Gut Microbiome & Digestive Health Panel

Comprehensive digestive health assessment at Thomson Medical Centre combining gut microbiome sequencing via 16S or shotgun metagenomic analysis with functional biomarkers for gut inflammation, permeability, and enzyme activity.

Thomson Medical Centre's Gut Microbiome and Digestive Health Panel is a specialised assessment offered through the Gastroenterology department and Thomson Wellth Clinic, combining advanced microbiome analysis with clinical digestive health biomarkers to provide a comprehensive picture of gut function and the gut-systemic health connection. The microbiome sequencing component uses 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing or whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing (depending on the panel tier) applied to a stool sample, identifying bacterial genera, species, and functional gene pathways across the gut ecosystem. The report provides phylum-level and genus-level abundance data, diversity scores (alpha and beta diversity), dysbiosis indices, and specific flags for overgrowth of pathogenic species or deficiency of protective commensals such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Akkermansia muciniphila — all mapped against population reference ranges. Functional biomarkers complement the microbiome data: faecal calprotectin, a highly sensitive marker for intestinal inflammation relevant in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) monitoring and colorectal cancer screening; zonulin as a permeability marker reflecting tight-junction integrity (leaky gut assessment); lysozyme and secretory IgA as immune function markers; and pancreatic elastase-1 to evaluate exocrine pancreatic enzyme sufficiency. A clinical gastroenterology or Thomson Wellth physician consultation interprets results in the context of the patient's digestive symptoms, diet, medication history (particularly antibiotic or PPI use), and metabolic health, with personalised dietary, probiotic, and prebiotic recommendations forming the cornerstone of the treatment plan. Follow-up retesting after three to six months can be used to track microbiome changes in response to interventions.