Bione Whatsapp

A Beginner’s Guide to Gut Microbiome Testing: Know Your Gut, Heal Your Health

how to test gut microbiome at home
Key Takeaways
  • Your gut microbiome influences more than digestion, it affects mood, skin, and immunity.
  • Gut microbiome testing is simple, non-invasive, and can be done at home.
  • Test results offer personalised insights into diet, digestion, and gut balance.
  • Microbiome testing is rapidly growing in India, with affordable at-home options available.

Have you ever felt bloated, tired, or had unexplained skin issues or mood swings? The answer may be in your belly! Over the past few years, gut microbiome testing has taken the world of alternative tests by storm, and it is indeed a way to understand what is happening in your gut. This beginner-friendly guide breaks it down for you in simple terms about gut microbiome testing.

The ubiquitous population of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbial inhabitants that reside in your gut digestive tract is your gut microbiome. These microbes assist in the digestion of foods, enhance your immunity, and even have effects on your mental health.

When you have a good gut, you will feel good. However, in case of imbalance gut microbiome, it may result in problems such as:

  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Gas and bloating
  • Food intolerances
  • Fatigue
  • Acne or eczema
  • Mood disorders like anxiety or depression
Your poop (yes, stool) contains microbes, which can be tested on your gut microbiome test. It lets you know which bacteria are good, which ones are bad, and whether your gut is balanced.
This test is something you could take in a lab, but you can also do it at home. Many companies offer test gut microbiome at home kits that are easy and private.
How to Test Gut Microbiome at Home
At Bione, we’ve simplified the gut microbiome testing process to make it accessible, accurate, and guided by expert care. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Place Your Order on the Bione Website
Visit the official Bione website and choose your Gut Microbiome Testing Kit. Once the order is placed, our team will initiate a confirmation call to verify your details and explain the next steps. They’ll walk you through the process, answer any questions you have, and provide a personalised overview of what to expect.
Step 2: Kit Delivery Within 7 Days

Your gut test kit will arrive at your doorstep within 5–7 business days. The package includes:

  • Sample collection container or swab
  • Gloves
  • Detailed instructions
  • Barcode for registration
Step 3: Register Your Kit Online

Once you receive your kit, you’ll need to register it on the Bione portal using the unique barcode provided. You’ll also be asked to complete a short lifestyle and dietary questionnaire. This data is essential for generating personalised recommendations based on your gut microbiome profile.

Step 4: Sample Collection and Coordination

Follow the provided instructions to collect your stool sample by using a cotton swab or spoon offered in the kit. It’s quick, painless, and hygienic. After collection, our team will coordinate with you to arrange for secure pickup and shipping of your sample to Bione’s central lab in Bengaluru.

Step 5: Sample Processing and Confirmation

Once your sample reaches our lab, you will receive a confirmation message. Our advanced gut microbiome analysis begins, using state-of-the-art sequencing technology and AI-driven diagnostics.

Step 6: Get Your Report and Consultation (Within 3–4 Weeks)
Within 3–4 weeks, you’ll receive a detailed gut health report. This includes:
  • Analysis of gut bacteria (good vs. bad)
  • Digestive efficiency and inflammatory markers
  • Food sensitivities and dietary triggers
  • Vitamin synthesis capability
  • Personalised nutrition and probiotic suggestions

After the report delivery, a clinical nutritionist will conduct a one-on-one consultation to interpret your results and guide you through the next steps in your wellness journey.

Looking to test your gut microbiome in India? Here’s how:
  • Opt for an India-based provider for faster delivery and local diet recommendations
  • Compare packages with added services like customised diet charts or probiotic food guidance. But don’t fall for the cheap prices as every provider has different standards of testing and reporting. Check thoroughly about what all kinds of reports they are offering.
  • Receive personalised insights with Indian food-based solutions (e.g., curd, fermented pickles)
Gut microbiome test prices in India vary widely depending on what’s included. While basic stool tests may start at ₹8,000, most do not offer deep insights or actionable health plans.
Test Type Estimated Cost (INR) What It Typically Includes
Basic Gut Test
₹8,000–₹16,000
Simple microbe report, limited insights
Advanced Test + Diet Plan
₹18,000–₹40,000
Bacterial analysis + generic diet suggestions
BIONE Full Gut Health+ Wellness Program
₹20,000
AI-based report, doctor consults, Indian diet plan, pre/probiotics, lifestyle support
Gut Test Results
Your gut microbiome report from Bione is designed to be easy to understand yet deeply insightful. It gives you a detailed snapshot of your gut health, bacterial composition, digestive capability, and inflammation risk. Here’s what each section of the report typically means:

1. Microbial Diversity Score

This score reflects the variety of bacterial species in your gut. A higher diversity indicates better gut health, resilience to infections, and balanced digestion. Low diversity can signal dietary gaps, stress, or overuse of antibiotics.

2. Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio

This ratio compares the two dominant bacterial groups in your gut. A healthy balance supports digestion, metabolism, and weight regulation. An imbalanced ratio may be linked to obesity, inflammation, or poor nutrient absorption.

3. Beneficial (Probiotic) Bacteria

This section identifies levels of essential probiotic strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These bacteria aid in digestion, boost immunity, and maintain gut wall integrity. Low levels may indicate the need for probiotic foods or supplements.

4. Pathogenic or Harmful Bacteria

High levels of potentially harmful bacteria such as E. coli or Clostridium species can trigger inflammation, infections, bloating, and GI distress. Your report highlights these risks and flags them clearly.

5. Digestive Capability (Enzymatic Markers)

Analyse how efficiently your microbiome helps digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Low scores here may result in poor nutrient absorption, bloating, or irregular bowel movements.

6. Vitamin Biosynthesis Potential

Your gut bacteria play a key role in producing vitamins like B12, B9 (folate), and K. This section measures your microbiome’s ability to synthesize these vitamins, which are essential for energy, brain function, and immunity.

7. Inflammatory Markers

This checks for signs of gut inflammation or a “leaky gut.” Elevated markers may point to chronic stress, poor diet, or microbiome imbalance and are often associated with issues like IBS, fatigue, or skin flare-ups.

8. Food Sensitivity Risk

Your report may also suggest foods that are poorly tolerated by your gut, based on microbial imbalance. This helps you identify dietary triggers and customise your nutrition plan.

Bonus: Personalised Recommendations

Each report includes:
  • Easy-to-read graphs showing microbial proportions
  • Dietary suggestions based on Indian cuisine (e.g., curd, fermented foods, fiber-rich lentils)
  • Probiotic and prebiotic guidance
  • Lifestyle tips to reduce inflammation and improve gut function

This comprehensive, personalized insight allows you to take action, not just track numbers.

Testing a gut microbiome may be a game-changer for these reasons:
  • In that case, you would know what food to eat to improve your gut.
  • You get the information that an imbalance in the body remains hidden, and it results in tiredness and skin problems.
  • Only you can decide to have a diet tailored to your needs and get the supplements you need.
  • It is for keeping a record of gains made over time.

The truth is, your gut is your second brain, it’s not just a digestion system. The testing of your gut microbiome empowers you to take control of your health from within.

Whether you’re looking to lose weight, improve digestion, boost mental clarity, or simply feel better, microbiome testing is a smart first step.
And now that you know how to test gut microbiomes, you can start today in just a few simple steps. Ready to know your gut better?

Start with a test. Heal with food. Feel the difference.

0
Your Bag
  • No products in the cart.