What’s the Best Probiotic?
(It Depends — Here’s Why)
One of the most common questions I get is “What probiotic should I take?”
The honest answer is that the best probiotic for you depends on what’s happening in your gut. Different strains do very different things, and in some cases probiotics can make symptoms worse if they’re not the right fit.
Many people have already tried one or two probiotics before finding this page — sometimes with little improvement, or even more bloating — which is usually a sign that the type of probiotic didn’t match what the gut actually needed.
This is why, when possible, I recommend starting with testing. A GI-MAP stool test allows us to see what bacteria are already present, whether certain microbes may be overgrown, and what type of support is most likely to be helpful.
That said, if testing isn’t possible right now, there are a few probiotic types that tend to be better tolerated and more broadly supportive for many people.
The product links below open through my Fullscript dispensary.
Fullscript allows me to provide professional-grade supplements at a 20–25% discount once you create a free account, with pricing visible after sign-up.
Your discount is automatically applied to all future orders.
Saccharomyces boulardii (a.k.a. Sacc B or S. Boulardii)
Saccharomyces boulardii is different from most probiotics because it’s actually a beneficial yeast rather than a bacteria.
Instead of permanently colonizing the gut, it works temporarily while you’re taking it, which makes it easier for many people to tolerate — especially if traditional probiotics tend to cause bloating.
Sacc B may be helpful for:
Supporting healthy stool consistency
Helping maintain balance when yeast or opportunistic organisms are present
Supporting gut barrier and immune function
Providing support after antibiotic use or travel
Why it’s often well tolerated
Because it’s a yeast, it doesn’t permanently colonize the gut, which is one reason many people tolerate it well.
It’s often used as short-term support rather than a long-term daily probiotic.
Best for: Inconsistent digestion, post-antibiotic support, or when traditional probiotics tend to cause bloating.
Note: product links open through my Fullscript dispensary, so pricing is visible once you create a free account. My dispensary discount (20–25% off retail) is applied automatically.
Spore-Based Probiotics (Megasporebiotic)
Spore-based probiotics work a little differently than traditional probiotics.
These organisms are naturally protected by a spore shell, which allows them to survive stomach acid and reach the intestines more effectively. Rather than trying to replace existing bacteria, they help support a healthier gut environment so beneficial bacteria can rebalance more naturally.
This can make them a helpful starting point for people who have reacted poorly to traditional probiotics in the past.
Spore-based probiotics may be helpful for:
People who experience bloating with traditional probiotics
Supporting gut balance without introducing very large amounts of bacteria
Situations where digestion feels sensitive or reactive
Supporting microbial diversity over time
Best for:
Sensitive digestion, probiotic intolerance, or supporting gut balance without introducing large amounts of new bacteria
My favorite is MegaSpore:
Traditional Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium Blends
These are what most people think of when they hear the word “probiotic.”
For some individuals, these blends can be helpful for general digestive and immune support. However, they aren’t always the best starting point, especially if bloating, gas, or histamine sensitivity are already present.
Traditional probiotic blends may be helpful when:
Digestion is relatively stable
Probiotics have been well tolerated in the past
The goal is general maintenance rather than symptom support
As with all probiotics and supplements, individual response can vary.
Best for: General digestive and immune support when digestion is relatively stable and probiotics have been well tolerated in the past.
A Final Note on Probiotics
Probiotics can be helpful tools, but they aren’t always the first place I start. In many cases, mineral balance, digestion, or the gut environment itself needs support before adding bacteria.
This is why testing can be so helpful — it allows us to choose the right support at the right time instead of guessing, and often prevents unnecessary trial and error.
If you’re unsure where to start, GI-MAP stool testing can help take the guesswork out of the process and make probiotic choices much more targeted.
NutrEval
NutrEval is a blood and urine test that identifies key nutritional deficiencies. The NutrEval evaluates overall nutritional status to determine personalized supplementation needs for antioxidants, B-vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, digestive support, and other select nutrients.
