Question 1

Is HelloTummy a diagnostic test?

Accepted Answer

No. HelloTummy is a wellness-focused gut microbiome test. It does not diagnose disease or provide medical treatment. The test measures species-level bacterial abundance, microbiome diversity, and population percentiles and provides food- and lifestyle-oriented insights grounded in peer-reviewed microbiome research.

Question 2

What kind of sequencing does HelloTummy use?

Accepted Answer

HelloTummy uses long-read 16S rRNA sequencing to capture the full 16S gene. This improves taxonomic accuracy and species-level resolution compared to short-read 16S tests that sequence only small fragments of the gene. Long-read 16S provides a stable view of gut structure that is well-suited for routine, longitudinal microbiome tracking.

Question 3

How is HelloTummy different from shotgun metagenomics tests?

Accepted Answer

Shotgun metagenomics can measure a broader range of microbial genes, but it is more expensive, often includes noise from host DNA, and can be harder to interpret for routine consumer use. HelloTummy uses long-read 16S rRNA sequencing to focus on stable, species-level abundance and diversity at a much lower cost, enabling repeat testing and clearer diet- and lifestyle-linked insights for most people.

Question 4

Does HelloTummy identify pathogens?

Accepted Answer

HelloTummy reports mutualists, commensals, pathobionts, and known non-clinical pathogens as part of its species-level profile. These findings are presented in a wellness context and are not a substitute for clinical diagnostic testing. Customers can share their results with a healthcare provider for further evaluation if needed.

Question 5

What kind of reports do I receive?

Accepted Answer

HelloTummy provides two types of reports: a customer-friendly version with clear visuals, percentiles, and plain-language explanations, and an advanced scientific report with DOI-linked citations, molecule associations, confidence grading, and explicit notes where the literature contains contradictions.

Question 6

Can I access my raw sequencing data?

Accepted Answer

Yes. HelloTummy provides FASTQ files, rarefaction curves, and sequencing quality-control metrics for each sample, allowing independent verification and deeper analysis by clinicians, researchers, or third-party tools.

Question 7

How does HelloTummy handle privacy and my data?

Accepted Answer

Samples are de-identified upon arrival at the lab, and personal data is stored separately under strict privacy controls. HelloTummy does not sell or share customer data with third parties. Customers may choose to share their results with healthcare providers if they wish.

Question 8

Does HelloTummy sell supplements or probiotics?

Accepted Answer

No. HelloTummy does not sell supplements or probiotics. Reports may reference dietary patterns, molecules, supplements, or probiotic strains discussed in scientific literature, but the service focuses on food- and lifestyle-based guidance and does not monetize supplement or probiotic sales.

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