Quick Facts
- Sample: Random urine sample
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 3-15 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Detect intestinal dysbiosis and bacterial imbalances without invasive procedures
- Screen for SIBO and protein malabsorption
- Identify underlying causes of bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort early
- Monitor gut health improvements during treatment or dietary changes
- Gain actionable insights to guide targeted nutritional interventions
Who Is This Test For?
- People experiencing bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation regularly
- Individuals with unexplained fatigue or digestive malabsorption concerns
- Those suspecting small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Health-conscious adults wanting to optimize digestive function
- Patients monitoring dysbiosis treatment effectiveness over time
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — Select your test, choose a convenient lab location, and schedule your appointment instantly.
- Collect your sample – Provide a random urine sample in a sterile container
- Get results — Receive results in 3–15 days to help guide next steps
FAQ
What does indican measure? Indican is a metabolic byproduct formed when intestinal bacteria break down tryptophan, an amino acid. Elevated urinary indican suggests abnormal bacterial protein fermentation and impaired digestion (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Why would my indican levels be high? High indican typically indicates intestinal dysbiosis, SIBO, inefficient protein digestion, or malabsorption. High-protein diets, antibiotics, and gut motility issues can also temporarily elevate levels (NIH 2023).
Who should consider this test? Order this test if you experience persistent digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, or unexplained fatigue, or to monitor treatment of diagnosed dysbiosis or SIBO (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Do I need to fast or prepare? No fasting required. Avoid excessive protein intake or antibiotics for 48–72 hours prior if possible for most accurate results.
What do my results mean? Elevated indican suggests abnormal bacterial activity and impaired protein absorption; normal levels typically indicate balanced gut flora. Always review results with a healthcare provider for clinical interpretation.
Can I retake this test? Yes, repeat testing helps monitor treatment effectiveness and track improvements in gut health over time.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Indican Urine Test measures indican concentration in urine to screen for potential digestive and gastrointestinal disorders. Indican is a byproduct of bacterial tryptophan metabolism in your intestines. When digestion is inefficient or bacterial overgrowth occurs, indican levels rise and spill into urine. While this test cannot diagnose a specific condition, elevated results provide valuable clues about dysbiosis, SIBO, and malabsorption—pointing toward targeted treatments and dietary adjustments (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is ideal for individuals with chronic digestive symptoms, including bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and unexplained fatigue. It's also useful for those with suspected SIBO, suspected malabsorption, or autoimmune digestive conditions like Celiac disease or Crohn's disease. Health-conscious adults seeking early detection of dysbiosis before symptoms worsen benefit greatly. Additionally, patients already diagnosed with digestive disorders can use repeat testing to monitor treatment progress (NIH 2023).
When should I order an Indican Urine Test?
Order this test when experiencing persistent gastrointestinal symptoms or when you want to investigate your digestive health more thoroughly. It's particularly valuable if you suspect SIBO, experience chronic bloating or gas, or notice malabsorption signs like weight changes or nutritional deficiencies. Reorder periodically to monitor the effectiveness of dietary changes, probiotics, or medical interventions addressing gut health (CDC 2025).
How do I interpret the results?
None Detected (Normal):
- What it means: Balanced gut flora and normal protein digestion
- Typical action: Maintain healthy lifestyle habits; retest periodically if recommended
1+ (Borderline):
- What it means: Mild imbalance in gut bacteria or early signs of protein digestion issues
- Typical action: Monitor symptoms; consider small dietary adjustments and retesting if needed
2+ (Weakly Positive):
- What it means: Moderate dysbiosis or impaired protein digestion
- Typical action: Consider dietary changes, probiotics, and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms are present
3+ (Positive):
- What it means: Significant bacterial overgrowth or protein malabsorption
- Typical action: Consult a healthcare provider; further testing (e.g., breath tests) may be recommended
4+ (Strongly Positive):
- What it means: Severe dysbiosis or pronounced malabsorption
- Typical action: Seek medical evaluation; discuss targeted treatment options such as antimicrobial therapy
Approximately 15–20% of adults have SIBO, making indican testing a valuable first-line screening tool when combined with clinical symptoms (NIH 2023).
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.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required before collecting your sample. If possible, avoid excessive protein intake for 48–72 hours prior to testing, as high protein consumption can temporarily elevate indican levels. Avoid starting new antibiotics immediately before the test, as these can suppress bacterial activity and affect results. Collect a random urine sample in the provided sterile container, refrigerate immediately if not shipping same-day, and follow all lab instructions carefully to ensure sample integrity.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial screening for symptoms: Once; repeat after 6–8 weeks if treating dysbiosis
- Monitoring treatment effectiveness: Every 6–12 weeks during intervention
- Preventive health tracking (asymptomatic): Annually or as directed by healthcare provider
- Post-treatment confirmation: 4–6 weeks after completing dysbiosis treatment
Why early detection matters
Early identification of elevated indican helps you address dysbiosis and malabsorption before they progress to serious complications like malnutrition, chronic fatigue, or systemic inflammation. Catching these imbalances early allows time for targeted dietary adjustments, probiotic therapy, and lifestyle modifications—all less invasive and more cost-effective than later medical interventions (CDC 2025). Addressing gut health early also improves energy, mood, and immune function, significantly enhancing overall quality of life.
Related tests you may consider
Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential – Screens for anemia or infection related to malabsorption
Albumin, Serum – Measures serum albumin levels to help assess protein nutritional status, liver function, and conditions that may affect protein absorption or loss.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis (CDSA) - Doctor's Data Test Kit – Assesses beneficial bacteria, pathogens, and digestive enzyme function
