When and why should I use a qPCR addition to the shotgun sequencing test?

qPCR testing complements our standard shotgun sequencing by detecting specific organisms that might be present at very low levels in your gut microbiome (below 0.005% abundance). This highly specific and sensitive detection can be particularly valuable in specific situations:

You might consider adding qPCR testing if:

• Your healthcare provider wants to check for specific organisms that might be relevant to your symptoms, even at very low levels
• You have a compromised immune system or complex chronic conditions where even small amounts of certain organisms might be significant
• You want to monitor specific organisms very carefully as part of your treatment plan

Things to understand about qPCR results:

• If Candida or H. pylori are detected by qPCR but not by shotgun sequencing, it means the organism is present at very low levels, below 0.005% of your total gut microbiome
•  Finding low levels of these organisms through qPCR is not necessarily a cause for concern. Small amounts may be normal in a healthy gut
• The significance of low-level detection depends on your individual health context and symptoms

We recommend discussing your specific situation with your healthcare provider to determine if qPCR testing would be valuable for your health goals.