Test Details
Lab Company: Boston Heart Diagnostics
Sample Type: Stool
Collection Location: At Home
The GI Balance test is a comprehensive assessment of your gut microbiome, which refers to the community of microorganisms in your digestive system. Your healthcare provider will use this test to understand the health of your microbiome and to develop a treatment plan to optimize its function.
Key Details
🟢 No special preparation or timing is required.
🧪 This test MUST be run through a stool sample.
📄 The Rupa Health team will email you your test requisition form. You must PRINT, COMPLETE, and SEND BACK the requisition form with your kit.
🚚 Ship your sample within 48 hours of collection, Monday-Friday only.
Preparation & Timing
You can do this test at any time.
There is no special preparation required.
Collection Instructions
PRINT and COMPLETE your test requisition form.
This form was emailed to you from the Rupa Health team.
You can also find it in your Rupa Health patient portal.
Write the following information on the provided label. Unlabeled samples will not be analyzed by the lab.
Patient's full name
Patient's date of birth
Place the label on the specimen tube.
If possible, urinate before collecting stool.
Open the Feces Catcher following the directions on the package.
Adhere the Feces Catcher to the toilet seat.
The Feces Catcher will go around/over the toilet seat.
Ensure the Feces Catcher does not touch the water.
Tip: It may be helpful to put plastic wrap loosely over the toilet before placing the Feces Catcher on the toilet seat. This will help prevent the Catcher or your stool from getting in the water.
Collect your stool in the Feces Catcher.
Set the specimen tube upright.
Open the specimen tube.
DO NOT discard the liquid preservative in the specimen tube.
Using the spoon attached to the cap of the vial, scoop 1 spoonful of stool into the tube.
Close the specimen tube tightly.
Invert the tube 10 times to mix the specimen with the preservative.
Place the capped specimen vial into the specimen bag along with the absorbent pad.
Seal the specimen bag.
Loosen the Feces Catcher on both ends.
Press the ends of the Feces Catcher together.
Drop the Feces Catcher in the toilet.
Once the paper is soft, flush the Feces Catcher and the remaining stool.
Requisition & Payment
Your kit has been prepaid. You DO NOT need to pay anything extra.
YOUR REQUISITION FORM CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR RUPA PATIENT PORTAL. RUPA HEALTH WILL ALSO EMAIL IT TO YOU.
Please print out this form, complete it, and send it back with your samples.
You must complete your requisition form and send it back with your samples.
Since you pre-paid for your tests, you do not need to fill in the payment information on this form.
Shipping
Ship your sample within 48 hours of collection, Monday - Friday only.
To ensure your sample remains stable, it is recommended to ship the day you collect.
To prepare your sample for shipping,
Place the specimen tube into the biohazard bag.
Place the biohazard bag into the collection kit box.
Place the collection kit box into the provided shipping mailer.
Seal the shipping mailer.
Place the provided FedEx return label on the mailer
Ship your sample via FedEx.
Take your sample to the nearest FedEx shipping location.
DO NOT place your sample in a FedEx drop box.
Make a note of your tracking number on the return mailer so that you can track your sample back to the lab.
Results
Results should be released to your provider 10-14 business days after samples are received at the lab. Rupa Health cannot guarantee processing time.
More Resources
Questions?
Reach out to Rupa Health via the chat in your patient portal.