What does an MMP-9 (Matrix Metalloproteinase 9) level of 0.9 indicate on the Gut Zoomer stool test?

MMP-9 Level of 0.9 on Gut Zoomer Stool Test

An MMP-9 level of 0.9 on the Gut Zoomer stool test is extremely low and likely indicates minimal to no active intestinal barrier disruption or mucosal inflammation at the time of testing.

Understanding MMP-9 in Intestinal Health

What MMP-9 Measures:

• MMP-9 (Matrix Metalloproteinase-9) is a zinc-dependent proteolytic enzyme that degrades extracellular matrix components, particularly collagen IV in the intestinal basement membrane 1
• Elevated MMP-9 in stool reflects active intestinal epithelial tight junction barrier disruption and mucosal inflammation, commonly seen in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 1
• MMP-9 disrupts intestinal barrier function through NF-κB pathway activation, leading to increased intestinal permeability 1

Clinical Interpretation of Low MMP-9

Your Result of 0.9:

• A value of 0.9 falls well below typical elevated ranges seen in active intestinal inflammation
• This suggests intact intestinal barrier function and absence of significant mucosal inflammation at the molecular level
• Low MMP-9 does not rule out all gastrointestinal pathology, but specifically indicates no active barrier disruption mediated by this enzyme 1

Important Clinical Context

Limitations of Isolated MMP-9 Testing:

• The Gut Zoomer is not a validated diagnostic test endorsed by major gastroenterology societies (AGA, BSG, ECCO) for IBD or intestinal inflammation 2
• Established fecal biomarkers for intestinal inflammation include calprotectin (threshold >150 μg/g for moderate-severe inflammation) and lactoferrin (threshold >7.25 μg/g), which have defined diagnostic performance characteristics 2, 3
• MMP-9 alone lacks the validation, standardized cutoff values, and clinical utility data that calprotectin and lactoferrin possess for guiding treatment decisions 2

When to Consider Further Evaluation:

• If you have gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain), pursue validated testing with fecal calprotectin or lactoferrin rather than relying on MMP-9 alone 2
• For suspected IBD, fecal calprotectin >150 mg/g has 71% sensitivity and 69% specificity for moderate-severe endoscopic inflammation, making it the preferred biomarker 2
• Endoscopic evaluation remains the gold standard for diagnosing mucosal inflammation and should be pursued when clinical suspicion is high, regardless of biomarker results 2

Clinical Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not use MMP-9 as a standalone marker for diagnosing or excluding intestinal inflammation, as it lacks validation in clinical guidelines 2
• Do not assume normal gut health based solely on low MMP-9, as other pathologies (microscopic colitis, celiac disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) may not elevate this marker 1
• Do not delay appropriate workup if symptomatic—pursue validated fecal biomarkers (calprotectin, lactoferrin) or endoscopy based on clinical presentation 2