Still not feeling right, even after doing the basics? You’re not alone, and it’s not in your head. Sometimes one more piece of the picture helps show why.
The GI-MAP is a stool test that reads the DNA of what lives in your gut. It shows which organisms are present and in what amounts, how well you are digesting, and how your gut lining is holding up.
Only when it helps. Barbie recommends this test only after she has reviewed your history and your first results, and only when it would change what you do next. It is separate from the $539 New Leaf Mineral Reset, and it is not sold on this site.
What the report covers
- Pathogens. Bacteria, parasites and viruses that commonly cause food-borne illness, such as Salmonella, C. difficile, Giardia and norovirus.
- H. pylori and its virulence factors. H. pylori is a bacterium that lives in the stomach. The test measures how much is present and whether it carries genes linked to more irritation.
- Commensal (keystone) bacteria. The helpful bacteria that should be there, such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium. Low levels can matter as much as high ones.
- Phyla balance. The broad ratio of the two largest families of gut bacteria.
- Opportunistic bacteria. Organisms that are harmless in small numbers but can cause trouble when they overgrow. Some produce histamine, and some are linked to immune reactions elsewhere in the body.
- Fungi and yeast. Candida, Geotrichum and others.
- Viruses. Including Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus.
- Parasites. Single-celled organisms such as Blastocystis hominis, and worms.
- Digestion markers. Pancreatic elastase (how much digestive enzyme your pancreas is sending) and steatocrit (fat left in the stool).
- Gut immune and inflammation markers. Secretory IgA (the gut’s first line of immune defense), calprotectin (inflammation), eosinophil activation protein (allergic-type reactions) and anti-gliadin antibodies (a reaction to gluten).
- Other gut markers. Beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme that can send estrogen back into circulation instead of letting it leave, and occult blood.
- Zonulin. Barbie adds this to every GI-MAP she orders. It helps show whether the gut lining is more open than it should be, often called leaky gut.
- Antibiotic resistance genes. Whether some bacteria present carry resistance to common antibiotics.
When Barbie may consider it
- Bloating, gas, loose stools or constipation that persist after the mineral foundation is in place
- Signs that point to H. pylori, such as burning, reflux or stomach discomfort
- Recurring yeast, a coated tongue, itchy ears or strong sugar cravings
- Food sensitivities that keep growing
- Low iron on blood work that does not respond to support
- Estrogen-related symptoms that do not shift on protocol
- Histamine reactions, skin flares or brain fog after meals
What it can and can’t tell you
It can show what is overgrown, what is missing, and how digestion and the gut lining are doing. That lets Barbie support the gut with direction instead of guesswork, and it gives a baseline to retest against.
It can’t show everything. It reads mainly what lives in the large intestine, so it does not test for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). It is one snapshot of one stool sample. A finding is a reason to look closer, not a diagnosis.
How it fits with HTMA and the Functional Lab Panel
The HTMA often gives the first gut clues. Low phosphorus and low cobalt, for example, can point to low stomach acid. Blood work may show iron that will not rise. The GI-MAP shows what is behind those signals. Barbie usually waits until your minerals are steadier and you have finished at least one full blend cycle, because a gut protocol on top of depleted minerals tends to be poorly tolerated.
Practical notes
- An at-home kit. You collect one stool sample and mail it to the lab.
- No fasting is needed.
- The kit instructions list medications and supplements to pause beforehand. Barbie will go over what applies to you, and anything involving a prescription stays with your prescriber.
How Barbie explains it
“Your minerals tell me how your body is coping. The GI-MAP tells me what is living in your gut and whether it is helping or working against you. Once your foundation is more stable, it lets us support your gut with a plan made for you.”
Curious what a written interpretation looks like? See the sample GI-MAP interpretation (Barbie’s actual report format, personal details changed for privacy).
This page is educational and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Barbie Fisher is a certified HTMA practitioner and health coach, not a medical doctor; these tests are not sold on this site, and nothing here replaces care from your own doctor. Please keep your physician involved in your care, especially for any result that needs medical follow-up.