Increases in neutral fat are commonly associated with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

Increase in stool total fats (neutral fats, soaps, and fatty acids) is likely to be associated with small bowel disease.

Antigliadin antibodies (AGAs) are antibodies of the IgA and IgG classes found in the serum of celiac disease patients. These antibodies mainly target gliadin-derived peptides, which are the main proteins of gluten. AGAs are not specific for celiac disease as they are also found in patients with other gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis, gastroenteritis, and IBD.

Fecal color analysis on a GI Effects panel is a significant component in the evaluation of gastrointestinal health. The color of stool can provide meaningful insights into digestive processes and potential issues within the gastrointestinal tract. Stool normally ranges in color from various shades of brown, influenced by the breakdown of bilirubin and the presence of bile in the digestive system.

However, deviations from this typical brown hue can indicate various conditions and factors. For instance, clay-colored or pale stools may suggest a problem with the liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts, potentially indicating issues with bile production or flow. Dark, tar-like stools can be indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding, often resulting from conditions like ulcers or hemorrhoids. Green stools might be related to the transit time of food through the intestines or the consumption of certain foods, like leafy green vegetables. Red or black stools may be alarming, potentially pointing to blood in the stool, which could result from gastrointestinal bleeding. Yellow or greasy stools may signal malabsorption, where the body struggles to digest and absorb fats.

Fecal consistency analysis on a GI Effects panel is a crucial aspect of assessing an individual's gastrointestinal health. The appearance and texture of stool can provide valuable insights into the functioning of the digestive system and may indicate various underlying issues.

Loose fecal consistency, as identified through this testing, can signify a range of potential concerns. It may point to malabsorption, where the body struggles to absorb essential nutrients from ingested food, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies. Additionally, loose stools can be indicative of inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract, which can be associated with conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Eosinophil Protein X (EPX) is a water-soluble protein that is found in eosinophils.

EPX levels in stool are a marker of eosinophil activity in the gastrointestinal system. Fecal EPX abnormality is suggestive of food allergy, eosinophil-driven inflammation (caused by parasites). The test has been shown to have higher specificity and positive predictive value for detecting disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease compared to fecal calprotectin.

When you eat fat, a small amount of the fat passes out the body through the colon. Some of the different types of fats in the feces include phospholipids, sterols, sphingolipids, cholesteryl esters, glycolipids, soaps and glycerides.  

A fecal fat test helps your doctor identify pancreatic or intestinal disorders. It can indicate your body isn’t creating enough enzymes or there is malabsorption.

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein released by a type of white blood cell called neutrophil.

Fecal lactoferrin levels are helpful in monitoring disease activity and efficacy of treatment for IBD.

Fecal lactoferrin is a valuable biomarker measured in GI tests to assess inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It is a protein released by neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, during inflammation, making its presence in stool indicative of inflammatory processes within the gut. Elevated levels of fecal lactoferrin are often associated with conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and can help differentiate these from non-inflammatory conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The fecal occult blood test (=FOBT) looks for blood in your feces. “Occult” (=hidden) means that the blood amount is so small that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. The bleeding does not change the color of the stool or result in visible bright red blood. Therefore, the blood is found only by testing the stool for blood in the laboratory.

Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) checks stool samples for hidden (occult) blood loss from the mouth to the colon.

The fecal occult blood test (=FOBT) looks for blood in your feces. “Occult” (=hidden) means that the blood amount is so small that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. The bleeding does not change the color of the stool or result in visible bright red blood. Therefore, the blood is found only by testing the stool for blood in the laboratory.

Blood in the stool means there is likely some kind of bleeding in the digestive tract. It can be a sign of a problem in your digestive system, such as a growth, or polyp, or cancer in the colon or rectum.

– This test is a screening that may help find colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective.

– Occult blood means that you can’t see it with the naked eye.

– Identifies microscopic amounts of blood in the stool

A fecal pH test is one where a specimen of feces is tested for acidity in order to diagnose a medical condition.

- Human feces is normally acidic.

- The average pH for a healthy person is a pH of 6.6.

Fecal pH is dependent in part on fermentation of sugars. Colonic fermentation of normal amounts of carbohydrate sugars and production of fatty acids accounts for the normally slightly acidic pH.

Fecal Secretory IgA is a marker of gut secretory immunity and barrier function.

Elevated fecal levels of zonulin have been associated with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and healthy cigarette smokers. High fecal zonulin levels in smokers irrespective of IBD point to the significant and undesirable up-regulation of gut permeability in cigarette smokers.

Ferritin is a protein that serves as a storehouse for iron in the body. When iron supplies dwindle, ferritin releases some into the blood. Therefore, a blood ferritin test is an indication of how much iron is stored in the body. Iron is used primarily by red blood cells to carry oxygen to other cells, and as such Ferritin is vital to blood health.