Method: Shotgun metagenomic sequencing (CLIA 21D2062464); not cleared or approved by the FDA. Results reflect relative microbial abundance for wellness education purposes. Not intended to diagnose or treat disease and not a substitute for clinical consultation. Microbial associations are based on emerging scientific research and may change over time. Derived from laboratory results. This score or index is not an FDA-cleared test. It aids clinician-directed assessment and is not a stand-alone diagnosis.
A derived biomarker is a value that is calculated from other directly measured biomarkers rather than being measured directly in the lab.
Key benefits of Methane production capacity testing
- Functional methane production assessment
- gut fermentation byproduct tracking beyond organism abundance
What is Methane production capacity?
The Methane production capacity is a derived metric estimating functional methane-producing activity based on the abundance of methanogenesis pathway genes detected by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. It estimates functional capacity beyond just counting M. smithii cells.
Why is Methane production capacity important?
Methane production capacity may correlate more closely with actual functional gut methane output than organism abundance alone - capturing contribution from both dominant and minor methanogen species. Higher methane production capacity may be relevant for understanding gas, bloating, and bowel transit characteristics.
What insights will I get?
Your Methane production capacity score provides a functional estimate of how much methane-producing activity your gut microbiome may sustain. Interpreted alongside your M. smithii level, it may help explain bowel transit patterns and gas production.
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