Methodology

HelloTummy is a CLIA-validated, wellness-focused gut microbiome test that uses long-read 16S rRNA sequencing to measure accurate, species-level bacterial abundance, microbiome diversity, population prevalence, and percentile ranges. The platform identifies mutualists, commensals, pathobionts, and known non-clinical pathogens to give a comprehensive view of gut ecology and its relationships to digestion, bloating, fatigue, and other wellness-related factors.

Every sample is preserved in a DNA-stabilizing buffer that maintains microbial DNA integrity throughout shipping and temperature changes. All sequencing and analysis are performed fully in-house for consistent quality control. HelloTummy provides both a customer-friendly report and an advanced scientific report that includes DOI-linked citations, molecule-level associations (e.g., SCFAs, bile acids, lactate pathways), and evidence summaries that incorporate dietary, supplement, and probiotic research where applicable. Although supplement and probiotic effects are described when supported by published literature, HelloTummy does not sell, manufacture, or promote supplement products.

Each species includes abundance, percentile ranking, literature-backed insights, and a confidence grade based on strength of evidence, study type, reproducibility, and agreement across publications. Contradictions in the science are explicitly noted wherever evidence diverges. Customers also receive downloadable FASTQ files, rarefaction curves, and sequencing QC metrics, enabling full transparency and optional verification by clinicians, researchers, or external analysis tools. Data is de-identified immediately upon receipt, never sold, never shared, and stored under strict privacy controls.

Compared to short-read 16S, long-read 16S sequences the entire gene, improving species-level accuracy and reducing misclassification, especially for closely related taxa. Compared to shotgun metagenomics, long-read 16S offers clearer species-level abundance, lower noise from host DNA, more stable longitudinal tracking, faster turnaround, and dramatically lower cost, making it the most practical option for routine consumer microbiome testing.

HelloTummy does not diagnose disease or provide medical treatment. Instead, it delivers evidence-based, food- and lifestyle-focused insights grounded in peer-reviewed microbiome literature. With transparent data, population percentiles, in-house CLIA processing, and advanced reporting, HelloTummy offers one of the most scientifically rigorous, affordable, and actionable gut-health testing options available for consumers seeking routine microbiome monitoring.