NutrEval testing is effective for client concerns such as:
Mood disorder
Depression
Anxiety
Fatigue
Digestive Complaints
Chronic Pain/Inflammatory Conditions
Musculoskeletal
Migraine
Cardiovascular Risk
Weight Issues/Dietary Guidance
General Health and Sports Fitness Optimization
To see a sample NutrEval report, click here
Toorder your own NutrEval click here
GI Map Test for Gut Health
To order your own GI Map with practitioner interpretation, click here.
GI-MAP Stool Testing: Understanding What’s Happening in Your Gut
The GI-MAP (Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus), offered by Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, is a comprehensive stool test designed to evaluate gut health by analyzing the bacteria, parasites, viruses, fungi, and key markers involved in digestion and inflammation.
Using advanced qPCR technology, the GI-MAP measures microbial levels with a high degree of sensitivity, helping identify imbalances that may be contributing to digestive symptoms, immune challenges, hormone issues, and ongoing inflammation.
While many people try probiotics, elimination diets, or supplements based on guesswork, the GI-MAP helps answer an important question first: what is actually happening in your gut?
Why Someone Might Consider GI-MAP Testing
A GI-MAP test may be helpful if you experience:
Bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn and reflux, or excessive burping
Food sensitivities or difficulty tolerating certain foods
Hormone imbalances, weight changes, or skin concerns like eczema
Frequent illness or low immune resilience
Low energy or brain fog without a clear cause
Ongoing symptoms after antibiotic use
Digestive symptoms that have not improved with general gut protocols
Many people also choose GI-MAP testing when they feel like they’ve tried "all the gut things" without clear improvement and want more specific direction.
The test can be completed at home, making it a convenient and non-invasive way to gather meaningful data about gut function.
What the GI-MAP Measures
The GI-MAP analyzes over 40 different microorganisms and functional markers, including:
Commensal (beneficial) bacteria
Opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria, including H. Pylori (the most common cause of ulcers)
Parasites, viruses, and fungi/yeast
Inflammatory markers such as calprotectin
Digestive markers related to enzyme function and absorption
Immune markers such as secretory IgA
This allows practitioners to see not only what is present, but how the gut environment is functioning as a whole.
Why Interpretation Matters
One of the biggest misconceptions about stool testing is that results are straightforward. In reality, gut findings require context.
For example:
The same bacteria may be harmless in one person but problematic in another depending on immune markers and symptoms.
Low beneficial bacteria may require support before addressing pathogens.
Elevated inflammatory markers change how aggressively protocols should be approached.
Certain findings may explain why probiotics or supplements previously made symptoms worse.
Without interpretation, it’s easy to over-treat, use unnecessary supplements, or focus on the wrong priority.
Practitioner interpretation helps translate the data into a structured plan - identifying what needs to be addressed first, what can wait, and how to support the gut without overwhelming the system.
When GI-MAP May Not Be Recommended
GI-MAP testing may not be appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as gut protocols sometimes involve antimicrobial or detoxification strategies that are not recommended during these times.
The Goal of GI-MAP Testing
The goal is not simply to find pathogens, but to understand patterns.
By identifying microbial imbalances, inflammation, and digestive function markers together, GI-MAP testing allows for more targeted and personalized support - often reducing trial-and-error and helping people move forward with clearer direction.
Read an example of a GI Map report here.
To order your own GI Map with practitioner interpretation, click here.
Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH)
What is the DUTCH test?
The DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) is an advanced at-home hormone test that looks at how your body produces, uses, and clears hormones, not just whether levels are technically ‘in range’.
Unlike standard blood or saliva testing, DUTCH evaluates:
Sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA) and how they are metabolized
Daily cortisol patterns (free cortisol and total cortisol output)
Melatonin (6-OHMS) and sleep rhythm
Markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and detoxification
Select organic acids that offer insight into nutrient status, gut health, neurotransmitter activity, and mitochondrial function
This layered approach helps connect symptoms to patterns, rather than isolated lab values.
