FAQ
How long will it take to get my results?
Once your sample reaches our lab, results are typically ready in 2–3 weeks.
Shipping times vary by location and carrier, but most kits arrive within 5–7 days in each direction.
How do I register my kit?
Each kit includes a unique barcode.
You can enter this barcode in your HelloTummy account to link your sample to your secure dashboard.
Will my information be protected?
Yes. Your sample is processed under a unique internal ID, and your personal details (like name and email) are kept in a separate system.
This means your identity and biology are never stored together.
We never sell identifiable personal information or identifiable microbiome data.
If you choose to opt in, we may use de-identified and aggregated information to help improve algorithms and user experience. De-identified means it cannot reasonably be linked back to you.
Is this a medical test?
No. HelloTummy provides educational and wellness-oriented insights based on your microbiome.
Our test is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.
For health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Will I receive diagnoses for medical conditions?
No. Our test provides research-based interpretations to help you better understand your microbiome, but results are not clinical or diagnostic.
We do not diagnose conditions or provide medical advice.
What type of science do you use?
We use 16S rRNA gene sequencing, performed in a CLIA-certified laboratory.
This method identifies bacterial composition and diversity, allowing us to generate evidence-based, educational microbiome insights.
16S sequencing is not sufficient for medical diagnosis.
What will my results include?
Your results dashboard features:
-Bacterial taxa detected
-Species detected and their relative abundance
-Comparisons to patterns observed across our dataset
-Research-based species summaries in consumer-friendly language
-Detailed scientific explanations with citations
-Shannon diversity
-Rarefaction curves
-Microbial role labels (e.g., mutualist, commensal, pathobiont, organisms with pathogenic strains in literature)
All findings are provided for educational and general wellness purposes.
Do you test for pathogens?
Our sequencing may detect bacterial species that contain pathogenic strains in scientific literature.
We display their relative abundance for educational context only.
This is not a diagnostic test and cannot determine infection, illness, or clinically significant pathogen presence.
If you have concerns about symptoms or infection, please consult a healthcare professional.
Can children use the test?
A parent or legal guardian must activate and manage the test for anyone under 18. If you would like a child-specific report, contact us. The test is the same, but the research is different.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship within the United States only.
International shipping will be added in the future. Contact us if you would like this to become available sooner.
Do you sell my data?
No.
We never sell identifiable personal information or identifiable microbiome data.
How often should I retest?
Many customers choose to retest every 3–6 months to explore changes in their microbiome over time, with some electing to test more frequently or less frequently.