Quick Facts
- Sample: Urine
- Fasting: No fasting required. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours and iodine or bile supplements for 72 hours before collection.
- Turnaround: 3-15 days (may take longer due to weather, holidays, or lab delays)
What This Test Measures
The Indican Urine Test measures indican levels in a urine sample. Indican is an indole byproduct created when bacteria in your intestines break down the amino acid tryptophan. Most indican leaves your body through bowel movements, but a portion is absorbed into the liver and released into your urine, where this test detects it.
This test measures indican directly in urine and does not identify a specific digestive or gastrointestinal disorder on its own. Instead, the result reflects the amount of indican present, which your healthcare provider can use, along with other clinical information, to help evaluate digestive health.
Benefits
- Measures indican levels in a single urine sample
- Helps screen for potential digestive or gastrointestinal concerns
- Simple, non-invasive urine collection
- No fasting required before testing
- Results can support further conversation with your provider
- May help identify patterns related to protein digestion
Who Is This Test For?
- People experiencing recurring digestive symptoms like gas or bloating
- Those with ongoing diarrhea or constipation they want to investigate
- Individuals curious whether excess dietary protein may affect digestion
- People wanting a general screening tool for digestive health concerns
- Those working with a provider to explore possible digestive imbalances
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures indican levels in urine to help screen for potential digestive or gastrointestinal concerns. It does not identify a specific disorder, but the result can help a healthcare provider evaluate digestive function and consider further evaluation if needed.
2. Who would benefit from this test?
This test may benefit people who frequently experience digestive symptoms and want a general screening tool to explore digestive health further. It can also be useful for those wanting insight into how dietary protein intake may relate to digestive function, in consultation with a healthcare provider.
3. When should I order this test?
You may consider ordering this test if you experience ongoing digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation and want to investigate possible causes. It can also be useful if you consume a high protein diet and want to explore whether that may be affecting your digestion. This test is a screening tool and does not replace a full medical evaluation.
4. What does this test measure?
This test measures indican, an indole byproduct of bacterial tryptophan breakdown, directly in a urine sample. The result reflects the level of indican present in your urine at the time of collection. This is a single analyte measurement of indican and does not include additional biomarkers or analytes.
5. Do I need to fast before this test?
No fasting is required for this test. You should avoid alcohol for 24 hours and iodine or bile supplements for 72 hours before your urine collection.
6. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available within 3 to 15 days. Turnaround may take longer due to weather, holidays, or other lab delays.
7. How do I interpret the results?
Indican results should be interpreted alongside your symptoms, medical history, medications, supplements, and other relevant laboratory findings. An elevated or normal indican level does not, by itself, confirm or rule out any specific digestive condition. Your healthcare provider is best positioned to explain what your result means in the context of your overall health.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
8. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
If your indican level is outside the expected range, review your results with a qualified healthcare provider. They can help determine whether additional evaluation or testing is appropriate based on your symptoms and overall health. This test does not provide a complete clinical conclusion on its own.
9. How often should I get tested?
There is no set testing schedule for this test. How often you test should be based on your individual health needs, as directed by your healthcare provider.
Pre test preparation
No fasting is required for this test. Stop consumption of alcohol 24 hours prior to collection. Stop taking iodine or bile supplements 72 hours prior to collection.