To order a DUTCH Complete test and practitioner analysis, click here.
How DUTCH Helps With Womens Hormone Health
Hormonal symptoms in women are rarely caused by just one hormone being too high or too low. More often, the issue is imbalance, poor hormone clearance, stress signaling, or shifts throughout the menstrual cycle.
DUTCH testing can be especially helpful for women dealing with:
PMS, PMDD, or worsening symptoms in the luteal phase
Irregular or missing periods
Perimenopause or early menopause symptoms
Infertility or cycle irregularities
Weight gain that does not respond to diet or exercise
Fatigue, burnout, or poor stress tolerance
Anxiety, mood swings, or sleep disturbances
Hair loss, acne, or changes in skin health
Low libido or cycle-related migraines
Because DUTCH shows both hormone levels and metabolites, we can see whether symptoms are related to low production, poor detoxification, stress-driven shifts, or nervous system signaling - which is often missed on bloodwork alone.
We can see if there are patterns of estrogen dominance (and if the issue is actually estrogen, or need to increase progesterone - you can have estrogen dominance and low estrogens at the same time!), higher androgen activity, or need for adrenal support - and prioritize support where you need it the most.
Cortisol, Stress, and the Bigger Picture
In addition to reproductive hormones, DUTCH provides a detailed look at cortisol rhythm and total cortisol output throughout the day.
This is critical because chronic stress can:
Suppress progesterone
Alter estrogen metabolism
Drive inflammation and blood sugar instability
Disrupt sleep and energy production
Worsen PMS, anxiety, and perimenopause symptoms
Seeing how cortisol behaves over the course of the day allows for much more targeted support, rather than generic stress recommendations.
Is DUTCH Only for Women?
No - DUTCH can be valuable for men as well!
As testosterone and DHEA naturally decline with age and stress, many men experience symptoms sometimes referred to as andropause. DUTCH helps identify whether symptoms are related to hormone production, metabolism, cortisol patterns, or lifestyle-related stressors.
Common symptoms in men include:
Loss of muscle mass or strength
Abdominal weight gain
Chronic fatigue or brain fog
Reduced motivation or confidence
Low libido or changes in sexual health
Lifestyle factors like poor sleep, toxin exposure, chronic stress, and metabolic dysfunction can accelerate these changes, and DUTCH helps clarify where support is needed.
DUTCH Complete vs. DUTCH Cycle Mapping
For many women, testing hormones at a single point in the menstrual cycle is sufficient. In other cases, symptoms fluctuate enough that we need to map hormone patterns across the cycle to fully understand what is happening.
When adding DUTCH Cycle Mapping to DUTCH Complete Is Recommended:
Infertility or fertility challenges
Cycling hormones without regular bleeding
Partial hysterectomy (ovaries intact, uterus removed)
Endometrial ablation
Mirena IUD with ongoing hormonal symptoms
Irregular or unpredictable cycles
PCOS
Shifting or short luteal phases
Unsure when to test due to long or short cycles
Symptoms that change throughout the cycle (PMS, spotting, migraines, mood shifts)
When DUTCH Complete Is Usually Sufficient:
Postmenopausal women
Women on hormonal birth control
Women with predictable cycles and stable timing
Ready to Get Started?
To order a DUTCH Complete test and practitioner analysis, click here.
(A 7-minute example video walkthrough can be found here!)
To order a DUTCH Cycle mapping test and practitioner analysis, click here.
Or please reach out with questions to: Kelly.Shea.FDNP@gmail.com
Example of the first page of a DUTCH Complete pictured below:
Organic Acid Test (OAT)
The Organic Acids Test (OAT) is a comprehensive test that gives metabolic insight into a person’s overall health. There are dozens of markers on the organic acids test including vitamins and antioxidants, oxidative stress, energy production, detoxification, neurotransmitter levels, oxalates, and intestinal yeast and bacteria. The test is a simple, non-invasive, at home urine test that gives a great deal of information.
