Indican Testing: Detecting Bacterial Overgrowth and Stasis in the Gut
The health of the gut is crucial for overall well-being, and one effective way to assess bacterial activity and digestion efficiency is through indican testing in urine. Elevated indican levels can indicate bacterial overgrowth or stasis in the small and large intestine, which may contribute to various digestive disorders.
What Is Indican Testing?
Indican testing measures the amount of indican (indoxyl potassium sulfate) excreted in the urine. This compound forms when bacteria in the gut break down the essential amino acid tryptophan into indole. While most indole is excreted through the feces, a small amount is absorbed, detoxified in the liver, and excreted in the urine as indican.
Since most endogenous indoles in the body contain a side chain that prevents conversion to indican, the urinary indican level is a reliable marker of bacterial activity in the intestines.
Causes of Elevated Indican Levels
Under normal conditions, indican excretion is minimal. However, certain factors can lead to increased indican levels, including:
- Protein-Rich Diet or Tryptophan Supplementation
- High protein intake increases the availability of tryptophan, leading to higher indole production.
- Digestive Disruptions
- Bowel obstructions
- Diverticulosis
- Gastric cancer
- Peptic ulcer
- Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)
- Biliary obstruction
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Reduced peristalsis
- Scleroderma
- Malabsorption syndromes
- Bacterial Overgrowth
- An overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine (SIBO) or large intestine can elevate indican levels due to excessive fermentation of tryptophan.
When Should You Test for Indican in Urine?
A urinary indican test can help detect bacterial overgrowth and intestinal stasis. If you experience digestive issues such as bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or malabsorption symptoms, indican testing may provide valuable insights into your gut health.
Complementary Tests for Gut Health
To gain a comprehensive understanding of gut function and bacterial balance, additional tests may be beneficial:
- Candida Antibodies (Blood Test) – Identifies yeast overgrowth, which can contribute to digestive problems.
- Stool Analysis – Evaluates the presence of pathogenic bacteria, parasites, and yeast.
- Intestinal Permeability Test – Assesses leaky gut syndrome and intestinal barrier function.
- Organic Acids Test (Urine) – Detects microbial imbalances and metabolic markers related to gut health.
Conclusion
Indican testing is a useful tool for assessing bacterial overgrowth and digestive efficiency. Elevated indican levels in urine may indicate poor digestion, bacterial fermentation, or underlying gastrointestinal conditions. By identifying these imbalances early, individuals can take appropriate steps to improve gut health through dietary adjustments, supplementation, and targeted therapies.
If you suspect bacterial overgrowth or digestive dysfunction, consider indican testing along with complementary assessments to gain a full picture of your gut health.
