Why a GI Map Test Could Be the Missing Piece in Your Health Journey

Written By Abigail Gibson

You've tried cutting out gluten. You've taken probiotics. You've eliminated dairy, reduced stress, and drank more water than you ever thought possible. Yet something still feels off. The bloating won't quit. The fatigue lingers. Your skin flares up without warning. Your mood crashes for no obvious reason.

If this sounds familiar, you're not imagining it — and you're not alone. What you may be missing isn't another elimination diet or another supplement. What you may be missing is real data about what's actually happening inside your gut.

That's exactly what a GI Map test provides. At Elivate Wellness in Shepherdsville, KY, we use the GI Map as one of our most powerful functional medicine tools — because it takes the guesswork completely out of gut health. Here's everything you need to know.

What Is a GI Map Test?

The GI Map (Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus) is a comprehensive stool analysis that uses DNA-based technology to identify exactly what's living in your digestive system. Unlike traditional stool tests, which can miss a significant portion of what's actually present, the GI Map uses quantitative PCR technology to detect pathogens, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and inflammatory markers with remarkable precision.

In plain terms: it gives you a detailed map of your gut environment — what's thriving, what's missing, what shouldn't be there at all, and how your gut is functioning overall. No guessing. No assumptions. Just clear, actionable data.

The test itself is simple and non-invasive. You collect a small stool sample at home using a collection kit and send it to the lab. Once your results are back, Allison at Elivate Wellness will sit down with you to walk through exactly what everything means — and build a personalized plan based on your findings.

What Does the GI Map Actually Test For?

The GI Map is one of the most comprehensive gut panels available in functional medicine. A single test can identify:

GI Map Testing Covers:

  • Bacterial pathogens — including H. pylori, E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter that can cause chronic digestive distress even at low levels
  • Parasites — including Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Entamoeba histolytica, which are more common than most people realize and frequently go undetected
  • Viruses — such as norovirus and adenovirus contributing to ongoing GI symptoms
  • Opportunistic bacteria — organisms fine in small amounts but problematic when they overgrow, such as Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Staph aureus
  • Normal bacterial balance — measuring beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium critical for immune function and mood
  • Fungi and yeast — including Candida species driving sugar cravings, brain fog, skin issues, and recurring infections
  • Intestinal health markers — secretory IgA (immune function), anti-gliadin antibodies (gluten sensitivity), elastase (pancreatic function), and calprotectin (inflammation)
  • Leaky gut markers — beta-glucuronidase and other indicators of compromised intestinal barrier function

Why Does Gut Health Affect So Much More Than Digestion?

This is one of the most important things to understand about functional medicine — your gut doesn't just digest food. It's the command center for a remarkable number of body systems that most people never connect to their digestive health.

Consider this: roughly 70% of your immune system lives in your gut. Your gut produces over 90% of your body's serotonin — the neurotransmitter most associated with mood, sleep, and emotional regulation. The gut and brain communicate directly via the vagus nerve, which is why gut imbalances so often show up as anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating.

When your gut is out of balance — whether from dysbiosis (bacterial imbalance), overgrowth of harmful organisms, inflammation, or a compromised gut lining — the effects ripple through your entire body. That's why so many of our patients at Elivate Wellness are surprised to find that their fatigue, skin issues, hormonal imbalances, and even their mood have roots in their gut health.

Common Symptoms That May Point to a Gut Imbalance:

Symptoms That May Indicate a Need for GI Map Testing:

  • Chronic bloating, gas, or abdominal discomfort
  • Constipation, diarrhea, or alternating between both (often misdiagnosed as IBS)
  • Unexplained fatigue or low energy even after adequate sleep
  • Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or memory issues
  • Skin conditions including acne, eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis
  • Food sensitivities that seem to multiply over time
  • Frequent illness or a sense that your immune system is always working overtime
  • Anxiety, depression, or mood instability without a clear psychological cause
  • Hormonal imbalances, including irregular cycles or worsening PMS
  • Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise
  • Sugar cravings that feel uncontrollable
  • Recurring yeast infections or UTIs
  • Joint pain or systemic inflammation without a clear autoimmune diagnosis
  • Nutrient deficiencies despite eating a balanced diet

GI Map vs. Standard Digestive Testing — What's the Difference?

If you've already had digestive testing through a conventional doctor — a colonoscopy, a standard stool culture, or basic bloodwork — you may be wondering how the GI Map is different. The distinction matters.

Standard stool cultures test for a limited panel of known pathogens using a method that misses anywhere from 50–80% of the organisms actually present in your sample. A colonoscopy evaluates the structure of your colon, not the microbial environment within it. Basic bloodwork can flag systemic inflammation but can't tell you what's driving it at the gut level.

