Living with IBS: How a microbiome test gave Lasse answers his doctors couldn't

 “The doctors have said that it's probably just something I have to learn to live with, as it has become a chronic condition.”

In 2013, Lasse Kaltoft was on holiday in Thailand when he came down with diarrhea, something most people have probably experienced on a trip to places like Thailand. But for Lasse Kaltoft, it did not stop after finishing a course of antibiotics, and he was given the diagnosis: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Eight years after that holiday - he still hade not recovered.

"It shows up as very inconsistent stool consistency, and it is especially in the mornings that I often have to go to the toilet several times. The way things are now, it is something I have to live with, as the doctors have no further treatment options left to try."

Lasse was, among other things, treated with antibiotics and he was having healthy bacterial cultures introduced into his large intestine, but this has only worked to a very limited extent and usually only for short periods.

Optimizing the gut health

Lasse Kaltoft found his way to Unseen Bio's microbiome test and had his bacterial composition analyzed twice over the past year. By getting a tailored mapping of his gut microbiome, it gave him a chance to explore whether there were ways he could improve his condition with irritable bowel syndrome.

"It was super interesting for me to find out which specific gut microbiomes are causing the problems in my gut flora. Right now there is not a lot you can do about it, but in the long run it could become really useful. Either way, it was also reassuring to find out that there is nothing more seriously wrong with me."

Do you also want to see how you can improve your gut health - then get insight with a microbiome test from Unseen Bio.

Hear more about IBS and the gut microbiome connection in our podcast episode with doctor and gut specialist Alice Højer.