Dr. Weyrich's Naturopathic Functional Medicine Notebook
Test Overview of Comprehensive Stool Analysis Panel
The Stool Analysis Panel detects both beneficial and pathogenic microflora in
the GI tract, including yeasts, bacteria, and parasites. It also provides
a number of other markers of gut health.
Test Indications of Comprehensive Stool Analysis Panel
First-line test for evaluating Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD),
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Asperger's Syndrome,
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD, ADHD), and learning disability.
First-line test for evaluating depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
First-line test for evaluating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS),
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Crohn's Disease,
and other intestinal complaints.
First-line test for evaluating autoimmune disorders, joint pain,
and psoriasis.
First-line test for evaluating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
Environmental toxicity.
Seizure disorders.
Sample Collection for Comprehensive Stool Analysis Panel
Your doctor will provide you with the sample collection kit.
The sample must be sent via overnight FedEx directly to the lab
on a Monday through Thursday using the prepaid mailer provided.
Detailed instructions are in the sample collection kit.
Your doctor or lab may have different instructions that supersede the above.
ICD-9 CODES for Comprehensive Stool Analysis Panel
ICD-9 Code
Description
Comments
112.9
Yeast infection
277.9
Metabolic disorder
279.9
Immune system disorder
Labs Performing Comprehensive Stool Analysis Panel Test
Costs cited are subject to change and may be reduced by insurance or cash discounts and increased by sample collection fees.
Theory of Comprehensive Stool Analysis Panel
Digestion and Absorption
Stool Fats
Long-chain fatty acids are an indication of fat-malabsorption or maldigestion.
Short-chain fatty acids are necessary nutrients for colonocytes.
Meat Fibers
Undigested meat fibers in the stool are suggestive of poor digestion due to
inadequate stomach acid.
Vegetable Fibers
Undigested vegetable fibers in the stool are suggestive of poor digestion.
Pancreatic Elastase
Low levels may indicate pancreatic insufficiency.
Carbohydrates
Presence may indicate poor absorption.
Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity
Beneficial Bacteria
We want to see high levels of these in the stool.
Help to prevent overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria.
Bifidobacterium
Lactobacillus
E. coli
Pathogenic Bacteria
Salmonella
Shigella
Citrobacter
Klebsiella pneumoniae - associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Staph aureus
Yeast Culture and Sensitivity
Fungal Culture
Fungal Sensitivity
Suggests which antifungal agents are useful in treating the yeast and fungi isolated.
Parasite Testing
Searches for evidence of parasites or their eggs (ova).
Due to the periodic life cycle of parasites, multiple specimens are examined.
Inflammatory Markers
Lysozyme
Elevated levels are associated with inflammatory bowel disease and dysbiosis.
Lactoferrin
Elevated levels are associated with inflammatory bowel disease and dysbiosis.
Fecal calprotectin
Elevated levels are associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
It may also be a better screening test for bowel cancers than looking for blood in the stool
[Myhill2018, pg 98].
White Blood Cells (WBC)
Elevated levels are associated with inflammatory bowel disease and dysbiosis.
Mucus
Elevated levels are associated with inflammatory bowel disease and dysbiosis.
Stool Metabolic Markers
Stool pH
ELISA Immunoassays
Immunoassay reveals evidence of pathogen even when not culturable.
Helicobacter pylori
Cryptosporidium
Campylobacter
Giardia lamblia
Other Tests
Occult Blood
Detects hidden bleeding in the GI tract.
GI bleeding is considered to be due to cancer until proven otherwise.
Secretory Immunoglobulin A (SigA)
Generally beneficial - non-inflammatory defense against pathogens.
May be elevated or depleted in the presence of pathogens or food allergies.
[GP2008]  Great Plains Laboratory, William Shaw, Lori Knowles, Kurt Woeller.
Physician Practitioner Training (Autism) Lecture Notes and Documentation.
Tempe, AZ (8/23/2008 – 8/24/2008). FULL TEXT
[Myhill2018]  Sarah Myhill.
Sustainable Medicine: Whistle-Blowing on 21st-Century Medical Practice.
White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing (2018).
Unless specifically noted above, references used in the construction of this web
page include the following:
[FMU]
Lecture notes from Functional Medicine University.
[SCNM]
Lecture notes from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.
[UT]
Lecture notes from the University of Tennessee graduate programs in
Chemistry, Microbiology, and Biochemistry.