Correlation of Toxins With Gastrointestinal (GI) and Overall Health

Determination of the Total Toxicity score

Mass spectroscopy-based techniques will be used to test participants' urine samples for environmental toxins, heavy metals, PFAS, and mycotoxins. A 'total toxicity score' will be calculated based on the results obtained from the urine analysis of these toxins. The range for total toxicity score lies between 0 (none) to 232 (severe). Higher scores correspond with worse outcomes.

Determination of the Symptom score

The Symptom History Form is a 90-item questionnaire that will assess participants' digestive and non-digestive symptoms. The scale ranges from 0 (absent) to 1 (present). This form will help determine the 'symptom score.'

Determination of the Diagnosis score

A diagnosis will be selected by the clinician as part of the medical evaluation during the follow-up patient visit. Diagnosis may be "confirmed," "suspected," or "rule out" all as part of a practitioner's clinical impressions. Each diagnosis score will be presented in the form of an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 code. This will help determine the 'diagnosis score,' which applies only to the patient group.

Determination of individual scores

Based on the urine analysis, individual scores for environmental toxins, heavy metals, PFAS, and mycotoxins will be determined. The individual score ranges are as follows: Environmental toxins: 0 (none) to 78 (severe); Heavy metals: 0 (none) to 40 (severe); PFAS: 0 (none) to 52 (severe); Mycotoxins: 0 (none) to 62 (severe). In all cases, higher scores correspond with worse outcomes.