COVID19 Testing Options

We've been using Diagnostic Solutions as our go to lab for comprehensive gut evaluation.  We were so excited to see that they just rolled out a COVID19 testing option for providers. 

Read below to get the most up to date information on this testing option.  

We are now ordering these tests for patients that meet the criteria - click here to book a phone or video consultation with us. 

​	Nasal Swab	Stool Sample
Symptoms	Shortness of breath, fever, cough or recent contact with a known infected person	​Asymptomatic, Diarrhea Abdominal pain, Vomiting, or upper respiratory symptoms
Cost	Covered By a Majority Insurance Companies	$175
Availability	Moderate, available through most offices depending on severity of symptoms	Easy, Available thru SFIM
Turn Around Time	3 - 12 days	​2 days after lab receives test
False Negative % ​(Test indicates you are virus free when you really have it)	15-25%	35%*
False Positive % ​(Test indicates you have the virus when you do not)	Very Low	Very Low
Test available while asymptomatic	Not Likely	Yes
​Who is this test for?	People with upper respiratory symptoms, have had direct contact with a known infected person, who have an MD who will order the test	Anyone who understands the limits of this type of testing, previously infected people who want to monitor their viral load, asymptomatic people, people who have unexplained GI symptoms without respiratory symptoms. ​
​Does one negative test prove you do not have the virus?	No	No

​*Patients who present with nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting are more likely to accurately test positive or negative

Ten percent of patients presented with diarrhea and nausea one to two days before they developed fever and respiratory symptoms. And in some cases, digestive symptoms were the primary symptom of COVID-19. Further, GI symptoms with COVID-19 may indicate a more severe course of illness. For example, abdominal pain was reported more frequently in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. SARS-CoV-2 can also be detected in fecal specimens of asymptomatic patients.

References: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/03/26/negative-coronavirus-test-result-doesnt-always-mean-you-arent-infected/