I deem “best” on these critieria:

• The amount of information reported
• The ability to get that information into the data store so suggestions may be generated with the best details (direct transfer or uploadable files)
• The number of tests uploaded from a lab (the more uploads, the more we can identify patterns!)

These tests are not available everywhere.

• USA ONLY
  • 💰💰 Thorne Gut Health Test -provides information on virus and fungii too!
    • 35 samples uploaded, up to 5500 different bacteria
  • 💰 Ombre Labs Gut Health Test — 16s [POOR VALUE]
    • 1500 samples uploaded, up to 1640 different bacteria
• World Wide
  • 💰 Biomesight – ships world wide. There is a discount code “MICRO” that may still be available
    • 2430 samples uploaded, up to 1300 different bacteria
• Europe
  • 💰💰💰💰💰 Xenogene provides information on virus and fungii too!
    • 35 samples uploaded, up to 5240 different bacteria

Extra Citizen Science Analysis is done when there are over 200 samples uploaded.

POOR VALUE For Ombre

A reader wrote about their price increases.

In the past, I have ordered Subscribe with one test every 6 months. That option is no longer available. Getting a new test every 30 days makes no microbiome sense (it will often be 30 days before you get results back!!).

If you have used Ombre, you should change to Biomesight and keep a consistent history at reasonable costs.

• Download your FastQ files from Ombre
• Upload them to BiomeSight
• Biomesight will process the data for free to their pipeline
• Transfer the data to Microbiome Prescription — making sure you keep naming/sample dates correct

Other Labs

Many other tests are supported (see this report).

Two new providers should be compatible this year:

• Vitract (US and Canada)
• PrecisionBiome (EU – which looks like it may be the only test that is in full conformity to Personal Health Information regulations in Europe).