In This Article
In This Article
Our verdict: We recommend Viome, Ombre (Thryve), and Biohm if you want to test for gut imbalances that may be causing symptoms of poor gut health.
Imbalances in your gut bacteria may cause digestive issues, food cravings, low energy levels, recurring skin concerns, weight changes, and other health issues.
These gut testing companies offer personalized health recommendations and probiotic supplements that may help with your symptoms and promote a healthy gut microbiome.
But if you want to check for the possibility of gut problems such as leaky gut, colon cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Wellnicity and Verisana are better options.
Each person has a unique gut environment that affects their health in a different way.
For instance, some people have a higher ratio of Firmicutes, a potentially harmful bacteria, than Bacteroides, a type of good gut bacteria.
People with more Firmicutes in the gut tend to be obese or gain weight more easily. It’s because this bacteria digests carbohydrates and fats more efficiently than Bacteroides.
A gut health test kit allows you to see how your unique microbiome affects your digestion, nutrition, and overall health. It can also provide actionable steps that may help balance your gut flora.
At-home microbiome tests offer varying health insights and recommendations, and some will be more personalized than others. Ultimately, you want to choose a kit that provides the information and solutions you’re looking for.
KnowYourDNA is committed to making healthcare more accessible to the public, which is why we feature testing kits that meet industry standards.
We only choose at-home gut health tests with reliable testing methods and science-backed reports that provide useful insights into your health.
Our in-house medical experts help ensure the accuracy of our information by reviewing them before publication.
Dr. Harshi Dhingra has an M.D. in Pathology.
She is a registered pathologist with over a decade of experience in diagnostic, clinical, research, and teaching work. She manages all aspects of pathology laboratory, including histopathology, cytology, hematology, and clinical pathology.
Currently, Dr. Dhingra works as faculty in a medical school and research center.
| Product | Ease of Sample Collection | Easy to Interpret Results | Detailed Gut Report | Actionable Insight | Personalized Probiotics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viome | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Ombre | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Biohm | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Verisana | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★ | ★ |
| Wellnicity | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
The Gut Intelligence Test can provide comprehensive insights on your gut, such as your gut lining, gut diversity, gut inflammation, metabolism, digestion, and more.
It can identify bacteria and other microorganisms in your gastrointestinal tract, including parasites, viruses, fungi, and yeasts.
You’ll receive over 400+ food recommendations and the option to purchase personalized probiotics and prebiotics that may help improve your gut health.
| Viome Gut Intelligence Quick Facts | |
| Collection Type | Fecal scoop |
| DNA Testing Method | 16S RNA Sequencing |
If you want to gain more insights on your health but don’t want the supplements, you can purchase the Viome Health Intelligence Test. Here’s our Viome review.
Full Body Intelligence is a step-up to Viome’s Gut Intelligence Test, providing insights on both your gut health and overall wellness.
This includes your biological age, energy efficiency, immune and stress response, an assessment of your brain, heart, microbiome, immune system, metabolic, and cellular health.
You’ll also receive food suggestions and the option to purchase Viome’s Prebiotics + Probiotics with personalized supplements based on your results.
| Viome Full Body Intelligence Quick Facts | |
| Collection Type | Fecal scoop + Blood + Saliva |
| DNA Testing Method | 16S RNA Sequencing |
Deal: Use code KYNDA for $110 off.
Ombre’s Gut Health Test (formerly Thryve) analyzes your gut flora to determine how they affect your mood, focus, weight, energy levels, immunity, and mental health.
You’ll receive an overall gut score and learn which types of bacteria you need to work on or keep under control so you can reduce any symptoms of poor gut health.
Ombre will recommend foods that you can eat and avoid for a healthy gut bacteria. It also suggests probiotic supplements that target symptoms caused by an unhealthy gut, such as low energy levels.
| Ombre Gut Test Quick Facts | |
| Collection Type | Fecal swab |
| DNA Testing Method | 16S RNA sequencing |
“Ombre provides food recommendations and probiotic supplements. Both play an important role in your gut microbiome and overall health." Harshi Dhingra, M.D.
Read our Ombre review if you want to learn more.
Sale: $20 off
Biohm is a simple gut testing kit that checks for gut imbalances and provides actionable steps to correct them, including dietary and lifestyle changes, and supplements.
