menu iconknow your dna logosearch icon
The 5 Best At-Home Leaky Gut Tests of 2023
Updated on November 20, 2023
Back to top
back to top icon
Microbiome
The 5 Best At-Home Leaky Gut Tests of 2023

Your gut is home to trillions of both harmful and beneficial bacteria, collectively known as the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome benefits the body in many ways, including strengthening and protecting your gut lining.

Your gut lining acts as a highly selective barrier. It prevents pathogens and other harmful agents from leaking into your bloodstream.1

When your gut lining gets damaged, you may develop what some experts believe to be a leaky gut. A leaky gut doesn’t function properly as a barrier.

It’s also highly permeable, allowing foreign particles like bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream.2

Some health experts believe it triggers conditions like autoimmune diseases and allergies.3 They also believe a gut microbiome imbalance causes leaky gut syndrome.

Several at-home tests can help check your gut health.  These tests can help assess if you have a leaky gut as well.

Summary

At-home leaky gut tests can help assess if you have a leaky gut or a damaged gut lining.

A gut microbiome imbalance is believed to cause leaky gut syndrome. Some health experts link leaky gut syndrome to autoimmune diseases and allergies.

The 5 Best At-Home Leaky Gut Tests of 2023 8

Everything We Recommend

Top 5 Leaky Gut Syndrome Test Kits

1. Viome Gut Intelligence Test

The 5 Best At-Home Leaky Gut Tests of 2023 9

Pros

  • Simple stool sample collection method 
  • Easy-to-follow instructions
  • Provides insights into how your diet, lifestyle, and gut bacteria affect your digestive health
  • Offers customized dietary supplements that are targeted to your unique needs

Cons

  • Basic gut test only includes 20+ health scores
  • Not available in New York

Why We Recommend It

Viome’s At-Home Gut Microbiome Test offers accurate gut analysis. It provides information about the health of your microbiome and gut lining.

It uses artificial intelligence and state-of-the-art metatranscriptomic technology to analyze the yeasts, fungi, viruses, molds, and bacteria in your gut.

2. Viome Full Body Intelligence Test

The 5 Best At-Home Leaky Gut Tests of 2023 10

Pros

  • Viome's most complete gut test with 50+ health scores
  • Collects multiple samples for more accurate test results
  • Tells how your diet, lifestyle, and gut bacteria affect your digestion
  • Offers personalized dietary supplements for your specific needs

Cons

  • Not available in New York
  • May be a bit pricier

Why We Recommend It

Viome's Full Body Intelligence is their most comprehensive test yet. Unlike their basic gut test, it requires three samples for analysis—stool, blood, and saliva.

Based on your report, you still get the same personalized food recommendations and supplement suggestions from Viome's health experts.

But besides testing your gut bacteria and digestion, it also checks for different health markers, like:

  • Immunity
  • Heart health
  • Mental health
  • Biological age
  • Oral health

Use code for 15% off on the first three months if you subscribe.

Deal: Use code KYNDA for $110 off. 

3. Ombre (formerly Thryve)

The 5 Best At-Home Leaky Gut Tests of 2023 11

Pros

  • Targets both good and bad bacteria in the gut to determine the root cause of symptoms
  • Cheaper than other brands
  • Easy-to-understand digital report
  • Detailed explanations of the test results and their significance
  • You can access your results, health report, and personalized food plan via an app

Cons

  • No chat feature in their customer service
  • Currently don’t offer medical support after you get your test results
  • Can’t confirm a leaky gut

Why We Recommend It

Ombre’s Gut Health Test is an excellent choice for budget-conscious people who want value for their money.

It provides one of the most accurate and comprehensive results on the gut microbiome.

The test analyzes bacterial activity and its effects on gut health. Ombre tops the list when it comes to patient privacy. It provides personalized recommendations based on test results.

Sale: $20 off

4. Verisana Leaky Gut Test

The 5 Best At-Home Leaky Gut Tests of 2023 12

Pros

  • Specific to leaky gut but also covers other important aspects of the gut microbiome
  • Instructions are easy to follow
  • Laboratory report and scientific analysis of the report are sent via email

Cons 

  • Doesn’t offer therapy or an improvement plan after you get your results

Why We Recommend It

Verisana’s Leaky Gut Complete test kit is specially made to test for leaky gut syndrome.

It is considered a comprehensive stool analysis tool. It tests for numerous factors that affect the health of the gut microbiome.

Using a stool sample, the testing kit checks for intestinal permeability. It also analyzes gut flora and detects the presence of IgA and Zonulin.

Plus, it tests for Candida albicans and helps determine the overall health of the gut flora.

Use code "knowyourdna" for 5% OFF

5. Thorne’s Gut Microbiome Test

The 5 Best At-Home Leaky Gut Tests of 2023 13

Pros

  • Measures intestinal permeability, gut dysbiosis, inflammatory levels, microbiome imbalances, gut flora diversity, pathogen presence, and so on
  • Comes with an easy-to-navigate dashboard showing detailed descriptions of the results
  • Has customized recommendations for lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and supplement needs based on your unique results

Cons

  • Not as established as other brands

Why We Recommend It

Thorne’s Gut Microbiome Test provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the gut flora.

It has a personalized plan to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort and optimize overall health and wellness.

