Method: Shotgun metagenomic sequencing (CLIA 21D2062464); not cleared or approved by the FDA. Results reflect relative microbial abundance for wellness education purposes. Not intended to diagnose or treat disease and not a substitute for clinical consultation. Microbial associations are based on emerging scientific research and may change over time.
A derived biomarker is a value that is calculated from other directly measured biomarkers rather than being measured directly in the lab.
Key benefits of Host DNA testing
- Gut epithelial integrity and inflammation marker
- elevated host DNA may signal gut barrier disruption
What is Host DNA?
Host DNA refers to human-derived DNA detected in the stool metagenomics sample. In a healthy gut, most DNA in stool is microbial. Elevated human DNA in a stool sample may reflect shedding of gut epithelial cells and may signal gut barrier disruption or inflammation. Detected by shotgun sequencing.
Why is Host DNA important?
Elevated host DNA in stool metagenomics is an indirect signal of increased gut epithelial cell turnover or shedding - which may occur in the context of gut inflammation, infection, or barrier disruption. It serves as an indirect measure of gut wall health alongside more specific inflammation indices.
What insights will I get?
Your host DNA level may indicate whether there is elevated gut epithelial cell shedding in your sample. Elevated host DNA alongside other inflammatory markers may suggest gut barrier disruption worth discussing with your care team.





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