Why Take a Stool Test?

Understanding Your Gut Health from the Inside Out

Let’s face it—stool tests aren’t exactly dinner table conversation. But if you’re struggling with ongoing digestive symptoms, unexplained health issues, or simply want to get a clearer picture of your gut health, a stool test can be an incredibly useful tool.

In this post, I’ll explain what a stool test involves, the kinds of symptoms it can help investigate, and how it might be the key to finally getting to the bottom (pun intended!) of your gut issues.

What Is a Stool Test?

A stool test (or faecal test) is a simple, non-invasive diagnostic tool that analyses a sample of your poo to look for signs of infection, inflammation, poor digestion, or imbalances in gut bacteria. While it might not sound glamorous, it can provide essential insights that you just can’t get from other tests.

Stool tests are often recommended by GPs, gastroenterologists, or nutritional therapists when a person is experiencing unexplained digestive symptoms or changes in bowel habits.

Symptoms That Might Call for a Stool Test

I may suggest a stool test if you’re experiencing any of the following:

• Ongoing diarrhoea or constipation

• Bloating and excessive wind

• Stomach cramps or abdominal discomfort

• Unexplained fatigue

• Mucus or blood in your stool

• Food sensitivities or intolerances

• Unintentional weight loss

• Skin conditions potentially linked to the gut (like eczema or acne)

• Brain fog or mood changes (yes—the gut-brain connection is real!)

These symptoms could be caused by a variety of things, but a stool test can help identify whether your gut is the underlying issue.

What Can a Stool Test Identify?

Depending on the type of test used, stool analysis can detect:

1. Infections

• Bacteria (e.g., Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli)

• Parasites (e.g., Giardia, Blastocystis)

• Viruses

• Yeast or fungal overgrowth (e.g., Candida)

  
  

2. Inflammatory Markers

High levels of faecal calprotectin or lactoferrin may indicate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

3. Digestive Efficiency

• Checks for undigested food, fat or muscle fibres

• Measures digestive enzymes (e.g., pancreatic elastase) to assess pancreatic function

  
  

4. Gut Microbiome Balance

• Assesses the levels and diversity of your gut bacteria

• Identifies imbalances (dysbiosis) that could be contributing to conditions like IBS, fatigue, or anxiety

5. Occult (Hidden) Blood

• Often used as part of bowel cancer screening or to detect bleeding from ulcers or polyps

How Can It Help with Gut Health?

For people suffering from chronic gut symptoms, a stool test can be a real breakthrough. Here’s how it can help:

✅ Identify the root cause of symptoms, rather than just treating them on the surface

✅ Guide targeted treatment—such as medication for an infection, or probiotics to restore balance

✅ Avoid unnecessary medication by ruling out certain conditions

✅ Track long-term conditions like IBS or IBD

✅ Support personalised dietary and lifestyle changes tailored to your gut health needs

Rather than guesswork with diets or supplements, you can take a science-backed, individualised approach to your health.

Final Thoughts

Your gut has a huge impact on your overall wellbeing—from digestion and immunity to mood and energy levels. If something feels off, don’t ignore it! A stool test might seem like an odd place to start, but it can give you real answers and a clear way forward.

If you are dealing with ongoing gut issues or simply want to know more about your digestive health, get in touch via the website or email emma@emmahammondnutrition.com

Sometimes, the clue to feeling better really is just one sample away.