The Naturopathic Co.
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If you have persistent acne, eczema or rosacea, it’s easy to come across advice telling you to “test your gut”.
But does everyone with a skin condition need a comprehensive stool test?
No.
Gut testing can be useful when there is a genuine clinical reason to investigate gastrointestinal function, but testing for the sake of producing pages of microbiome data doesn’t necessarily lead to better treatment. For a broader overview, see our guide to the gut-skin connection.
The answer depends heavily on the type of test.
Different comprehensive stool analyses can assess different combinations of:
Microbiome sequencing tests may provide broader information about bacterial communities.
These aren’t all interchangeable tests. Read more about our approach to functional testing.
Testing becomes more relevant when a skin condition occurs alongside significant gastrointestinal symptoms.
For example, acne with constipation and persistent bloating, or rosacea with severe post-meal distension and altered bowel movements, may provide more reason to investigate gastrointestinal function than isolated acne with completely normal digestion.
This is why our starting point is the person rather than the test.
No.
This is an important distinction.
SIBO involves the small intestine. Stool predominantly reflects organisms and metabolites reaching the colon and feces.
When SIBO is suspected from the clinical presentation, hydrogen or methane breath testing may be considered instead.
Read our guide to SIBO and skin symptoms for more information.
There is growing interest in the gut microbiome and acne, but that doesn’t mean there is currently one specific microbiome pattern that diagnoses the cause of an individual’s acne.
Testing may still be useful when acne occurs within a broader gastrointestinal presentation.
The question we ask is: will the result potentially change what we do?
If the answer is no, the test may not be worth doing.
Similarly, research linking microbial patterns and atopic dermatitis doesn’t mean a commercial stool test can identify “the eczema bacteria”.
If eczema occurs alongside significant digestive problems, those gastrointestinal symptoms can be investigated appropriately.
Read our guide to eczema and gastrointestinal health.
One potential problem with functional testing is becoming so focused on individual microorganisms that we forget about the patient.
A laboratory result should always be interpreted alongside symptoms, medical history, diet, medications, bowel habits and other relevant investigations.
Finding an organism doesn’t automatically prove it is causing a person’s symptoms.
Likewise, attempting to eradicate every organism labelled as “high” isn’t necessarily appropriate.
We start with a comprehensive case history.
Depending on your presentation, testing may not be necessary at all.
In other cases, we may discuss stool microbiome analysis, SIBO breath testing or conventional medical investigations, alongside nutritional medicine and herbal medicine support.
This is part of our broader approach to the gut-skin connection: investigate where appropriate, but don’t assume every skin condition originates in the digestive system.
Our Melbourne gut health naturopaths can assess whether functional gastrointestinal testing is appropriate as part of your consultation, in-clinic or via Telehealth.
For interstate clients, we also offer Sydney naturopathic digestive health consultations through Telehealth.
With 180+ verified five-star Google reviews, our naturopaths and nutritionists offer comprehensive 60-minute initial consultations, in person in South Yarra, Melbourne, or via telehealth across Australia. Book your consultation with The Naturopathic Co. today.
