Gut Health

Avita MD provides gut health evaluation and treatment for adults at our clinics in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Los Gatos. We take a functional medicine approach, working to find the root cause of digestive symptoms. We diagnose and manage conditions including SIBO, IBS, acid reflux, food sensitivities, eczema and acne, and chronic constipation or diarrhea. We also offer advanced testing such as SIBO breath tests, comprehensive stool and microbiome panels, and food sensitivity testing. On-site phlebotomy is available at all locations.

We are a physician-owned practice with 12 providers and same-day appointment availability. We accept Medicare, most major PPO plans, and HMO plans.

Common Digestive Conditions We Treat

Digestive symptoms are among the most common reasons adults visit a doctor, and they are also among the most commonly dismissed. If you have been told your labs are normal and you should eat more fiber, yet you are still dealing with daily discomfort, you deserve a more thorough evaluation.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

IBS affects an estimated 10 to 15 percent of adults and causes abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and altered bowel habits. We evaluate the full picture, checking for underlying causes like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), food sensitivities, and stress-related gut dysfunction, and build a management plan that goes beyond generic dietary advice.

Acid Reflux and GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes heartburn, regurgitation, chest discomfort, and sometimes chronic cough or throat clearing. We evaluate your symptoms, adjust medications if you have been on long-term acid suppressants, and address lifestyle factors that contribute to reflux.

Bloating and Food-Related Symptoms

Persistent bloating, gas, and discomfort after eating can be caused by food sensitivities, SIBO, enzyme deficiencies, or dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria). We use targeted testing to identify the cause rather than relying on trial-and-error elimination diets alone.

Chronic Constipation and Diarrhea

We evaluate persistent constipation or diarrhea by checking for thyroid dysfunction, medication side effects, infection, inflammatory bowel disease markers, and malabsorption. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, not just symptom management.

Advanced Gut Health Testing

When standard evaluation does not explain your symptoms, we offer advanced testing. We work with established laboratory partners such as US BioTek for specialized panels:

• SIBO breath testing: Measures hydrogen and methane gases after a sugar solution to screen for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, a common cause of bloating, gas, and irregular bowel habits.
• Comprehensive stool and microbiome analysis: Evaluates your gut microbiome composition, digestive enzyme activity, inflammation markers (calprotectin, lactoferrin), short-chain fatty acids, and the presence of parasites, yeast, or pathogenic bacteria.
• Food sensitivity panels: Measures IgG immune responses to a wide range of foods. Unlike true food allergies (IgE-mediated), food sensitivities can cause delayed reactions that are difficult to identify without testing.
• H. pylori testing: Helicobacter pylori infection is a common cause of gastritis and ulcers. We test through blood, breath, or stool methods.
• Celiac screening: Blood tests for tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies to screen for celiac disease.
• Inflammatory markers: Blood-based tests for systemic inflammation that may be related to gut dysfunction.

The Gut and Whole-Body Health

Your gut does far more than digest food. It houses roughly 70% of your immune system, produces neurotransmitters that affect mood and cognition, and influences inflammation throughout your body. Patients often come to Avita MD with symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, skin problems such as eczema and acne, joint pain, or mood changes that end up having a gut-related component.

Once testing points to a cause, we build a treatment protocol and work with you to follow it. Our registered dietitians help translate lab results into a practical eating plan, and most patients notice improvement within 2 to 6 weeks of starting a protocol.

If you are pursuing a comprehensive health evaluation, our executive wellness exam can include gut health testing alongside an expanded metabolic and hormone panel.

When You Need a Gastroenterologist

If your symptoms require endoscopy, colonoscopy, or evaluation for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), we collaborate with Bay Area gastroenterologists at El Camino Health, Stanford, UCSF, and other specialists in the Bay Area. We handle records, prior authorizations, and follow-up.

Schedule Your Gut Health Evaluation

Call Avita MD at (408) 495-5770 or book online. Same-day and next-day appointments are available at our clinics in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Los Gatos. If digestive issues have been affecting your quality of life, let us help you find the cause and treat it properly.