was kostet eine stuhlanalyse — can a microbiome test help?

The cost of a stool analysis (microbiome test) varies by provider and scope – typically between €100 and €300. The key question is whether such a test can actually help. The scientific evidence is mixed: for specific clinical indications (e.g., detection of C. difficile or other pathogens), stool analysis is well-established. However, for the general healthy population or for personalized dietary advice, robust validation is lacking. Most consumer tests use 16S rRNA sequencing, which only identifies bacteria at the genus level and does not provide functional insights. Moreover, the microbiome is dynamic – a single test captures only a snapshot. MyBody-X itself acknowledges that these tests cannot diagnose 'leaky gut' or food intolerances. A high proportion of Bacteroides is usually normal. If you have genuine symptoms, you should see a doctor and consider targeted diagnostics (e.g., breath tests, endoscopy). Without a medical indication, the benefit of a stool test for the general public is questionable. The cost is therefore often not justified.