionable insights you need for genuine health improvements. Understanding the difference between marketing promises and clinical value is essential for anyone considering gut health testing.

7 Critical Factors to Consider Before Taking a Microbiome Test


1. Understanding Microbiome Test Reliability and Standards: Not all microbiome tests are created equal. The accuracy and usefulness of results can vary greatly due to differing methods and standards. Some tests use outdated 16S rRNA sequencing, while others employ more advanced shotgun metagenomic sequencing. It's essential to research and ensure you're choosing a reliable test that uses current technology and validated methodologies.

2. CLIA Certification: Why Lab Credentials Matter: Check if the test is from a CLIA-certified lab. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification ensures that laboratories meet quality standards for testing accuracy, reliability, and timeliness. Some online tests may not be as well-regulated as others, potentially compromising result quality. Always verify the laboratory's credentials before purchasing any health test.

3. Matching Your Gut Test to Your Specific Health Symptoms: A general gut test may not address your specific symptoms or needs. It's crucial to select a test that matches your particular health concerns. For example, if you're experiencing bloating and gas, you might need a test that includes SIBO markers. If you have skin issues or autoimmune concerns, you'll want comprehensive inflammatory markers included in your analysis.

4. Proper Clinical Interpretation: Interpreting microbiome test results is complex and requires years of experience. While online tests often provide general dietary suggestions and supplement recommendations, this approach is often incomplete. A comprehensive interpretation should consider various factors that can impact gut health, including food sensitivities, beneficial flora levels, potential overgrowths, digestive enzyme levels, and even stress.

5. The Importance of Professional Microbiome Test Interpretation: Interpreting microbiome test results is complex and requires years of experience. While online tests often provide general dietary suggestions and supplement recommendations, this approach is often incomplete. A comprehensive interpretation should consider various factors that can impact gut health, including:
- Food sensitivities and intolerances
- Beneficial flora levels and diversity
- Potential bacterial overgrowths
- Digestive enzyme levels
- Stress and its impact on gut function
- Intestinal permeability markers
- Inflammatory indicators

6. Beyond Testing: A Holistic Approach to Gut Health Protocol: Attempting to address gut issues based solely on a microbiome test can be challenging. Successful protocol often requires an individualized plan, precise supplementation, and targeted dietary and lifestyle changes. For instance, certain probiotics might exacerbate symptoms if used incorrectly or too early in your protocol. A holistic approach considers:

- Your unique dietary needs and restrictions
- Lifestyle factors affecting gut health
- Stress management techniques
- Sleep quality optimization
- Exercise and movement patterns
- Environmental toxin exposure

7. Follow-Up Care and Protocol Adjustments: Without professional guidance, it can be difficult to know how long to follow a particular protocol or when to adjust your approach. A practitioner can help tweak your plan based on your progress and ensure you're not wasting time and resources on ineffective protocols. Regular follow-ups allow for:

- Protocol modifications based on symptom changes
- Supplement dosage adjustments
- Dietary plan refinements
- Progress monitoring through retesting when appropriate

8. Avoiding Common Microbiome Test Interpretation Mistakes:  It's easy to focus too heavily on individual markers in a microbiome test. However, it's crucial to look at the big picture of overall gut health and develop a balanced approach to addressing any issues. Common interpretation mistakes include:

- Overreacting to single bacterial species levels
- Ignoring the importance of bacterial diversity
- Failing to consider the gut-brain connection
- Not accounting for recent dietary changes or medications

 In functional medicine, we view microbiome testing as one piece of a larger health puzzle. This approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of your gut health and a tailored plan that addresses your specific needs. We consider your complete health history, current symptoms, lifestyle factors, and other relevant lab work to create a comprehensive healing strategy.

How Functional Medicine Enhances Microbiome Testing Results:

 In functional medicine, we view microbiome testing as one piece of a larger health puzzle. This approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of your gut health and a tailored plan that addresses your specific needs. We consider your complete health history, current symptoms, lifestyle factors, and other relevant lab work to create a comprehensive healing strategy.

