Stool tests have been gaining popularity in recent years due to the importance of gut health. In the baby and childhood eczema community, you’ll often hear about two different poop tests: Tiny Health and GI Map.
So, what is the difference between the two?
The main differences are the technology used, the analysis, and cost.
Technology
Tiny Health uses shot-gun sequencing, whereas GI Map uses qPCR technology.
Analysis and Results
User-friendly results vs will require a practitioner to read the results.
Offers recommendations though some products may be possibly tied to affiliate links with discount codes.
Cost
$249 USD (Regular price)
Availability
Tiny Health can be purchased by any one through their website, whereas GI Map you will need to go through a practitioner or order through a third-party (validate).
Reviews
In my observation, Tiny Health is a good indicator but others have found more success in GI Map.
Tiny Health is marketed as a stool test for babies and thus measurements are based on what a baby’s microbiome should be. They will argue that the GI Map’s measurements are based on an adult’s microbiome and so the measurements are different.
The main difference between the Tiny Health stool test and the GI-MAP stool test lies in the technology used for analysis and the scope of information provided. Tiny Health uses metagenomic sequencing, offering a comprehensive view of the gut microbiome, including bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic species, as well as microbial functions. GI-MAP primarily uses qPCR technology, focusing on a limited number of specific microbes, often with an emphasis on pathogens.
Here’s a more detailed comparison:
Tiny Health:
- Technology: Metagenomic sequencing
- Scope: Comprehensive, detecting over 120,000 microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and archaea. It also assesses microbial functions.
- Information: Age-specific ranges, personalized action plans, and insights into microbial functions.
- Cost: Generally more affordable than GI-MAP.
- Collection: User-friendly.
GI-MAP:
- Technology: qPCR technology
- Scope: Limited to specific microbes, often focusing on pathogens.
- Information: May identify specific infections, but less comprehensive picture of the overall microbiome.
- Cost: Generally more expensive than Tiny Health.
- Collection: May require more specialized procedures.
In essence, if you need a broad overview of your gut microbiome, including all types of microbes and their functions, Tiny Health might be a better choice. If you are specifically concerned about a certain type of infection or a specific list of pathogens, GI-MAP might be more appropriate, although it’s less comprehensive in its analysis.
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