Digestive Health + Food Sensitivities
By interpreting results through an optimal lens, we can detect nuanced signs of imbalance and proactively address symptoms with greater effectiveness at an earlier stage.
Digestive Health + Food Sensitivities
Food Sensitivity Testing (Vibrant Wellness)
Vibrant is the only functional medicine laboratory that utilizes a chemiluminescent method of detecting food sensitivities on a silicon chip. While other labs use ELISA methods, our. proprietary technology enables us to provide the highest sensitivity of detection with validated reproducibility
Conditions and symptoms associated with food sensitivities include:
- Gas,
- Bloating,
- Fatigue,
- Abdominal pain,
- Diarrhea,
- Constipation,
- Headaches,
- Brain fog,
- Rashes and skin issues,
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Bronchitis and asthma-like symptoms,
- Musculoskeletal joint pain.
Food Sensitivity Testing Prices
Pricing reflects at-home blood spot collection. Serum blood draw option also available.
Food Sensitivity
$200
Complete Food Sensitivity Profile
$450
Wheat Zoomer
$260
Prices are current as of February 2024 and are subject to change
Sample Reports
Testing food sensitivities is best done when eating a non-restrictive diet or to test compliance or exposure with a specific restricted food.
- Scenario 1: 1st time testing, no restrictions, take sample at any time;
- Scenario 2: 1st time testing, following gluten free diet for 1 year. To test if you do have a gluten
intolerance, you should eat at least 2 pieces of gluten free bread daily for 2 weeks to test for
reactivity; - Scenario 3: Previous positive gluten reactivity test, now following gluten free diet for 1 year. To test
current compliance, test anytime. If exposure is truly low, there should be a low reactivity to gluten
containing grains on the report.
Leaky Gut
$200
Health conditions associated with untreated intestinal permeability are classified in 3 groups:
- Digestive: Inflammatory Bowel disease, IBS (gas, bloating, constipation,
reflux), and food sensitivities; - Systemic: Depression, anxiety, migraine headaches, muscle pain, chronic
fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, and micronutrient deficiencies; - Autoimmune: Celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 Diabetes, asthma and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Gut Pathogens (Vibrant Wellness)
$280
detects pathogenic bacteria, parasites, viruses, and yeast overgrowth in the gastrointestinal system. It also measures several antibioticresistance genes. This test is part of the Gut Zoomer. 72 markers total At-home stool collection
GI Pathogens Profile (Diagnostic Solutions)
$250
Uses qPCR technology to analyze bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens (no yeast) that cause hospital-acquired infections, foodborne illnesses, and common causes of diarrhea. This test is part of GI Map. 30 markers total At-home stool collection
Prices are current as of February 2024 and are subject to change
Comprehensive Functional Stool Testing
An “all-in-one” tool to holistically assess digestive health
Because of its comprehensive analysis of gut health, almost every patient can benefit from a comprehensive gut health assessment. These tests are perfect for individuals wishing to optimize their health, and it’s a critical test for those who have been chronically ill and frustrated for years
- Microbiome Analysis: Comprehensive insights into the composition of the gut microbiome, identifying beneficial and harmful bacteria and yeast;
- Pathogen Detection: Precise identification of harmful pathogens, including parasites, viruses, and pathogenic bacteria;
- Digestive Enzyme Evaluation: Assessment of digestive enzyme efficiency to ensure optimal nutrient absorption. Short-chain farty acid production is also anayzed as a vital aspect of digestive health;
- Inflammation Markers and Immune Response: Measurement of immune readiness or activation, as well as, corresponding inflammation levels;
- Leaky Gut and Gluten Sensitivity Screening: Intestinal Permeability (i.e. “Leaky Gut”)
is a condition where the integrity of the intestinal cell barrier is compromised/broken down. Early detection and targeted interventions can prevent complications and
support overall gut health for the common occurrence of increased intestinal permeability; - Personalized Treatment Plans: Tailored interventions based on individual test results, enabling personalized dietary and lifestyle recommendations for improved gut health;
- Chronic Condition Support: Beneficial for individuals with chronic gastrointestinal conditions, offering insights to guide long-term management strategies.
