Blue Horizon Medicals Gut health

Common Gut Parasites (by PCR)

This at-home stool test uses PCR to check for DNA from common protozoal parasites and bacteria such as Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Salmonella and Shigella. It suits people with ongoing gut symptoms; it doesn't cover worms or parasites picked up abroad.

  • At-home test
  • Doctor reviewed
Sample
Stool
Collection
At-home stool sample by post
Results in
5 days
Biomarkers
3
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Tests for
  • Campylobacter
  • Cryptosporidium
  • Salmonella
  • Shigella
  • ST E.coli

Test specifications

Provider
Blue Horizon Medicals
Sample type
stool
Collection method
at-home stool sample by post
Turnaround time
5 days
Biomarkers tested
3
At-home test
Yes
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

5 biomarkers as listed by Blue Horizon Medicals.

  • Campylobacter
  • Cryptosporidium
  • Salmonella
  • Shigella
  • ST E.coli

About this test

This test uses PCR to look for DNA from common protozoal gut parasites and bacteria in the UK, including Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Salmonella and Shigella, from a single at-home stool sample. Blue Horizon is explicit that this is a DNA-based test, not a microscopy exam, and that it doesn't cover worm eggs, helminths or parasites more common outside the UK; if you've recently travelled abroad, the provider suggests a microscopy-based test instead.

There's no named comparison group for this test, so we can't say how it stacks up against similarly priced rivals directly. Against the wider set of gut health tests we track, its £73.25 price sits well below the £108 median, which is the main driver of its strong value score. Its biomarker range and clear listing, covering the sample type, collection and turnaround, support its scores for clinical depth and for clarity and documentation.

A doctor reviews the result, which helps its results and follow-up score, though collection convenience is only middling since it's a postal stool kit rather than a same-day option. Trust signals reflect Blue Horizon's Trustpilot rating of 4.2 from 395 reviews and its UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs, both provider-wide facts rather than specific to this test.

Who is it for?

This suits people with ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms, such as persistent diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort, especially after exposure to untreated water or farm animals in the UK, who want to check for these common parasites and bacteria as a possible cause. Because it's PCR-based, it won't detect worm eggs or helminths.

It's not the right test if you've recently returned from travel overseas or suspect a non-UK parasite: the provider says to contact it about alternative microscopy-based parasitology testing in that case.

How it works

You collect a stool sample at home and post it to the lab, where it's analysed using automated PCR to detect DNA from the parasites and bacteria covered by the test. Results are typically back within 5 days, and a doctor reviews them before you get your report. This is a DNA test, not a microscopy exam, so it doesn't detect worm eggs or non-UK parasites.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Priced well below the £108 median for similar-sized gut health tests we track (-32%).
  • Entirely at-home collection with no clinic visit needed.
  • Uses PCR to test for several common protozoal parasites and bacteria in one go.
  • A doctor reviews your result before you see it.

Cons

  • Doesn't detect worm eggs, helminths or parasites more common outside the UK.
  • Not suitable if you've recently returned from travel abroad; the provider suggests microscopy testing instead.
  • No same-day or nurse-visit collection option; it's a postal kit only.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score PCR stool test for common UK parasites, not worms
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

This PCR stool test costs £73.25, well below the £108 median for the 35 similarly sized gut health tests we track, and it's collected entirely at home with results in 5 days. Blue Horizon doesn't list named peers for this exact test, so we can't compare it head-to-head, but its own description is clear it only covers UK protozoal parasites, not worms or infections picked up abroad.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 9.0/10

    The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 8.9/10

    3 biomarkers, placing it in the 73rd percentile of gut health tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 8.0/10

    A stool sample you take at home, no needle; results in around 5 days, in line with or faster than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 7.0/10

    Results are reviewed by a doctor; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 7.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.2 from 395 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); trading 17+ years.

  • Value for money 8.1/10

    £73.25 against a median of £108.00 for the 35 similarly sized gut health tests we track (-32%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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