Test Details
Lab Company: Genova Diagnostics
Sample Type: Stool
Collection Location: At Home
The GI Effects® Microbial Ecology Profile assesses the health of the gut microbiome.
Key Details
Collection can be done at any time during the day.
Wait at least 4 weeks from your last colonoscopy or barium enema.
Certain medications and supplements should be avoided prior to the test (see below for details).
Avoid collecting samples when you are menstruating or have actively bleeding hemorrhoids.
Samples must be shipped within 24 hours of the final collection.
Rupa Health recommends shipping Monday - Thursday only to avoid shipment delays.
Preparation & Timing
Collection can be done at any time during the day.
Wait at least 4 weeks from your last colonoscopy or barium enema.
If you have the H. pylori add-on test, avoid these medications for 2 weeks prior to sample collection.
Proton pump inhibitors
Bismuth
Avoid the following medications for 2-4 weeks prior to sample collection.
Antibiotics
Antiparasitics
Antifungals
Probiotic supplements
DO NOT discontinue prescription medications without consulting your healthcare provider.
Avoid the following medications for 2 days prior to sample collection.
Aspirin and other NSAIDs (like ibuprofen)
Rectal suppositories
Enemas
Activated charcoal
Bismuth
Betaine HCL
Digestive enzymes
Antacids
Laxative
Mineral oil
Castor oil
Bentonite clay
DO NOT discontinue prescription medications without consulting your healthcare provider.
Avoid collecting samples during menstruation.
Avoid collecting samples when you have actively bleeding hemorrhoids.
Collection Instructions
You will collect for 3 days (ideally, 3 days in a row).
Day 1 (Materials found in the Day 1 bag)
Write the following information on each provided label.
Patient's date of birth
Date of collection
Attach one label to each sample tube.
Urinate prior to collection.
Put on the glove.
Collect your stool sample using the included collection container.
DO NOT contaminate the sample with urine or water from the toilet.
Tip: It may help to put plastic wrap over the toilet seat, then place the collection container on the plastic wrap.
Remove the cap from the GREEN-top tube carefully.
DO NOT touch or dispose of the liquid in the tube.
Transfer the stool sample into the tube using the built-in scoop until you reach the FILL LINE.
Collect from different areas of the sample.
If a worm is seen, go to step 11.
Note: If the sample tube is not full enough, you may need to recollect.
Mix the sample with the liquid in the tube until it is as smooth as possible.
Screw the cap on tightly.
Shake the tube for 30 seconds.
NOTE: If a worm is seen, do not place it in the tube with stool.
Place the worm in one of these places without any additional stool.
A clean glass jar with rubbing alcohol
Write "WORM" on the tube or jar.
Place the tube and any worms into the biohazard bag and refrigerate.
Refrigerate the samples until ready to ship.
DO NOT freeze the samples.
Dispose of the remaining stool in the toilet.
Put the collection container and the glove into the garbage.
Day 2 (Materials found in the Day 2 bag)
Write the following information on each provided label.
Patient's date of birth
Date of collection
Attach one label to each sample tube.
Urinate prior to collection.
Put on the glove.
Collect your stool sample using the included collection container.
DO NOT contaminate the sample with urine or water from the toilet.
Tip: It may help to put plastic wrap over the toilet seat, then place the collection container on the plastic wrap.
Remove the cap from the GREEN-top tube carefully.
DO NOT touch or dispose of the liquid in the tube.
Transfer the stool sample into the tube using the built-in scoop until you reach the FILL LINE.
Collect from different areas of the sample.
If you see a worm, go to step 11.
Note: If the sample tube is not full enough, you may need to recollect.
Mix the sample with the liquid in the tube until it is as smooth as possible.
Screw the cap on tightly.
Shake the tube for 30 seconds.
NOTE: If a worm is seen, do not place it in the tube with stool.
Place the worm in one of these places without any additional stool.