Prices
Gut Zoomer (Vibrant Wellness)
$550
Analyzes over 300 microorganisms to provide the most comprehensive analysis of the gut microbiome using a proprietary microarray hybridization technology. 30 page report Microbiome results are grouped into helpful categories such as “Gut Bacteria and Autoimmune Health,” bringing together various bacteria that may be associated with a unifying issue. It includes recommendations for 35 widely used probiotics
GI Map (Diagnostic Solutions)
$395
GI-MAP was designed to detect microbes that may be disturbing normal microbial balance or contributing to illness as well as indicators of digestion, absorption, inflammation, and immune function. 90 analytes using state-of-the-art, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology. 5 page report.
Thorne Gut Testing
$220
$200 (order online) + 10% interpretation fee Thorne’s Microbiome Wipe revolutionizes the user experience of microbiome testing by eliminating inconvenient stool sampling that often leads users to either postpone the test or not take it at all 91 analytes. Summarized score system highlights areas for improvement Limited pathogen screen, no digestive enzyme assessment. Does include probiotic and dietary recommendations Cost-effective, yet holistic assessment of digestive health factors
Prices are current as of February 2024 and are subject to change
How It Works
A collection kit is shipped to you, read the instructions carefully and plan to collect the stool sample at home (generally in the morning). Thorne panel utilizes convenient wipe collection. Drop off the kit to the corresponding mail service of the lab. Processing time is generally 2 weeks.
Sample Reports
Complete Sample Reports may be provided upon request
Miscellaneous Microbial Testing
For recurrent vaginal, urine, prostate, sinus infections
New Hope for Patients Suffering From Challenging Infections
Microbial Testing Prices
Vaginosis Profile (Doctor’s Data)
$150
Includes a bacterial vaginosis score based on the Nugent Scoring System. Gram stain and culture assessment. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to prescriptive and natural agents is performed for appropriate bacterial and fungal species.
Vaginal BiomeFX
$385
BiomeFx uses state of the art whole genome shotgun sequencing to capture the vaginal microbiome. Assessmment of vaginal microbiome with profiling of “Commmunity State Types” discussed in research.
Thorne Gut Testing
$220
$200 (order online) + 10% interpretation fee Thorne’s Microbiome Wipe revolutionizes the user experience of microbiome testing by eliminating inconvenient stool sampling that often leads users to either postpone the test or not take it at all 91 analytes. Summarized score system highlights areas for improvement Limited pathogen screen, no digestive enzyme assessment. Does include probiotic and dietary recommendations Cost-effective, yet holistic assessment of digestive health factors
Prices are current as of February 2024 and are subject to change
Microbial Testing Sample Reports
Complete Sample Reports may be provided upon request
Microgen Dx Test
Laboratory specializing in low-cost, highly accurate qPCR + NGS microbial DNA diagnostics providing answers where cultures or PCR alone have failed.
Tests for over 50,000 potential pathogens. Includes sensitivity and resistance report for prescription antibiotics.
Microgen Dx Prices
Women’s Key Complete (vaginal + urine testing))
$295
Men's Key Complete (semen + urine testing
$295
Uro-Key (urine)
$265
Vaginal Key
$265
Prostate Test (semen)
$265
Microgen Dx test Sample Reports
Complete Sample Reports may be provided upon request
About Doctor
Dr. Nicole Shusterman, ND is a Dallas-based naturopathic doctor serving clients from her practice Asteri Healing Arts. Using customized herbal tinctures, homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplements, and functional speciality testing, we are able to holistically address health issues using the best natural medicine has to offer.
Dr. Nicole received her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from an accredited 4 year medical program at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. This training consisted of 4,100 hours of instruction and 1,200 hours of hands-on clinical training.
ND degree programs must meet the standards established by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), a governing body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. NUNM is one of only seven accredited programs in North America. She is also certified in pharmacology by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners.
Disclaimer: Functional testing and the information in this document is used for educational purposes only. The state of Texas does not currently license Naturopathic Doctors. Thus, Dr. Nicole Shusterman, ND maintains an active naturopathic medical license in the state of Kansas, and acts in Texas as a naturopathic wellness consultant, not as a physician. The recommendations Dr. Shusterman provides are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.
