An “Unhealthy gut” isn’t a formal diagnosis, but the symptoms people describe are very real. Bloating after meals, unpredictable bowel habits, constant tiredness: if that sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it.
I’m Emiy, Founder and Naturopath at Thryve Naturopathy, and I work online with clients across Australia on gut health, including IBS, SIBO and bloating. Here are the seven signs I see most often, plus the important part: which ones need a GP first, and a simple tool you can start today.
7 common signs your gut needs attention
1. Frequent bloating or gas. Occasional bloating is normal. Regular, uncomfortable bloating, especially if it builds through the day, is worth investigating. It’s a key feature of conditions like IBS and SIBO. (See: IBS vs SIBO: what’s the difference?)
2. Constipation, diarrhoea or both. Changes in your usual pattern, or swinging between the two, can point to a range of causes.
3. Abdominal pain or cramping. Pain that comes and goes with meals, stress or bowel movements is something to track, and anything severe or persistent should be checked by a doctor.
4. Reflux or heartburn. Regular reflux affects digestion and comfort, and your GP can check whether it needs treatment.
5. Reactions to certain foods. If particular foods consistently set off symptoms, patterns can offer clues, but don’t cut out food groups without guidance. Restrictive diets can create new problems.
6. Fatigue or low iron. Gut issues and iron can be linked in both directions: digestive problems can affect how well you absorb nutrients, and low iron has many possible causes that need proper investigation. (See: Low iron & gut health.)
7. Symptoms that flare with exercise or stress. If exercise or stressful periods reliably upset your stomach, that’s a useful pattern to note. (See: Why does exercise sometimes upset your gut?)
Skin concerns and mood changes are also sometimes linked with gut health.
When to see your GP first
Some symptoms shouldn’t wait for a naturopath. See your GP promptly if you have:
Blood in your stools or black, tarry stools
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent vomiting or difficulty swallowing
Severe or worsening abdominal pain
Waking at night with bowel symptoms
A new, persistent change in bowel habits
Known low iron or anaemia without a clear cause
A family history of bowel cancer, coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease
Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program also invites people aged 45 to 74 to screen, so if you’re in that range, make sure you’re up to date.
I’d always rather you get checked and be reassured than wait. At Thryve, I work alongside GPs and specialists, and where something needs medical attention, I’ll refer you back.
The takeaway: your free 14-day gut diary
Before any testing or treatment, the most useful thing you can bring to an appointment (with me or your GP) is a clear picture of what’s happening. Here’s how to do it.
Each day for 14 days, record:
What you ate and drank, with approximate times
Symptoms, and when they happened (bloating, pain, reflux, nausea, energy)
Bowel movements, using the Bristol Stool Scale: Types 1 to 2 suggest constipation, 3 to 4 are generally considered ideal, and 5 to 7 suggest loose stools or diarrhoea
Sleep, stress and exercise, rated 1 to 5
Your cycle, if you have one, because hormones can influence digestion
After two weeks, look for patterns:
Do symptoms appear after particular meals, or at a certain time of day?
Do they cluster around stress, poor sleep or certain days of your cycle?
Is there a mix of constipation and diarrhoea, or one dominant pattern?
Don’t change your diet dramatically during the two weeks, since you want an honest baseline. Take your notes to your GP, and bring them to your first appointment with me.
How I approach gut health at Thryve
My approach is evidence-informed, testing-led and focused on root causes. Depending on your case, that might include:
A detailed history, including your diary
Pathology bloods, such as iron studies, inflammation markers and coeliac markers
Microbiome Stool testing, to determine a clear individualised treatment plan
A treatment plan covering diet, targeted supplements and lifestyle, built around your needs and not a one-size-fits-all protocol
Testing is always individual, and sometimes the right answer is less testing, not more. I’ll tell you honestly what’s worth doing.
Book a free discovery call here