Probiotics
It's advisable to pause any probiotic supplements at least 2 weeks prior to taking the gut health test. This ensures an accurate representation of your gut profile without any external influence from the probiotics.
If you’re planning to retest, the waiting period can be particularly helpful to ensure the probiotics don’t distort the results. Retests are commonly taken 3-4 months apart, which allows enough time for meaningful changes in your gut microbiome to be identified.
Antibiotics
We know that antibiotics can temporarily change your gut microbiome. However, there's no reason to delay your ZOE test if you've recently taken antibiotics or are currently on a course. Your test results will reflect the current state of your gut microbiome, and this can be valuable information.
We encourage you to take the test as soon as possible after receiving your kit to get the most accurate snapshot of your gut health at that time. If you choose to delay testing, please be aware that we are unable to replace any expired test kit components.
It's important to note that antibiotics can impact your gut microbiome, and this may be reflected in your ZOE scores. Some people who test shortly after or during antibiotic use may receive lower scores. This initial test can then serve as a baseline for you to monitor your gut health improvement over time.
Omeprazole and Other Medications
If you are taking Omeprazole or similar medications, we recommend not postponing your testing due ensure the kit does not expire.
Retesting Timelines and Kit Storage
Retesting is most effective when conducted approximately 3-4 months apart to reflect significant changes in your gut profile. There is an expiration date for your testing kit—store it safely until you are ready to proceed and ensure your kit is within its expiration date before using it. We cannot replace any component of an expired kit.