NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR IN ONTARIO
Digestive Health Testing in Ontario
Lab Testing Options for Digestive Health
Comprehensive naturopathic assessment for IBS, SIBO, food intolerances, microbiome balance, and more
Bad digestion can disrupt every part of life. Constipation and bloating, gas/flatulence, urgent diarrhea, abdominal pain—these symptoms affect energy, mood, work, and social plans. Often, a careful naturopathic intake points to the root cause. Sometimes, targeted digestive testing fast-tracks clarity and personalizes your care.
At our clinic, we offer a streamlined menu of evidence-informed digestive health tests to help you and your practitioner make confident decisions.
Who is digestive testing for?
Consider testing if you experience:
Gas, bloating, burping, reflux/heartburn
Irregular bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea, or alternating)
Abdominal pain, post-meal discomfort, visible distention
Unexplained skin issues, fatigue, brain fog associated with meals
Suspected food intolerances or difficulty with dairy, wheat, FODMAPs
Long-standing IBS, recurrent SIBO, or suspected gut dysbiosis
Note: Many of these tests are not routinely offered by family physicians. As naturopathic doctors, we help you decide which tests fit your case and how to interpret results alongside your medical history and current care.
Our digestive testing options (overview)
Food intolerance testing (Elimination trials, breath testing with FoodMarble®, IgG/IgA panels)
Lactose intolerance testing (serum glucose after oral lactose dose)
SIBO/IMO breath testing (home FoodMarble® and conventional hospital lactulose/glucose protocols)
Comprehensive stool analysis (including GI-MAP®): digestion, absorption, microbiome, pathogens
Basic stool tests: parasites/ova & cysts, yeast/fungi, undigested fat (steatocrit)
IBS antibody testing (e.g., anti-CdtB, anti-vinculin via IBSchek®)
Celiac screening (tTG-IgA/EMA) and adjunct immune panels as indicated
Laboratories/devices we use:
FoodMarble® • ICL Hospital Network • Doctor’s Data • GI-MAP® • Rocky Mountain Analytical • Dynacare
Test menu (what it is • when to consider • what to expect)
1) Food Intolerance Testing
What it is: Ways to identify non-allergic food reactions that contribute to digestive or systemic symptoms.
Guided elimination & re-challenge (gold standard): Structured removal and reintroduction to confirm symptom links.
Breath testing with FoodMarble®: A handheld device measures fermentation gases after specific foods. If gas production rises 3+ hours post-meal, it suggests that food reached the large intestine under-digested—often pointing to enzyme insufficiency for that carbohydrate (e.g., lactose, fructose, sorbitol). Distinguishes food processing issues from SIBO-type overgrowth patterns.
IgG/IgA food panels: Measure immune interaction with foods. These tests are best used as adjuncts to a clinical/elimination approach, since IgG may reflect exposure rather than intolerance. Helpful when systemic symptoms (e.g., migraines, eczema/psoriasis, joint pain, congestion, brain fog) accompany digestive complaints.
When to consider: Persistent bloating, variable stools, skin or migraine flares tied to diet, suspected FODMAP sensitivity, difficulty pinning down triggers.
What to expect: At-home breath testing or one blood draw; we provide an action plan to translate results into a clear, sustainable eating pattern.
2) Lactose Intolerance Testing (Serum)
What it is: A serum glucose test after an oral lactose dose. If your body can’t break down lactose, blood glucose won’t rise as expected.
When to consider: Bloating, cramping, and diarrhea after dairy; unclear if symptoms are lactose intolerance vs. cow’s-milk protein sensitivity vs. general IBS.
What to expect: A fasting baseline blood test, a standardized lactose drink, and timed blood draws to observe glucose response.
3) SIBO/IMO Breath Testing
What it is: Measures hydrogen, methane (and sometimes hydrogen-sulfide) gases produced by microbes after ingesting a test sugar.
Home testing (FoodMarble®): Convenient, app-guided tracking and serial measurements with real-world meals or structured challenges.
Conventional hospital protocols (ICL network): Lactulose and/or glucose breath tests with standardized collection times; suitable for formal diagnosis of SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and IMO (intestinal methanogen overgrowth).
When to consider: Bloating within 60–120 minutes after meals, visible distention, excessive gas, constipation (often methane-predominant), diarrhea (often hydrogen-predominant), recurrent SIBO after antibiotics or herbals.
What to expect: Short preparatory diet, overnight fast, a test drink, and serial breath samples over 2–3 hours. We interpret patterns (timing + gas type) to guide treatment.
4) Comprehensive Stool Analysis (incl. GI-MAP®)
What it is: A deep look at digestion, absorption, inflammation, microbiome balance, and pathogens (bacteria/archaea, yeast/fungi, parasites). GI-MAP® includes qPCR-based detection and functional markers (e.g., calprotectin, pancreatic elastase).
When to consider: Long-standing IBS, suspected dysbiosis, recurrent infections, unexplained symptoms despite diet changes, post-antibiotic recovery, or to baseline before/after therapy.
