Digestive Health Extended test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Ongoing digestive symptoms can have overlapping causes, so this panel looks at the gut from several directions. Stool markers include calprotectin, which rises with bowel inflammation, a quantitative faecal immunochemical test (qFIT) for hidden blood, and an H. pylori stool antigen that detects a current infection with the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

The blood sample covers an H. pylori antibody, the tissue transglutaminase IgA antibody used to test for coeliac disease, a group of liver markers including ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin and albumin, ferritin for iron stores, and a full blood count.

The price includes your blood sample and a stool collection kit at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a review of your result with an Omnia practitioner, and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You have had bloating, abdominal pain or a change in bowel habit for several weeks.
• You have indigestion or upper tummy discomfort and wonder about H. pylori.
• You have tiredness or low iron alongside gut symptoms.
• Your GP or practitioner has suggested investigating your digestion more broadly.

Understanding your result

Your report shows the laboratory reference range for each marker, and your practitioner looks at how they fit together. For example, a raised calprotectin with low ferritin may suggest inflammation affecting iron absorption, while a positive coeliac antibody with low iron is a common pattern in coeliac disease. A positive H. pylori stool antigen indicates a current infection, whereas the blood antibody can stay positive after past infection.

A raised qFIT means blood has been found and needs further assessment. A result outside the range is a prompt for discussion, not a diagnosis, and symptoms such as visible blood, weight loss or difficulty swallowing should always be raised with your GP.

Preparing for your test

No fasting is needed for the blood sample. Keep eating gluten as usual for at least six weeks before the test, as the coeliac antibody can become negative on a gluten-free diet. Stop antibiotics and bismuth for four weeks, and proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole for two weeks, before the stool H. pylori test where it is safe to do so, but check with your prescriber first. Collect the stool sample at home with the kit we give you, avoiding contact with urine or toilet water.

If you want to look at one area only, see our calprotectin test, H. pylori tests or coeliac blood test, or compare every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is Digestive Health Extended in Chiswick?

Digestive Health Extended costs £299 at Omnia Lifestyle in Chiswick. This includes your blood sample and stool kit, analysis of all 25 markers at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

Why does it need both blood and stool samples?

Some markers, such as calprotectin, hidden blood and the H. pylori antigen, are measured in stool, while coeliac antibodies, liver markers and blood count need a blood sample.

Can I take this test if I am gluten free?

The coeliac antibody may be falsely negative if you have cut out gluten. Talk to us before booking, as you may need to reintroduce gluten first under guidance.

Will it tell me if I have IBS?

Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed clinically once other causes are excluded. This panel helps check for some of those other causes, which can be a useful part of that process.