To order your own OAT test kit with practitioner interpretation, click here.
Effective for client concerns such as:
Mood Disorders
Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Fatigue
Chronic Stress
Inflammation
The report assesses important metabolic pathways and includes personalized micronutrient recommendations for vitamin and mineral cofactors, as well as digestive support recommendations based on a persons individual biochemical metabolism.
MRT Test
MRT Food Sensitivity Testing: Identifying Hidden Food-Related Inflammation
To order your own MRT test with practitioner interpretation, see this page.
There are 3 categories of diet-induced inflammatory reactions: allergy, autoimmune disease, and sensitivities. Of the 3, sensitivities are the most prevalent.
The MRT (Mediator Release Test), offered through Oxford Biomedical Technologies, is a blood test designed to identify food and food-chemical sensitivities that may be contributing to inflammation in the body.
Unlike food allergies, which create immediate and often obvious reactions, food sensitivities can produce delayed or subtle symptoms that are difficult to connect back to specific foods. These reactions may occur hours or even days after eating, making them especially hard to identify through elimination diets alone.
For many people, this creates a pattern of ongoing symptoms without clear answers - even when they feel like they are eating "healthy."
The MRT test helps identify which foods and food chemicals are triggering an inflammatory response so that dietary changes can be made in a targeted and structured way.
Understanding Food Reactions
There are three primary categories of diet-related immune reactions:
Food allergies (IgE-mediated), which are immediate and can be severe
Autoimmune reactions, where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues
Food sensitivities, which involve inflammatory mediator release without a true allergy
Food sensitivities are the most common of the three and are often associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation rather than immediate symptoms.
This type of inflammation can contribute to symptoms such as:
Digestive discomfort or IBS-type symptoms
Migraines or headaches
Skin issues
Fatigue or brain fog
Joint discomfort
Mood or focus changes
Sleep disturbances
Food sensitivities are rarely the only cause of these symptoms, but they can act as an ongoing stressor that makes other health issues harder to resolve.
How MRT Testing Works
The MRT uses a live blood sample to measure how white blood cells respond when exposed to specific foods and food chemicals. Rather than measuring antibodies, the test quantifies the release of inflammatory mediators - substances involved in the inflammatory response.
This allows the test to identify reactions that may not appear on traditional allergy or antibody-based food sensitivity testing.
The MRT evaluates a wide range of foods, additives, and food chemicals, providing a clearer picture of which foods may be contributing to inflammation and which are least reactive for the individual.
Why Interpretation Matters
One of the biggest mistakes with food sensitivity testing is removing too many foods or staying restricted for too long.
The goal of MRT testing is not long-term avoidance, but strategic, temporary removal of reactive foods to reduce inflammation and allow the body to stabilize.
Practitioner interpretation helps:
Prioritize which foods to remove first
Prevent overly restrictive diets
Create a structured reintroduction plan
Identify patterns that may point to underlying gut or immune issues
Integrate results with other testing or symptoms
Without interpretation, many people either eliminate unnecessary foods or struggle to implement the results effectively.
MRT Testing May Be Recommended If:
You feel like you’re eating well but still don’t feel your best
Symptoms seem inconsistent or hard to trace to specific foods
Digestive, skin, or inflammatory symptoms persist despite dietary changes
You want a structured way to identify potential food triggers
You are willing to temporarily remove reactive foods to evaluate improvement
MRT Testing May Not Be Recommended If:
You are looking to confirm a known food allergy
You are unable to have blood drawn
Your current diet is already extremely limited
You are not willing to temporarily remove foods during the testing phase
You live in New York State and are not willing to travel out of state for the blood draw (state regulations require this)
The Goal of MRT Testing
The goal is not to create a permanent restrictive diet, but to reduce inflammatory load so the body has an opportunity to heal and symptoms can be evaluated more clearly.