Cost-Effective Gut Health Testing: Getting the Right Tests First

 I'm mindful of the out-of-pocket expenses my patients face for these tests. When you consult with me, I conduct a thorough review of your complete medical history to determine which tests are most appropriate. Not every test is relevant for every individual, so I carefully select tests based on your unique situation and what I believe will be most effective in uncovering the root cause of your specific issues.
This targeted approach helps you avoid:

- Unnecessary testing expenses
- Information overload from irrelevant results
- Delayed care due to focusing on the wrong markers
- Frustration from generic recommendations that don't apply to your situation

Why Professional Guidance Matters for Microbiome Testing Success

 While microbiome testing can provide valuable insights, it's most effective when combined with comprehensive testing and interpreted by an experienced doctor or practitioner. My primary goal is to help you achieve your health objectives as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. You can be confident that I'll recommend only the most pertinent tests to ensure we're taking the most efficient path to improving your health.
Remember, your gut health journey is unique, and having an experienced guide can make the difference between spinning your wheels with generic advice and achieving lasting digestive wellness through personalized, evidence-based protocol.
Request Free Consultation with Restorative Health Solutions
Before you submit your information, please understand, Dr. Paul does not accept Medical Insurance. However, his service should be covered under your HSA plan. 

FAQs:

Do you offer virtual consultations?
At Restorative Health Solutions we offer both in-person and virtual consultations. Feel free to share your preference with our front desk when you reach out. *We do not work with patients that live outside of the United States.
How much is the 15-minute phone consultation?
Your first phone call is complementary and on us. 
Typically how long are the appointments?
The initial appointment after the first phone call is 1 - 1.5 hour on average. Follow-up visits are usually  30 minutes.
How many visits will I need?
This of course, depends on your unique situation and plan for recovery! Typically, our follow-up visits are every 3-6 weeks in the initial phase of the protocol and every 3-6 months for maintenance or wellness visits. Telehealth options are also available.
Do I need a doctor referral to come see you?
No, you do not! We see people referred by doctors, friends and family, and those that are taking charge of their own health.
I am not sure what tests have been run by my MD already? Will you be willing to talk to them on my behalf?
Yes, absolutely! We routinely look at the previous testing you have already run. Please share as much as you can and we will take it from there.
I am already taking supplements or antibiotics? Can what you do still help me?
Yes, absolutely! Managing your gut microbiome while on Antibiotics is crucial! We can review all your supplements with you. Please note, it's not just about taking the supplements. Taking the right supplements, in the right sequence, and the right way is crucial for long-term improvement. If you do it right, you shouldn't need to be on supplements forever! Bring them for your first visit and we will review them together!

What can you expect in working with Restorative Health Solutions?

Learn how we can dramatically lower the recurrence of your symptoms.

At Restorative Health Solutions, we strive to get to the root cause of the symptoms/condition and help patients reach their optimal health. We also guarantee to replace the one-size-fits-all approach with a personalized plan for you! 

How we can dramatically lower the recurrence of your symptoms:

1. Our comprehensive initial assessment with you.

2.  State-of-the-art lab testing that we use strategically to eliminate the guessing and to get to the root cause of your symptoms.

3. Our functional medicine and functional neurology combination approach is comprehensive and gets to the root cause(s) of the problem. The result of this approach is that our patients have a better chance at being healthier long-term with much lower recurrence rates of the problem. For example, we find that SIBO patients experience about a 70% recurrence rate, but with our approach we have seen less than 10% of SIBO patients have their symptoms return after the initial symptom-free timeframe.

If you or a loved one are having any strange GI symptoms, or interested in getting a thorough and complete work-up, we’d be happy to help. If you are already working with another doctor or practitioner we're happy to coordinate care with them. Please don't hesitate to ask questions. We're happy to help.

We look forward to working with you on optimizing your gut health and improving your quality of life.

Sincerely,

Dr. Paul Deglmann, DC, DACNB, FACFN and Dr. Kyle Warren, DC, CFMP
Owners at Restorative Health Solutions- Edina, MN

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