What to expect: One or more at-home stool samples with clear instructions. You receive a clinician-guided report translating data into practical steps (diet, probiotics/prebiotics, antimicrobials, digestive support).
5) Basic Stool Tests
Parasites / Ova & Cysts / Yeast/Fungi
Screens for infectious contributors to diarrhea, cramping, travel-related illness, or persistent bloating.
Undigested fat (steatocrit):
Assesses fat malabsorption (e.g., pancreatic or bile issues) when stools are pale, floating, oily, or hard to flush.
What to expect: Simple at-home collections; we coordinate appropriate lab requisitions and follow-up.
6) IBS Antibody Testing
What it is: Anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin antibodies (e.g., IBSchek®) associated with post-infectious IBS after acute gastroenteritis (commonly Campylobacter). Helpful context if IBS symptoms began after a “food poisoning” event.
When to consider: Persistent IBS-type symptoms following a known GI infection; differentiating IBS subtypes and guiding strategy (motility, anti-inflammatory support, relapse prevention).
What to expect: A single blood draw. Results are interpreted alongside breath/stool findings and clinical history.
How these tests add value
Clarity: Identify whether symptoms are driven by fermentation, enzyme insufficiency, dysbiosis, infection, inflammation, or malabsorption.
Precision: Match the right therapy to the right mechanism (e.g., prokinetics vs. antimicrobials, enzyme support vs. diet changes, parasite treatment vs. microbiome rebuilding).
Momentum: Shorten the trial-and-error phase and move faster toward consistent, comfortable digestion.
What it tests for (at a glance)
Gas production & substrate intolerance: hydrogen/methane patterns, food-specific fermentation
Microbiome balance: commensal diversity, overgrowths, pathogens
Digestive capacity: pancreatic elastase, undigested fat, stool chemistry
Inflammation & immune activity: calprotectin, secretory IgA (panel dependent)
Infection: bacteria/archaea, parasites, yeast/fungi
Post-infectious markers: IBS antibody profile
Celiac screening: tTG/EMA where indicated
Our Process
Clinical intake & test mapping: We prioritize the fewest, most informative tests for your case.
Preparation & collection: Clear instructions, prep diet if needed, and support with shipping/logistics.
Results review: We translate numbers into a plain-language plan: nutrition, enzymes, antimicrobials/probiotics, motility, lifestyle, and relapse prevention.
Co-management: We collaborate with your family doctor or gastroenterologist when referrals, imaging, or prescriptions are appropriate.
FAQs
Are these tests covered?
Coverage varies by extended health benefits and lab. We’ll outline options and any costs up front.
Can my family doctor order these?
Some tests (e.g., basic stool O&P or celiac screening) may be available through your MD. Many specialized microbiome, breath, and antibody panels are not routinely offered in primary care; we help bridge that gap and coordinate when medical follow-up is needed.
Are IgG food tests diagnostic?
They’re best viewed as decision-support tools—useful when combined with history and elimination-rechallenge. We’ll help you interpret results conservatively to avoid over-restrictive diets.
Will testing replace a colonoscopy/endoscopy if I have red flags?
No. Alarm features (blood in stool, unintentional weight loss, fever, anemia, severe pain, onset after age 50, family history of colorectal cancer/IBD) require medical evaluation. We will refer as needed.
Ready for answers?
If you’re seeking digestive health testing in Ontario with a clear, compassionate roadmap, we’re here to help. Book a consultation to discuss naturopath gut health testing, choose the SIBO breath test (Ontario) option that fits your needs, or map a plan for food intolerance testing and comprehensive stool analysis (GI-MAP®/Doctor’s Data).
Let’s turn your results into relief—so you can eat, live, and feel better.
Dr. Sarah Goulding, Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Sarah Goulding is a licensed naturopathic doctor in Ottawa Ontario and has a BSc in neuroscience and biology from Dalhousie University (2004), and did her 4-year naturopathic training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (2010). She’s since accumulated over a decade of clinical experience, and refined her practice to focus on women’s health and digestion. She is licensed and registered as a Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario by The College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) and is a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND).
Dr. Sarah Goulding blends science and compassion, and acts as a personal health researcher to help you navigate your health. Tools that she uses include nutrition, supplements and botanicals, bioidentical hormones, and lifestyle modifications. The closer you get to the root cause, the gentler the therapies needed to resolve the issue.
Dr. Elizabeth Miller, Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Miller completed her doctor or naturopathic medicine degree at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, and holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s of science in Human Health and Nutrition from the University of Guelph. Her extensive knowledge of nutrition and her strong foundation in scientific research allows for a very thorough approach to your care. She is licensed and registered as a Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario by The College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) and is a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND).
She is passionate about teaching holistic health to help women understand their bodies and get to the root cause of their health issues. Her areas of special interest include women’s health, hormonal health, gastrointestinal health, and pediatrics.
Dr. Janna Fung, Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Janna Fung is a licensed naturopathic doctor with a special interest in dermatology and women’s health. She has a passion for evidence based preventative medicine and strives to empower patients with the knowledge to achieve their optimal health. She understands collaborations is the only way to develop realistic sustainable health/wellness results and strives to develop individualized health goals with patients.