When used appropriately, MRT testing can help remove guesswork and provide a clearer starting point for nutrition decisions moving forward.
To read more about the Oxford Biomedical MRT, click here.
MRT testing is often recommended alongside GI-MAP stool testing, because gut health directly affects how the immune system responds to foods. Identifying and supporting underlying gut imbalances helps prevent unnecessary long-term food restrictions and these makes results more actionable.
Example report example below (does not show practitioner interpretation and individualized analysis that comes with our package, but shows the broad range of foods tested):
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
If You Feel Like Something Is Off — But Labs Keep Coming Back 'Normal'
You’re exhausted but pushing through.
Your sleep isn’t restorative.
Your weight won’t budge — or is shifting unexpectedly.
Your mood feels more fragile than it used to.
You’ve cleaned up your diet. You take supplements. You try to manage stress.
And yet… something still feels off.
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is often the missing layer — because it shows how your body has been adapting to stress over time.
What Is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)?
HTMA is a non-invasive functional lab that measures mineral levels and key mineral ratios from a small hair sample.
Unlike bloodwork — which shows what is circulating today — HTMA reflects patterns from the last 3-4 months. It shows how your body has been coping, compensating, and adapting.
And adaptation is where dysfunction begins.
This makes HTMA especially helpful for identifying chronic patterns that often fly under the radar.
Minerals are not just nutrients. They are electrical regulators of the body.
They influence:
Thyroid hormone signaling
Adrenal stress response
Blood sugar regulation
Nervous system tone
Hormone production
Detoxification pathways
Mitochondrial energy production
If minerals are out of balance, the body has to compensate. And those compensations are what often show up as symptoms.
(Already convinced? To order this test, click here.)
What HTMA Does (and Does Not) Tell Us
HTMA is a non-diagnostic screening tool, meaning it does not diagnose disease. Instead, it helps us understand:
Mineral deficiencies and excesses
Key mineral ratios that influence thyroid function, blood sugar regulation, and adrenal health
Metabolic patterns (slow vs fast oxidation)
Stress adaptation over time
Trends in toxic metal exposure
The real value comes from interpreting the patterns together, not looking at any single mineral in isolation.
Why Hair Is Used for Mineral and Metal Testing
Hair is recognized as a useful tissue for assessing certain mineral and toxic metal trends because it reflects what has been stored and excreted over time, rather than what is circulating at that exact moment.
Because minerals and metals are incorporated into hair as it grows, HTMA can offer insight into longer-term exposure that may not show up clearly in blood or urine testing.
Is HTMA Accurate?
Hair mineral testing has been used in research for decades to assess long-term mineral status and toxic metal exposure.
Hair reflects what the body has stored and excreted over time. It is not meant to replace blood testing — it provides different information.
Blood shows what is tightly regulated in the moment.
Hair shows what has been happening behind the scenes.
When interpreted correctly — looking at ratios and patterns rather than single numbers — HTMA can reveal trends that traditional labs miss.
How HTMA Is Used
A full HTMA report and practitioner interpretation can help guide:
Targeted dietary adjustments
Strategic supplementation (rather than guessing)
Mineral repletion after stress, illness, pregnancy, or long-term depletion
Decisions about whether additional testing is needed (hormones, gut, etc.)
HTMA is often a starting point, especially when symptoms feel vague, chronic, or unexplained.
Why Not Just Supplement Without Testing?
Mineral balance is highly individualized.
For example:
Magnesium may be low in one person but functionally excessive relative to calcium in another.
Zinc supplementation can be helpful in one pattern and disruptive in another.
Iron may appear low on bloodwork but show a completely different picture in tissue patterns.
HTMA helps prevent well-intentioned over-supplementation and allows us to move strategically rather than reactively.
