Escherichia species
Escherichia species, prominently Escherichia coli (E. coli), are a significant aspect of gastrointestinal (GI) test results due to their diverse roles within the human gut and potential implications for health. E. coli is a common and typically harmless resident of the human intestinal tract, playing a crucial role in maintaining the gut's microbial balance. However, certain strains of E. coli can be pathogenic, leading to various gastrointestinal and extraintestinal diseases. When a GI test indicates elevated or abnormal levels of E. coli, it may signal an infection or a disruption in the gut microbiome's equilibrium.
The pathogenic strains of E. coli, such as Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), and others, are particularly noteworthy. These strains can cause symptoms ranging from mild diarrhea to severe abdominal cramps, bloody stools, and even life-threatening conditions like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The presence of such pathogenic strains is often linked to contaminated food or water and can lead to outbreaks of foodborne illness. Additionally, certain non-pathogenic strains of E. coli can become opportunistic pathogens, especially in individuals with compromised immune systems, leading to infections outside the GI tract, such as urinary tract infections and sepsis.
In a GI test, the detection of E. coli is not inherently alarming as it is a standard component of the gut flora. However, the context, such as the strain of E. coli and the patient's symptoms and medical history, is crucial for interpretation. For instance, the presence of toxin-producing E. coli strains would be a significant concern, necessitating further investigation and possibly targeted treatment. Treatment for E. coli infections varies based on the strain and severity of the infection. While some cases may resolve without intervention, others require hydration, electrolyte management, and in some cases, antibiotics. It's important to note that the use of antibiotics in E. coli infections is carefully considered, as certain strains may be resistant, and inappropriate antibiotic use can exacerbate the condition.
Overall, Escherichia species in a GI test represent a complex interplay between normal gut colonization and potential pathogenicity, requiring careful clinical assessment to determine their significance in each individual case.
What does it mean if your Escherichia species result is too high?
Elevated levels of Escherichia species, particularly certain strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli), detected in a gastrointestinal (GI) test can be a cause for clinical concern, as they may indicate an infection or imbalance in the gut microbiome. The increase in these bacteria is often attributed to various factors, including ingestion of contaminated food or water, leading to foodborne illnesses, or an imbalance in the intestinal flora, possibly due to antibiotic use or other disruptions in the gut ecosystem. Certain pathogenic strains of E. coli, such as Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), are especially concerning, as they can produce toxins that lead to severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
The symptoms associated with elevated levels of pathogenic E. coli in the GI tract can range from mild to severe and typically include diarrhea (which can be bloody in the case of EHEC infection), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and in some cases, fever. More severe infections, such as those caused by EHEC, can lead to complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition characterized by kidney failure and anemia.
Treatment for elevated E. coli levels varies based on the strain and severity of the symptoms. In many cases, especially with mild infections, supportive care that includes hydration and rest is sufficient, as the body often clears the infection on its own. However, for more severe infections, medical intervention is necessary. It's important to note that the use of antibiotics in treating E. coli infections is controversial, as they can sometimes worsen the condition, especially in EHEC infections. Antibiotics are generally reserved for certain types of E. coli infections and are administered based on specific strain identification and susceptibility testing. In the case of HUS or other complications, hospitalization and intensive care, including kidney dialysis, may be required.
Preventative measures are also crucial, such as practicing good hygiene, ensuring safe food handling practices, and avoiding known sources of contamination. Regular monitoring and follow-up tests can help in assessing the effectiveness of the treatment and ensuring complete resolution of the infection. As with any medical condition, consultation with healthcare professionals is essential for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results Easily
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results
Import lab results from multiple providers, track changes over time, customize your reference ranges, and get clear explanations for each result. Everything is stored securely, exportable in one organized file, and shareable with your doctor—or anyone you choose.
Cancel or upgrade anytime
Laboratories
Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place
We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.
Pricing Table
Gather Your Lab History — and Finally Make Sense of It
Finally, Your Lab Results Organized and Clear
Personal plans
$79/ year
Advanced Plan
Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 5 reports entered for you
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
$250/ once
Unlimited Account
Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 10 reports entered for you
- No subscriptions. No extra fees.
$45/ month
Pro Monthly
Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track lab results for multiple clients
- Customize reference ranges per client
- Export lab histories and reports
- Begin with first report entered by us
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
About membership
What's included in a Healthmatters membership
Import Lab Results from Any Source
See Your Health Timeline
Understand What Your Results Mean
Visualize Your Results
Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Securely Share With Anyone You Trust
Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story
Once your results are in one place, see the bigger picture — track trends over time, compare data side by side, export your full history, and share securely with anyone you trust.
Bring all your results together to compare, track progress, export your history, and share securely.
What Healthmatters Members Are Saying
Frequently asked questions
Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.
- Individuals who want to track and understand their health over time.
- Health professionals, such as doctors, nutritionists, and wellness coaches, need to manage and interpret lab data for their clients.
With a Healthmatters account, you can:
- Upload lab reports from any lab
- View your data in interactive graphs, tables, and timelines
- Track trends and monitor changes over time
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export and share your full lab history
- Access your results anytime, from any device
Professionals can also analyze client data more efficiently and save time managing lab reports.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 10000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
- The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
- GI-MAP,
- The NutrEval FMV®,
- The ION Profile,
- Amino Acids Profile,
- Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
- Organic Acids Test,
- Organix Comprehensive Profile,
- Toxic Metals,
- Complete Blood Count (CBC),
- Metabolic panel,
- Thyroid panel,
- Lipid Panel,
- Urinalysis,
- And many, many more.
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.