Consider the Digestive Health Panel if you:

• Experience persistent digestive discomfort, such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, or changes in bowel habits (e.g., frequent diarrhea or constipation).
• Have noticed unexplained fatigue, weakness, or other symptoms that might suggest anemia or nutrient deficiencies.
• Are concerned about potential gastrointestinal bleeding, even if not visibly apparent.
• Have a family history of, or suspect you might have, gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
• Wish to gain a comprehensive understanding of your digestive system's function and overall metabolic health, even without specific symptoms, as a proactive wellness measure.

This comprehensive panel is highly beneficial for:

• Individuals experiencing ongoing digestive issues: Those with symptoms like chronic bloating, gas, abdominal pain, or irregular bowel movements can gain valuable insights into the underlying causes.
• Those with family history of GI conditions: If celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or other digestive disorders run in your family, this panel can serve as a proactive screening tool.
• Anyone concerned about nutrient deficiencies: Symptoms of fatigue, weakness, or poor energy can be linked to inadequate nutrient absorption, which this panel helps identify by evaluating iron, B12, folate, and Vitamin D levels.
• Individuals seeking general wellness and preventative health: Understanding your digestive and metabolic health is foundational to overall well-being, allowing for early detection and lifestyle adjustments.
• Those undergoing dietary changes: Especially if transitioning to a gluten-free diet or investigating food sensitivities, this test can provide baseline information and track progress.

The Digestive Health Panel is commonly used as a diagnostic aid for a range of conditions impacting the gastrointestinal tract and related systemic health, including:

• Pancreatitis: Both acute and chronic forms, indicated by elevated Amylase and Lipase levels, which are crucial for evaluating pancreatic inflammation and damage.
• Anemias and Iron Disorders: Comprehensive assessment for iron deficiency anemia, iron overload (hemochromatosis), and other anemias (e.g., megaloblastic anemia due to B12/Folate deficiency) through evaluation of Ferritin, Iron, TIBC, Transferrin, and the Complete Blood Count (CBC).
• Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Detection of occult blood in stool via immunoassay, signaling potential bleeding from conditions such as ulcers, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or colorectal cancer.
• Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity: Identification of antibodies (Tissue Transglutaminase IgA) indicative of gluten-sensitive enteropathy, guiding further diagnostic steps.
• General Metabolic and Organ Dysfunction: The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) offers insights into kidney and liver health, electrolyte balance, and glucose regulation, which can be affected by chronic digestive issues or impact overall well-being.
• Inflammatory Conditions: High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (CRP) helps identify systemic inflammation, which can be associated with inflammatory bowel diseases or other gastrointestinal pathologies.
• Nutrient Deficiencies: Evaluation of key vitamins like B12, Folate, and Vitamin D, which are critical for various bodily functions and often become deficient due to malabsorption in digestive disorders.

This Digestive Health Panel provides valuable insights into various aspects of your health. However, it is important to remember that this test is a screening tool and should not replace a professional medical consultation or diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider to interpret findings in the context of your individual health history and to determine the most appropriate course of action or further diagnostic steps.