The GI Map uses quantitative PCR technology — the same DNA-based detection used in advanced medical research — to identify and measure organisms directly from their genetic material. It detects things standard testing simply can't, and provides specific quantities of each organism rather than just a positive/negative result. That detail is what allows Allison to build a genuinely targeted protocol for you.

How the Process Works at Elivate Wellness

We want to make sure you feel supported every step of the way — and that means having the right context before your GI Map results come in. Here's how the process works:

  • Step 1 — Initial Consultation with Olivia: Your journey starts with a lab bloodwork consultation with Olivia. This gives our team a complete picture of your overall health, hormone levels, and any systemic patterns that may be contributing to your symptoms.
  • Step 2 — GI Map Testing: After your initial consultation and bloodwork, you'll complete your GI Map test at home using a simple collection kit, which is then sent directly to the lab.
  • Step 3 — Results Review with Allison: Once your GI Map results are in, Allison will walk you through every finding in clear, accessible language — what's present, what's missing, what it means, and exactly what we're going to do about it.
  • Step 4 — Your Personalized Protocol: Based on your bloodwork and GI Map findings, our team builds a personalized plan — targeted supplements, dietary guidance, and lifestyle recommendations specific to what your body actually needs.

This two-provider approach means you're never looking at your gut in isolation. Olivia and Allison work together to ensure your gut health picture is viewed in the context of your whole-body health — which is exactly how functional medicine is meant to work.

Want to learn more about how Elivate Wellness approaches gut health and functional medicine testing? Visit our Gut Health page for a full overview of our approach to digestive wellness.

Learn More About Gut Health at Elivate Wellness →

Who Should Consider a GI Map Test?

Almost anyone dealing with chronic, unexplained symptoms can benefit from GI Map testing — you don't need to have obvious digestive complaints to have a gut imbalance driving your symptoms.

We particularly recommend exploring GI Map testing if you've been told your labs are "normal" but you still don't feel well, if you've been diagnosed with IBS, SIBO, Crohn's, or another digestive condition and want a more complete picture, if you're struggling with hormonal imbalances that haven't fully responded to treatment, if you have a history of antibiotic use (which can significantly disrupt gut flora), or if you simply want a proactive, data-driven approach to your health.

At Elivate Wellness, we serve patients from Shepherdsville, Louisville, Bardstown, Elizabethtown, and communities across Kentucky who are ready to stop guessing and start getting real answers.

Functional Medicine Gut Health Testing Near Louisville, KY

If you're in the Louisville metro area, Bardstown, Elizabethtown, or anywhere in the Shepherdsville corridor, you don't have to travel far for this level of care. Elivate Wellness is conveniently located in Shepherdsville, KY — easy to reach from across Bullitt, Nelson, Hardin, and Jefferson counties.

Our approach is grounded in one core belief: you deserve to understand what's happening in your own body. Not a vague diagnosis. Not a prescription to manage symptoms indefinitely. Real information, a real plan, and a team who walks alongside you through the whole process.

Ready to find out what your gut is telling you?

Start by scheduling a consultation with Olivia at Elivate Wellness. We'll review your health history, complete your initial bloodwork, and determine if GI Map testing is the right next step for you. Allison will be with you every step of the results review process — making sure you walk away with clarity, not confusion.

Book Your Consultation at Elivate Wellness →

Frequently Asked Questions About GI Map Testing

How do I get started with GI Map testing at Elivate Wellness?

The first step is scheduling a lab bloodwork consultation with Olivia. This gives us the full picture of your health before diving into your gut specifically. From there, you'll complete your GI Map test at home, and Allison will walk you through your results in detail. Contact us here to get started.

How long does a GI Map test take?

The at-home collection takes just a few minutes. Lab results are typically returned within 2–3 weeks, after which Allison will schedule your results review appointment to go through everything together.

Is a GI Map test covered by insurance?

GI Map testing is typically not covered by insurance, as it is a functional medicine diagnostic tool rather than a standard medical test. Our team can discuss pricing and options when you contact us for your initial consultation.

Do I need digestive symptoms to benefit from a GI Map?

Not at all. Many patients who come to Elivate Wellness for fatigue, hormonal issues, skin conditions, or mood concerns discover that a gut imbalance is a primary driver — even without obvious digestive complaints. The GI Map is valuable for anyone who wants a complete picture of their gut health.

How is the GI Map different from a food sensitivity test?

A food sensitivity test identifies how your immune system responds to specific foods. A GI Map goes deeper — identifying the organisms and imbalances that may actually be causing those sensitivities in the first place. Many patients find that addressing underlying gut imbalances reduces or eliminates food sensitivities over time.

Where is Elivate Wellness located?

Elivate Wellness is located at 6302 Hwy 44 E, Shepherdsville, KY 40165 — conveniently accessible from Louisville, Bardstown, Elizabethtown, and surrounding communities throughout Kentucky. Contact us to schedule your consultation.

Abigail Gibson