A clean glass jar with rubbing alcohol
Write "WORM" on the tube or jar.
Place the tube and any worms into the biohazard bag and refrigerate.
Refrigerate the samples until ready to ship.
DO NOT freeze the samples.
Dispose of the remaining stool in the toilet.
Put the collection container and the glove into the garbage.
Day 3 (Materials found in the Day 3 bag)
Write the following information on each provided label.
Patient's date of birth
Date of collection
Attach one label to each sample tube.
Urinate prior to collection.
Put on the glove.
Collect your stool sample using the included collection container.
DO NOT contaminate the sample with urine or water from the toilet.
Tip: It may help to put plastic wrap over the toilet seat, then place the collection container on the plastic wrap.
Remove the cap from the GREEN-top tube carefully.
DO NOT touch or dispose of the liquid in the tube.
Transfer the stool sample into the tube using the built-in scoop until you reach the FILL LINE.
Collect from different areas of the sample.
If you see a worm, go to step 11.
Note: If the sample tube is not full enough, you may need to recollect.
Mix the sample with the liquid in the tube until it is as smooth as possible.
Screw the cap on tightly.
Shake the tube for 30 seconds.
NOTE: If a worm is seen, do not place it in the tube with stool.
Place the worm in one of these places without any additional stool.
A clean glass jar with rubbing alcohol
Write "WORM" on the tube or jar.
Place the tube and any worms into the biohazard bag.
Repeat steps 6-12 with the other 3 tubes.
ORANGE-top tube
PINK-top tube
CLEAR-top tube
The clear-top tube does not have a liquid in it.
Peel open the swab package.
Remove the tube and place it upright.
The swab should remain in the sleeve until you are ready to collect the sample.
Grasp the swab above the middle notch (opposite end from the applicator tip).
Insert the rounded applicator tip of the swab into the stool sample and rotate it.
Confirm that the swab is evenly coated with stool. If not, repeat step 17.
DO NOT "spoon" the specimen with the swab.
Open the swab collection tube and insert the swab.
Mash and mix the rounded nylon end of the swab with stool on it against the side of the tube.
Break the swab off at the break point, leaving the swab end in the tube.
Place the screw cap on the tube and tighten.
Place the swab collection tube into the biohazard bag.
Refrigerate all of the samples until ready to ship.
DO NOT freeze the samples.
Dispose of the remaining stool in the toilet.
Put the collection container and the glove into the garbage.
Complete the test registration (instructions HERE).
Please ensure that the name on the registration matches the name on your Rupa order EXACTLY. If it does not match, you may need to recollect your samples.
Requisition & Payment
Your kit has been prepaid. You DO NOT need to pay anything extra.
Instructions on how to complete your test registration can be found HERE.
Since you pre-paid for your tests, you do not need to fill in the payment information on any of these forms.
Shipping
Ship samples to the lab within 24 hours of the final collection.
Rupa Health recommends shipping Monday - Thursday only to avoid shipment delays.
To prepare your samples for shipping,
Place the biohazard bags with the sample tubes and any worms into the outer collection box.
Place the collection box into the FedEx Clinical Pak mailer.
Place the completed activation card into the FedEx Clinical Pak mailer.
Make a note of the tracking number so that you can track your samples back to the lab.
Ship your samples via FedEx.
You can take your samples to the nearest FedEx location.
DO NOT place your samples in a drop box.
You can also schedule a pickup by calling FedEx at 1-800-463-3339 or visiting www.fedex.com.
Results
Results should be released to your provider 7-10 days after samples are received at the lab. We cannot guarantee processing time.
Your provider will notify you when your results are in and schedule a follow-up appointment for you to review them together.
More Resources
Test Information
Other Information
Collection Instructions
Questions?
For general questions, email Rupa Health at support@rupahealth.com. For test-specific questions, contact Genova Diagnostics by calling 1-800-522-4762 or chatting with support.