Over a lifetime, a person consumes between 30 and 60 tonnes of food - a remarkable workload for the gut. The GI tract is a complex and finely tuned system, but it can malfunction. Eurofins provide targeted tests for each area of the gut.
Stomach acid not only helps to breakdown protein into amino acids but protects against pathogenic organisms and food antigens. Hypochlorhydria is associated with increased risk of Helicobacter pylori, Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth (SIBO), an increase in proximal small intestinal pH and decreased secretion of Intrinsic Factor, needed to absorb B12.
Helicobacter pylori is a public health issue affecting 25-30% of people in Ireland. It is associated with significant disease and is a cause of stomach ulcers and stomach cancer. We test for Helicobacter pylori.
Adequate amounts of specific digestive enzymes are required to digest food.
Pancreatic secretions can decrease with age and are adversely affected by Pancreatitis, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, Gallstones and Inflammation.
Normal levels of pancreatic elastase in the stool indicate an optimally working pancreas. However, abnormal values of elastase point towards a pancreatic abnormality. Eurofins tests for Pancreatic Elastase Sufficiency.
Gut dysbiosis has been identified as an important factor in the pathogenesis of liver disease.
Eurofins provide a range of Liver Function Tests. Adequate bile secretion is essential, we can measure conjugated (direct) bilirubin levels, which can indicate liver or bile duct problems.
The gut is sometimes referred to as the body’s 2nd brain and plays a major part in maintaining our health. The balance between gut mucosa, flora and our immune system helps to compensate for the physiological or pathological variations caused by infection, inflammation or hyperpermeability.
This balance also plays a role in a variety of other chronic inflammatory or auto-immune diseases, regardless of whether or not there are digestive symptoms. DigestCheck will guide the specialist in selecting any additional examinations. Visit a local lab for price and ordering.
| Physical/chemical examination | Faecal secretory IgA |
| Faecal beta-2 definsin | Faecal zonulin |
| Calprotectin | Faecal alpha-1 antitrypsin |
| Blood in Stool |
Vegetarian and vegan diets are more and more popular among an increasingly environment and health conscious public. Associated dietary deficiencies can generally be easily managed if they are prevented by the appropriate supplements.
Regular monitoring of (micro)nutritional status, as provided by VeggieCheck, means that people on such diets can enjoy them safely and healthily. Visit a local lab for price and ordering.
| Albumin | Vitamin B9 (erythrocyte) |
| Ferritin | Vitamin B12 |
| Zinc | Homocysteine |
| Vitamin A | Erythrocyte fatty acids |
| Vitamin D | Iodine |
| The Test | More Information |
| Helicobacter Pylori in Stool | Learn More |
| Helicobacter Pylori antibodies in serum | Learn More |
| Faecal Pancreatic Elastase | Learn More |
| Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth (SIBO) test | In-Clinic Test |
| Lactose Intolerance test (Self-test kit Genetic) | Contact local lab |
| Vitamin B12 | Learn More |
| Anti-Intrinsic Factor Antibodies | Learn More |
| Anti-Parietal Cell Antibodies | Learn More |
| Liver Function Profile |
Bilirubin, ALT, ALP, AST, GGT, Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin (contact local lab) |
| Intestinal Permeability |
Mannitol:Lactulose In-Clinic test |
The Gastrointestinal Tract (GI) is a major potential point of entry for pathogens, via the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat, with antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the greatest and most rapidly growing threat to human health.
Many different viruses can cause infection of the GI. In Ireland Norovirus and Rotavirus are the most common causes. Other viruses that can cause gastroenteritis include Adenovirus, Astrovirus and Sapovirus. The most common bacterial gastroenteritis in Ireland is campylobacteriosis, primarily spread through contaminated food or water.
Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories provide diagnostic tests in Bacteriology, Mycology and Parasitology. Stool cultures assess the relative balance of Beneficial vs. Harmful microbes. Routine screening of faecal samples includes screening for Salmonella species, Shigella species, E.coli 0157 and Campylobacter species. Vibrio cholera can be requested if there is suspicion that the patient has ingested contaminated water or seafood or travelled to endemic areas.
