Gastrointestinal Function Testing
Understanding Your Gut Health for Better Overall Wellness
The gastrointestinal tract plays a central role in health that extends far beyond digestion. The gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, houses a significant portion of the immune system, produces neurotransmitters that influence mood and cognition, and serves as a critical barrier between the external environment and the body’s internal systems. At Dr. Jeri Lynn Otterstrom’s practice in Eugene, OR, we offer comprehensive gastrointestinal function testing to evaluate gut health in detail and guide effective, targeted treatment.
Many patients who struggle with conditions that appear unrelated to the gut — including autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances, skin problems, mood disorders, chronic fatigue, and metabolic dysfunction — find that GI dysfunction is a significant underlying contributor to their health challenges.
Stool testing is the primary tool for gastrointestinal function assessment and has advanced significantly in recent years. Modern comprehensive stool analysis uses DNA-based identification of microbial species to provide a detailed and accurate picture of the gut ecosystem that culture-based testing cannot match.
Results from GI function testing guide highly targeted treatment strategies. Rather than using broad-spectrum antimicrobials or generic probiotic supplements, Dr. Otterstrom develops protocols based on the specific organisms, imbalances, and inflammatory patterns present in each patient’s gut.
Treatment for GI dysfunction typically follows a structured approach — removing pathogens and inflammatory triggers, replacing digestive support where needed, repopulating the microbiome with beneficial organisms, and repairing the intestinal lining. This comprehensive framework addresses the root causes of gut dysfunction rather than simply managing symptoms.
Healing the gut often produces improvements across many areas of health simultaneously, because of the far-reaching influence of gut function on the immune system, nervous system, endocrine system, and metabolic health.
If you are struggling with digestive symptoms or chronic health conditions that may have a gut health component in Eugene, OR, Dr. Jeri Lynn Otterstrom offers comprehensive gastrointestinal function testing and personalized treatment designed to restore gut health and support whole-body healing.