Using Doctor’s Data Laboratories For Stool Analysis: What To Expect

by Eric Bakker N.D.

This article is the first in a series I am doing on stool testing. The topic of this article is Doctor’s Data Lab, a stool testing facility out of Chicago, Illinois. I’ve worked with Doctor’s Data now for over 20 years. I’ve had training from Doctor’s Data. I’ve been to their labs. I know the company quite well. I know some of their technical people, they’re brilliant. They always reply to my emails. I appreciate the fact that they have explained discrepancies in findings between their lab and Genova Labs, another facility I use for stool testing.

Of all the labs doing comprehensive stool analysis, Doctor’s Data Labs is my preference. I believe that technically they’re superior to other facilities. I know they have spent a lot of money on lab upgrades, and they have the right kind of Ph.Ds. on staff. Doctor’s Data Labs has been around a long, long time, and if something works, why reinvent the wheel? I’m very pleased with the service I’ve received from Doctor’s Data.

The $400 that it costs for Doctor’s Data’s highest level of stool analysis provides an incredible amount of information. The information is also presented in a way that is very easy to read. With some other laboratories, the results can be a bit difficult to interpret or be overly detailed.

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On the first page of the Doctor’s Data report, they provide the microbiology screen. This page comments on levels of beneficial bacteria, the imbalanced bacteria, and the dysbiotic bacteria. This quick overview will tell you immediately what types and numbers of bacteria are in your intestine. The mycology culture is found on page one as well.

The results of parasite testing are found on the second page of the Doctor’s Data report. Each of the three stool samples is independently tested for parasites and dead yeast. Results related to markers of digestion, desorption, immunology, and inflammation are found later on in the report.

The Doctor’s Data report lays out information in a very user-friendly manner. I’ve found reports from other companies a little bit more difficult to interpret. Information can be scattered all over the place. Sometimes some of the important markers are missing.

In my opinion, the two top US labs for stool testing are Doctor’s Data (#1) and Genova Diagnostics (#2). If you are willing to spend three to four hundred dollars on a stool test, I believe that it should be with one of those two labs. A competent laboratory will give you valuable results that direct you to effective treatments.

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About Eric Bakker N.D.

Eric Bakker ND has completed almost ten years of study and has almost almost 25 years of clinical experience in natural and integrative forms of medicine, and has pursued continuous post-graduate study in Australia, America, India as well as in New Zealand.

Eric is the past Vice President of the NZ Natural Medicine Association and is currently on their editorial advisory board.