Precision microbiome insights for families

Tiny Health is the most comprehensive and accessible at-home gut and vaginal microbiome test for families. We help you make informed decisions with the power of deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing.

How do we look at the microbiome?

Highest resolution analysis

Tiny Health uses shotgun metagenomics, the gold standard in microbiome research. You get a comprehensive list of all types of microbes found in your gut or vaginal sample, with strain-level precision for key species. Our tests identify over 120,000 bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoan parasites—down to a 0.005% relative abundance.

Breakthrough insights

Through functional profiling, we can tell you which microbial genes are present and their abundance levels. This gives us an idea of what the microbes are actually doing.

Our reference ranges and metrics are based on published research and our rapidly growing database of microbiome samples. We have the largest repository of longitudinal pregnancy and baby microbiome samples in the world—helping us advance the science of microbiome health in early life.

Targeted suggestions

Our focus is on prevention, gut health development in the first 1000 days of life, and getting to the root cause of health conditions. We provide actionable advice tailored to your age and unique test results.

No other company delivers our strain-level identification and precision science through at-home tests for the whole family.

Unbiased recommendations

We recommend evidence-based supplements in the market and empower you to pick your own supplements based on the specific strains that may support your specific gut, because we do not believe in a one-size-fits all approach to supplements.

How does our tech compare?

Tiny Health vs 16s tests

Outdated 16s amplicon (16s) sequencing offers a low resolution view of the microbiome, with a high rate of false positives.

Tiny Health vs. qPCR tests

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR or PCR) tests are highly specific. But being too specific leads to missing the bigger and more important picture—your overall microbiome health.

Tiny Health vs. mRNA/RNA tests

By analyzing your microbial DNA, we provide you with evidence-based diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations. Other tests rely on mRNA (or RNA) which degrades quickly and is easily influenced by factors like time of day and the last thing you ate.

Frequently asked questions

What is metagenomics? What is shotgun sequencing?

Metagenomics is the study of genetic material from all organisms in a sample by a method called sequencing. Through metagenomic sequencing, Tiny Health uses the nucleic acids in microbial DNA to identify all microbes present in the sample, and in what proportions. This is often referred to as shotgun metagenomics.

The greatest benefit to shotgun sequencing is that it is an unbiased hypothesis-free method. Tests in traditional healthcare settings or from other microbiome companies typically limit their reports to specific species or strains. With Tiny Health, you get the complete picture of your gut or vaginal microbiome and a holistic plan to improve your microbiome health.

How does the Tiny Health sequencing process work?

Once you receive your Tiny Health test, you may take your sample, activate your Kit ID on your Tiny Health account, and complete your intake surveys. You will then mail your sample to our CLIA certified lab, where it will be processed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing technology.

At the lab, the microbial DNA is first extracted from your sample, and then it is run through the sequencer which spits out raw data files called fastQ files. This stage typically takes between 2-3 weeks, because the samples are processed in large batches.

How does the Tiny Health swab preserve the stool or vaginal sample?

Tiny Health collection swabs do not need to be frozen before being returned to the lab for processing. Tiny Health microbiome tests report on microbial markers, by sequencing their DNA. DNA is very stable at ambient temperatures and therefore does not need to be frozen.

Do you test for parasites and worms?

Tiny Health tests for Protists parasites, but does not test for multicellular worms. Testing for worms would require obtaining part of the worm for sequencing during the collection process, which is unlikely with our current collection process. If you suspect you have a parasitic worm please reach out to your provider for the appropriate testing.

Do you test for Candida and H. Pylori?

The short answer is yes, we test for both Candida and H. Pylori. However, these microbes can be harder to detect due to factors such as the conditions under which tests are performed.

Why identify microbes at the strain level?

Shotgun sequencing can be used to identify strain-level differences between microbes. This is important because sometimes the same species are doing very different things depending on which strain they are.

What type of microbiome analysis is right for my needs?

Tiny Health tests look at all bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites in your microbiome using deep metagenomic sequencing. This is the latest and best technology for microbiome analysis used by top research institutions.

What is a CLIA-certified or CAP-accredited lab?

Tiny Health uses CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory partners to sequence microbiome samples. In short, your samples are processed at a clinical-grade lab, held to the highest possible standards.