HTMA May Be Helpful If You Are:
Struggling with fatigue, poor stress tolerance, or burnout
Experiencing weight changes, blood sugar swings, or thyroid-related symptoms
Dealing with headaches, poor sleep, anxiety, or mood changes
Experiencing unexplained infertility
Recovering from pregnancy, breastfeeding, illness, or a prolonged stressful period
Eating a restricted diet and concerned about micronutrient sufficiency
Curious about toxic metal exposure
Unsure where to start with functional testing
Willing to make targeted diet or supplement changes based on data
HTMA May Not Be a Good Fit If You:
Are not in a position to make diet or supplement changes right now
Have significant concerns about hair loss and do not want to remove a small sample
Conditions Commonly Influenced by Mineral Imbalances
Mineral imbalances do not cause disease on their own, but they can contribute to dysfunction in many systems. Patterns on HTMA are commonly associated with concerns such as:
Fatigue and low energy
Headaches or migraines
Blood sugar instability
Hair loss
Thyroid disturbances
Mood changes or anxiety
Digestive issues
Joint or muscle discomfort
Cardiovascular stress
Common Contributors to Mineral Imbalance
Mineral imbalances often develop slowly and are influenced by:
Long-term stress
Diet mismatched to metabolic needs
Chronic under-eating or over-exercising
Pregnancy, postpartum, or breastfeeding
Certain medications or hormonal birth control
Toxic metal exposure
Inherited mineral patterns
This is why many people feel like they are doing "all the right things" and still feel off.
Did You Know?
PMS headaches can sometimes be influenced by elevated copper relative to zinc
Zinc status plays a key role in hormone balance, immune health, and male reproductive health
Magnesium deficiency is extremely common due to modern farming and soil depletion
Some people do not tolerate certain supplements well depending on their mineral patterns
Stress alone can significantly shift mineral balance over time
Mineral balancing is not about chasing individual numbers.
It is about:
Understanding metabolic type (slow vs fast oxidation)
Supporting ratios in the right order
Avoiding over-supplementation
Moving the system gradually
I interpret HTMA within the context of your symptoms, health history, diet, stress load, and goals.
When You Order HTMA Through Me, You Receive:
The at-home hair collection kit
A 15+ page written interpretation explaining your specific pattern
Personalized supplement and diet recommendations
A recorded video walkthrough to watch through at your convenience, explaining your results and recommendations
Clear next steps (including whether additional testing makes sense)
Access to ask follow-up questions during your support window
You are not left alone to interpret a chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much hair is removed?
About 1 teaspoon total, cut from underneath layers so it is not visible.
Will this show heavy metal poisoning?
HTMA reflects trends in metal exposure and how your body is handling them. It is not a diagnostic test for acute toxicity.
Can I do this while breastfeeding or pregnant?
Yes, HTMA can be run during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Postpartum is a great time to address mineral depletion! Any recommendations are always adjusted appropriately for that stage of life.
What if my bloodwork is normal?
HTMA often reveals compensatory stress patterns even when bloodwork appears normal.
How long does it take?
Turnaround time for results and recommendations is typically 2-3 weeks after the lab receives your sample.
Is Mineral Balancing a Huge Commitment?
Mineral balancing is a process — but it does not require a life overhaul overnight.
Most plans involve:
Strategic, targeted supplementation
Diet adjustments aligned to your metabolic pattern
Nervous system support
Retesting at appropriate intervals (usually 3-6 months)
The goal is not perfection. It’s gradual recalibration.
Many clients notice improvements in energy, mood stability, or stress tolerance before their next retest.
Mineral imbalances don’t happen overnight — and they don’t correct overnight either. But when we support the body at a foundational level, everything else becomes easier.
Energy becomes steadier.
Hormones become more resilient.
Stress feels more manageable.
HTMA helps us stop chasing symptoms and start supporting the terrain.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are tired of guessing — and ready for a clearer roadmap — HTMA is often the most foundational place to begin.
To order your own HTMA kit with practitioner interpretation, click here or use the form below the sample report.
To order your own HTMA kit and get started, click here.