Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diagnoses in the U.S. More than 10–15% of adults are told they have IBS, often after years of bloating, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unpredictable reactions to food.
But here’s the problem: IBS is a description, not a diagnosis. It tells you what is happening, but not why.
In fact, many patients who come to Longevity Health Clinic with an “IBS diagnosis” don’t have IBS at all—they have undiagnosed gluten sensitivity, food reactions, dysbiosis, microbial overgrowths, infections, inflammation, or malabsorption issues that were never fully evaluated.
The good news is that modern functional testing can identify the true root causes—and once the cause is identified, symptoms often improve dramatically.
This guide explains why IBS is frequently a mislabel, what underlying conditions are commonly missed, and how advanced testing such as the GI-MAP, KBMO FIT food-sensitivity panel, and targeted bloodwork gives us clarity.
The traditional medical definition of IBS requires ruling out structural, inflammatory, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. But in practice, many people receive a diagnosis after only:
What’s not typically checked?
Without evaluating these root causes, IBS becomes a catch-all diagnosis that stops the investigation too early.
At Longevity Health Clinic, the majority of patients with chronic bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain have one or more of the following underlying issues—none of which are technically IBS.
Gluten-related disorders are vastly underdiagnosed. Many patients with “IBS” actually have:
Symptoms often include:
Because standard celiac screening doesn’t detect NCGS, many patients are told their tests are “normal” and that they simply have IBS.
Advanced food-sensitivity testing and inflammatory markers provide a far more accurate picture.
Up to 70% of IBS cases may actually be SIBO.
Overgrowth of bacteria or methane-producing archaea in the small intestine causes:
Breath testing can diagnose SIBO/IMO, but stool testing also provides clues.
Low microbial diversity or overgrowth of certain species disrupts digestion and triggers inflammation.
Common findings include:
This often mirrors IBS symptoms and is highly correctable.
You don’t need international travel to acquire parasites—many are common in the U.S.
Pathogens such as Giardia, Entamoeba, H. pylori, C. difficile, and others can trigger months or years of symptoms.
Many patients with chronic digestive issues have low-grade infections that were never screened because standard stool tests often miss them.
If the pancreas isn’t making enough digestive enzymes, symptoms may include:
This is almost never checked in conventional evaluations.
Inflammation can cause increased intestinal permeability, allowing immune reactions to foods that were previously tolerated.
Common offenders include:
These reactions aren’t allergies—so they don’t show up on IgE testing—but they drive significant gut symptoms.
At Longevity Health Clinic, we go deeper than symptom labels. We evaluate root causes in a structured, evidence-based way using advanced diagnostics.
The GI-MAP is one of the most advanced DNA-based stool tests available and gives high-resolution data on the entire gut ecosystem.
It evaluates:
This single test often explains symptoms that have persisted for years.
The KBMO FIT 176 measures both IgG and complement activation, making it more clinically useful than standard IgG panels.
It identifies:
This is especially helpful for patients whose symptoms flare after meals but who have “normal” allergy testing.
We also run targeted bloodwork, including:
Many cases of gluten sensitivity are missed without a comprehensive evaluation.
Hypothyroidism can worsen constipation and gut inflammation.
Hydrogen and methane breath tests identify small intestinal overgrowth patterns and guide treatment—especially for those with severe bloating or constipation.
Once we’ve identified what’s actually happening in the gut, treatment becomes targeted and effective.
A typical plan may involve:
This is where IBS transforms from a life-limiting condition into a solvable puzzle.
IBS is not a diagnosis—it’s a starting point. A signal that something deeper is happening in the gut.
Advanced testing allows us to uncover the root causes of digestive symptoms and build a personalized, evidence-based plan for healing. For many patients, this is the first time they’ve felt seen, understood, and truly helped.
At Longevity Health Clinic, we take gut health seriously because it affects every system in the body—from immune function to hormones to cognitive performance. If you’ve been told you have IBS but never received an explanation, it’s time for a deeper investigation.