Eurofins test for both essential and non-essential metals. Non-essential heavy metals like arsenic, mercury and lead can displace metals that are co-factors for enzymes such as zinc in carbonic anhydrase or iron in haemoglobin. Displacement can inhibit these enzymes in the vital role they play in redox reactions, biosynthesis, transport, and other metabolic activities. Both essential and non-essential heavy metals can become toxic if their concentrations exceed certain thresholds.
Food Allergies and Intolerances irritate the GI, cause inflammation and account for a diverse range of symptoms from migraines to skin problems to cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal disorders.
Three Rock Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin,D18 A4C0, Ireland
Inflammation can be triggered by infections, trauma, autoimmunity or allergy.
A faecal calprotectin test measures a protein in the stool that indicates intestinal inflammation, helping to distinguish between inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis and functional disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Test results will help clinicians to prescribe and to monitor disease.
Dietary Fat intake affects the Inflammatory Response. The Mediterranean Diet, rich in omega 9 and plant foods, is recommended globally by clinicians. We offer a fatty-acid analysis test to assess omega 3:6, omega 3 and trans-fats status.
| The Test | More Information |
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Calprotectin |
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Fatty-Acid Analysis |
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Inflammation Profile |
Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in Ireland affecting around 2,800 people every year. Incidence is rising in younger people. When detected early, bowel cancer is very treatable.
Stage 1: 90%-95% survival at 5 yrs
Stage 4: 8%-16% survival at 5 yrs
Eurofins is proud to be the HSE laboratory partner for BowelScreen – The National Bowel Screening Programme, a public health initiative to combat colorectal cancer (CRC). Irish residents aged 57 to 71 years, after registration, are mailed a free home screening test.
People outside this age range, can request a FIT test privately from a clinic or GP.
ColoSafe® is a next-generation stool DNA test that detects the methylated SDC2 gene, a biomarker that is always elevated in bowel cancer.
A retrospective study was completed by St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin,(2026) a prospective study is underway. An inter-laboratory comparison study between Eurofins molecular lab in Dublin and DHS – Diagnostic HealthCare Solutions GmbH, Germany was completed (2026).
With long waiting lists for colonoscopies, ColoSafe® will help to prioritise higher-risk cases.
The beneficial symbiotic microflora residing primarily in the large intestine, have a direct impact on promoting a healthy GI tract. They work with the immune system to protect health.
The challenge facing microbiome diagnostics is that there is no definition of a ‘Healthy’ microbiome. Microbiomes vary among healthy people, change with age and are affected by dietary changes, medications, ethnicity, geography and lifestyle.
Note: Faecal microbial transplantation (FMT) is a very interesting area to monitor for news updates.
Diagnostic Solutions
The Microbiome Test (coming soon)
Haemochromatosis is an inherited condition leading to excessive iron absorption from food and is more common in Ireland than anywhere else in the world. One in 83 Irish people carry two copies of the HFE gene (i.e. a faulty gene from each parent) and are predisposed to develop iron overload. One in five carry one copy of the gene and are said to be carriers.
Iron is a free radical in excess and iron overload causes serious health complications. Men are more at risk of later diagnosis as menstruation reduces iron load for women until menopause.
Haemochromatosis Test. Requires Whole blood EDTA. Requires genetic consent from the patient.
Celiac disease is an auto-immune, life-long condition, more common in the Irish and those of Irish descent, affecting c. 1 in 100 people with 2-3 times higher incidence in women and typically occurs in children aged 8-12 months or adults aged 40-60 years. Milder cases may go un-diagnosed or mis-diagnosed as other digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats, causes an inflammatory response in the gut, damaging the villi in the small intestine which overtime affects the breakdown and absorption of essential nutrients resulting in a range of symptoms. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can come and go, complicating a quick diagnosis.
5 to 10% of cancers are linked to inherited genetic mutations which can be transmitted to descendants. If there is a strong family history of GI cancers, especially at an early age and multiple cancers in one patient, genetic testing can help enormously.
The Digestive Tube Panel includes genes associated with hereditary predisposition to digestive tract cancers. These genes were selected based on reliable estimates of associated tumour risks, which support safe and effective genetic counselling for patients with suspected hereditary digestive cancers, either with or without polyposis.
All panels are updated as new genetic data and research emerge. The 14 genes included in the Digestive Tube Panel are:
Contact sales at your local lab
Three Rock Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin,D18 A4C0, Ireland