The company has an extensive range of gut health supplements to choose from, such as probiotics, fiber supplements, and colon cleansers just to name a few.
Biohm also offers personalized guidance from a nutritionist if you sign up for the three-month wellness program.
| Biohm Gut Test Quick Facts | |
| Collection Type | Fecal swab |
| DNA Testing Method | 16S RNA Sequencing |
Here’s our Biohm review for more information.
Verisana’s Leaky Gut Test tests for zonulin and immunoglobulin A (IgA) to assess your gut lining health and intestinal permeability.
These biomarkers can help determine if you have a leaky gut syndrome. However, the microbiome kit also checks for candida, mold, and gut imbalances.
| Verisana Lab Quick Facts | |
| Collection Type | Fecal scoop |
| DNA Testing Method | Unknown |
“Verisana is a good option for people with special gut health needs,” says Dr. Dhingra.
Use code "knowyourdna" for 5% OFF
Wellnicity provides unique insights on your microbiome health along with personalized recommendations and free access to a clinical nutritionist.
It tests for several gut-related health problems such as amebiasis, colorectal cancer, gluten intolerance, gut inflammation, gastroenteritis, and giardiasis, among others.
Wellnicity’s gut test is a great option if you’re experiencing digestive issues like diarrhea, flatulence (gas), and stomach pains—but want to narrow down their possible causes.
| Wellnicity Gut Test Quick Facts | |
| Collection Type | Fecal scoop |
| DNA Testing Method | Unknown |
“If you have persistent digestive problems, I'd recommend the Wellnicity Test. You can use it to find out whether or not you need further testing,” says Dr. Dhingra.
We tried several gut microbiome kits that are available on the market. We then compared these tests based on the following criteria:
Gut microbiome testing companies should be transparent about the products they offer along with their prices. They must provide reliable services, delivery times, and customer support.
We also looked at hundreds of online reviews to see what others say about the same tests we’ve tried. This helped us check for consistency and if people trusted them.
The reports that come with your gut microbiome test must be comprehensive and easy to understand. They should provide practical information, such as:
Gut health tests should help you understand why you’re experiencing signs of gut imbalance, digestive problems, and other related conditions.
The best gut health tests provide actionable steps that allow you to:
Gut wellness companies often recommend certain foods and lifestyle changes to help improve your gut. Others may offer supplements that you can take alongside a healthy lifestyle.
This includes preformulated prebiotic and probiotic supplements, personalized probiotics, and other gut health supplements.
We picked gut tests with a convenient private testing process. Sample collection should be simple and sanitary since you’ll be collecting stool samples.
The testing kits and return boxes should come in unidentifiable packaging. This helps protect your privacy throughout the process.
The methods they use to analyze samples must also be reliable. Ideally, they should be partnered with accredited laboratories to ensure the accuracy of your microbiome test results.
Gut health tests usually cost $100 to $300. But it doesn’t mean you’ll get what you pay for.
Some kits can provide useful reports for a lower cost. But there are also higher-priced tests that don’t have much to offer.
When you think about the cost, you have to factor in your budget and what the test has to offer for its price. We selected tests that can give you useful results, so you get the most bang for your buck.
It depends. The gut health tests we’ve featured on our list use accurate testing methods. However, some microbiome tests are more accurate than others.
Gut companies that analyze samples in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) approved laboratories provide better accuracy than those who don’t.1
You may want to look for tests that use 16S RNA sequencing. Research shows this method is "sufficiently accurate" for identifying different strains and species of bacteria in your gut.2
Tests that support their results with the latest microbiome research are also more reliable.
For better accuracy, some doctors recommend taking several tests. You can compare your results to get a more complete picture of your gut health.
The process is slightly different for every test. But it usually involves these steps:
Your gut microbiome helps your body absorb and produce nutrients which you can’t get directly from food, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA).
Ideally, there should be more good bacteria in your digestive tract because they keep potentially harmful bacteria in check.
Having too much bad bacteria can lead to an unhealthy gut. This may cause a range of symptoms on your physical, mental, and emotional health.
Keeping your gut bacteria healthy may prevent these issues and provide numerous health benefits. These include:
Gut health tests can detect imbalances in your microbiome and offer practical tips that may help restore its balance.
You can learn which foods to eat and avoid for a healthy gut and if there are any lifestyle changes or supplements you can take to support your gut bacteria.