The test makes use of state-of-the-art sequencing technology. It is recommended for people experiencing symptoms such as: 

  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive gas
  • Nausea
  • Heartburn

Best Leaky Gut Test Kits At A Glance

Viome Gut Intelligence TestViome Full Body Intelligence TestOmbre’s Gut Health Test (Formerly Thryve)Verisana Leaky Gut CompleteThorne’s Gut Microbiome Test
Cost$249$399$99.99$249.95$198
Type of sample usedStoolSaliva
Blood
Stool
StoolStoolStool
Results TimeWithin 2 to 3 weeksWithin 2 to 3 weeksWithin 2 to 4 weeksAround 3 weeksWithin 5 to 6 weeks
WebsiteViome.comViome.comOmbrelab.comVerisana.comThorne.com

What are Dysbiosis and Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Dysbiosis is an imbalance in the bacterial colonies living in the human gut. The imbalance caused by harmful bacteria overgrowth triggers an inflammatory process.4

It irritates the intestinal lining, where nutrient absorption takes place. As a result, the lining and the tight junctions of the intestines become hyper-permeable.

Increased intestinal permeability allows microscopic particles to enter the bloodstream. These include bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles.

These foreign objects should not be in the bloodstream. The immune system attacks foreign particles entering the bloodstream to protect from “foreign invasion.”

When this happens, signs and symptoms of systemic inflammation are produced anywhere in the body. This explains why some symptoms of the leaky gut syndrome are not digestive in nature.

Summary

Dysbiosis is an imbalance in gut bacteria that triggers inflammation and hyper-permeability of the gut lining. It can cause a leaky gut, allowing foreign objects to enter the bloodstream.

What Are The Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome?

The signs and symptoms of leaky gut syndrome may indicate digestive conditions. 

These include inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The most common symptoms are gastrointestinal tract-related, like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

Aside from digestive symptoms, here are other tell-tale signs that you may have a leaky gut:

  • Anxiety
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Brain fog
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Depression
  • Difficulty in concentrating
  • Food allergies, food intolerances, and food sensitivities
  • Headache
  • Irregular periods
  • Joint pain
  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Skin disorders such as acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis
  • Autoimmune disorders like Celiac disease, Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis

Summary

Leaky gut syndrome can manifest as digestive conditions like IBD and IBS. It can also have other symptoms like anxiety, allergies, asthma, brain fog, chronic fatigue, and joint pain. Autoimmune disorders like Celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis may also indicate a leaky gut.

Can Stool Tests Detect Leaky Gut?

Yes. Most leaky gut syndrome test kits use a stool sample to detect leaky gut. It’s the most common method of intestinal permeability tests.

Another option is a Zonulin test. It uses blood or stool to assess leaky gut or intestinal barrier function.5

Other tests, like the lactulose mannitol test, use a urine sample to assess gut damage.

Lactulose and mannitol are sugar molecules, and their presence is tested in urine. Lactulose normally represents gut damage, while mannitol measures small intestine function.

What Foods Should You Avoid if You Have Leaky Gut Syndrome?

A healthy diet is one of the many ways to ensure gut health.

A poor diet will always result in poor gut health, depriving the body of essential nutrients. An unhealthy diet will lead to nutritional deficiency, which could lead to health problems.

The 5 Best At-Home Leaky Gut Tests of 2023 14

Dietary factors play a huge part in gut health. Here are some foods you should avoid if you have leaky gut syndrome:

Alcohol

Like sugar, alcohol causes an imbalance in the gut. Research studies have shown that drinking in moderation may have health benefits, but excessive alcohol intake is never good.

Dairy Products

Avoid consuming ice cream, cheese, and milk, especially in high amounts.

Gluten

People with the leaky gut syndrome often experience gluten sensitivity. Doctors recommend a gluten-free diet by avoiding:

  • Barley
  • Bulgur
  • Oats
  • Rye
  • Seitan
  • Triticale

High-fiber foods would make great substitutes. Choose those rich in soluble fiber, like apples, citrus fruits, peas, potatoes, and strawberries.

Processed Meat

Avoid processed meats like bacon, cold cuts, deli meats, hotdogs, and so on.

Sugar

Excessive sugar intake can alter the normal balance in the gut microbiome.6 Avoid sugar-rich foods like cakes, cookies, sugary cereals, and candy bars. 

You should cut down on foods with artificial sweeteners.

Use the elimination diet. It'll help you pin down your allergies to a specific food if you think you have a food allergy.

Do this until you figure out the cause of your allergy. Avoid trigger foods at all costs and look for healthier, safer alternatives.

Aside from avoiding unhealthy food and having a well-balanced diet, probiotic supplements could also help boost your gut health.

How We Picked the Best

Our dedicated team, together with our in-house health expert Dr. Rizza Mira, created criteria for choosing the best gut test for a leaky gut. 

We ensure that our top picks meet the following:

  1. Comprehensive reporting – We choose companies that provide easy-to-understand test results. The availability of the report is also essential. 
  2. Depth of Analysis – We checked for companies that offer analyses for different scores in your gut microbiome.
  3. Privacy and Security – We value companies that prioritize their customers’ privacy. We look for brands with a strong privacy policy.

Why Trust Us 

KnowYourDNA is committed to making healthcare more accessible to the public, so we feature products that meet industry standards.

We only choose at-home kits with reliable testing methods and science-backed reports to improve your health.

Our in-house medical experts help ensure the accuracy of the information we give our readers by reviewing it before publication.

Updated on November 20, 2023
Angela Natividad
Angela Natividad
Content Contributor
Angela is a full-time digital content manager and editor for Know Your DNA. She also contributes freelance articles to several local and international websites when she has the time. She's always been a voracious believer in finding the truth and ensuring the science is sound.
Back to top icon