This marker is usually part of a test called IBD Expanded Panel (IBD = Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and aids in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and the differential diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC); it is also a prognostic aid for clinical management of patients with CD.

The Gastrin test is a simple blood test that checks for excess gastrin production. Gastrin is a hormone your stomach makes to fuel the release of gastric acid. Your body needs this to digest and absorb nutrients in your food, particularly proteins and amino acids. 

Gastric acid is found inside cells called G cells. These are located in your stomach lining and the lining of your upper small intestine.

This fungus has garnered scientific interest due to its presence in the human microbiome and its widespread occurrence in the environment. It plays a role in various biological processes and can have both positive and negative effects on human health, depending on its context and interaction with the host.

The Geotrichum species marker on a gastrointestinal (GI) panel is indicative of the presence and relative abundance of Geotrichum, a genus of fungi, in the gut microbiome. Geotrichum species are commonly found in soil, water, air, and various food products; they are also a part of the normal flora of the skin, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal tract in humans. In a balanced gut microbiome, the presence of Geotrichum species is typically harmless and may even play a role in the complex ecosystem of the gut. However, an overgrowth or significant presence indicated by a GI panel can have clinical implications.

May cause disease in immunosuppressed patients. Low levels may be a dietary artefact; certain strains are used to make soft cheeses.

The relationship between the levels of Germanium in hair and other tissues has not been established and there is currently no published documentation linking elevated hair Germanium levels to Germanium toxicity. However, recent observations indicate that hair Germanium levels are increased by supplementation/therapeutic use of Germanium compounds.

Giardia infection (giardiasis) is one of the most common causes of waterborne disease in the United States.

Giardia infection (giardiasis) is one of the most common causes of waterborne disease in the United States.

G. duodenalis, a single celled protozoa, is the most frequent cause of non-bacterial diarrhea in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates as many as 2.5 million cases of Giardia infection occur annually in the U.S. Symptomatic individuals may experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dehydration, malabsorption, loss of appetite, anemia, and weight loss 1-2 weeks following the ingestion of cysts. Typically symptoms will last 1-2 weeks and infections are self-limiting. Most individuals will be completely asymptomatic. Prevalence of giardiasis in adults has been estimated to be 4-7%. Higher prevalence rates have been reported in children.