* This test requires a consultation before ordering. BOOK HERE.
 
Method - Urine
 
Upon ordering, the lab kit will be sent directly to your home address.
You take your sample in the comfort of their own home and send your sample to the lab via pre-paid courier.​
 
Test Results
 
7-10 day turnaround time
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Items tested
 
The Intestinal Permeability analysis tests for the following:
Lactulose (recovery %)
Mannitol (recovery %)
Lactulose : Mannitol ratio
 
Changes in intestinal permeability (leaky gut) are associated with many health conditions including autism, autoimmune disorders, food sensitivities and inflammatory bowel disease. This ‘leaky gut’ causes disease because the perturbed intestinal barrier allows toxic molecules to enter the bloodstream and poison the body.  Intestinal permeability can be measured using the lactulose/mannitol test.
 
The intestinal permeability test which assesses lactulose and mannitol recovery can be used to monitor improvements or deterioration in intestinal permeability as a result of therapy, disease or drug use.  Furthermore, the intestinal permeability test has been used to monitor the compliance and effectiveness of a gluten-free diet in patients with Coeliac disease.
 
For those of you wanting to know the nitty gritty of how this test works:
The test works on the principle that small molecules (i.e. mannitol) are readily absorbed by the intestinal villi, whilst larger molecules such as disaccharides (i.e. lactulose) are not. These water soluble non-metabolised sugar molecules after penetrating the intestinal tract are excreted into the urine.  Under normal circumstances the ratio of lactulose to mannitol in urine is low (i.e lactulose is not absorbed), mannitol is absorbed.  When the structure of the intestinal epithelium is jeopardised (‘leaky gut’ is present), the large sugar molecule can permeate the mucosa and is recovered in the urine.  In this situation the level of lactulose is increased in the urine and therefore the ratio of lactulose to mannitol is high.
In addition to assessing leaky gut, this test can also help identify malabsorption.  If a low level of mannitol which normally penetrates the intestinal epithelium is observed, it may indicate malabsorption of small molecules and possible atrophy of the intestinal villi.
 
Common Conditions:
Gut dysbiosis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Coeliac
Fatigue
Food allergy and sensitivities
Immune compromised condititions (recurrent sickness)
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Symptoms & Conditions Associated with Intestinal Permeability (leaky gut) Function:
 
Abdominal pain
Bad breath
Bloating
Brain fog
Chemical sensitivities
Coeliac’s disease
Constipation
Depression
Anxiety
Autism
ADHD
Diarrhoea/Constipation
Fatigue
Food allergies and sensitivities
Headaches
Inflammatory bowel disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Maldigestion/malabsorption
Multiple sclerosis
Auto-immune disorders
Skin conditions
Weight loss
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Gastrointestinal Health
 
The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) has three main functions:
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To digest and absorb important nutrients for the healthy growth, cell repair and function
To act as a barrier to keep harmful substances, antigens and microorganisms from entering the blood
Elimination of waste products and toxins
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The GI tract influences not only GI health. It is also known as the ‘second brain’ and affects the entire body.
 
Within the gastrointestinal tract more than 500 different bacterial species can be found. These bacteria also play a key role in digestion, nutrient absorption, pathogen defence and immune system development. When the microbiome is out of balance, every part of the body can be affected, including the brain.