How Amelia Resolved IBS, Depression, Anxiety and Hormonal Imbalances in 9 Months

Amelia's Starting Point

Amelia came to us with one clear goal: to reclaim her energy and manage depression without relying solely on medication. She had exhausted conventional medical options and was looking for an approach that addressed root causes rather than just managing symptoms.

Her health struggles had been building for years. Depression had started in high school and gradually expanded to include chronic fatigue, anxiety, and eventually a diagnosis of adenomyosis. By the time she reached out, her symptom list had grown to include:

• Chronic sinus congestion

• Digestive issues with bloating and heartburn

• Occasional nausea

• IBS-V (variable type)

• Constipation

• Aches and pains

• Acne

• Amenorrhea (absent periods)

• Sleep disturbances

The symptoms seemed unrelated, but they pointed to a common thread: gut dysfunction affecting multiple body systems.

What Testing Revealed

Amelia's initial microbiome test painted a clear picture of what was driving her symptoms:

• Reduced diversity — Limited bacterial variety, compromising resilience

• Very high IBS score — Confirming digestive dysfunction

• High inflammatory bacteria — Contributing to systemic symptoms

• Low beneficial bacterial groups — Lacking the strains that support mood, energy, and immune function

Victoria's analysis identified specific patterns: depleted Lactobacillus populations (only 6 strains detected), absent Bifidobacteria, and critically low Akkermansia muciniphila — a keystone species essential for gut lining integrity.

This explained not just Amelia's digestive symptoms, but also why she was experiencing fatigue, mood issues, and widespread inflammation. Her gut wasn't producing the metabolites needed to support brain function, energy production, and immune regulation.

The Personalised Protocol

Based on Amelia's symptoms and test results, Amanda designed a targeted 6-month protocol addressing her specific imbalances:

Targeted supplementation:

• Specific strains to rebuild depleted bacterial populations

• Prebiotics to feed beneficial bacteria

• Support for stress management and hormonal balance

Dietary adjustments:

• Increased resistant starch to feed SCFA-producing bacteria

• Probiotic-rich foods incorporated into daily routine

• Anti-inflammatory focus

Lifestyle support:

• Stress management strategies (critical given the gut-brain connection)

• Sleep optimisation

Early Progress

Amelia's dedication showed results faster than expected. Within the first two months:

• Digestive symptoms and nausea improved markedly

• Bowel movements became regular

• Energy levels began increasing

Midway through the program, blood tests revealed broader improvements:

• Improved B12 and iron levels

• Reduced liver markers

• Enhanced thyroid markers

Anxiety and depression remained variable — these are complex conditions that don't resolve overnight. However, Amelia was able to reduce her reliance on prescription medication, which had been one of her primary goals.

By the end of the 6-month program:

• Digestive symptoms had resolved entirely

• Energy levels continued climbing

• Mood management, while still a work in progress, had improved significantly

Retest Results: 9 Months From Starting

Three months after completing her initial program, Amelia opted for a retest to measure her progress objectively. The results confirmed what she was experiencing symptomatically.

Bacterial Diversity

Her overall microbiome diversity increased dramatically — 128 points improvement (Krona score from 341 to 469). This matters because diversity equals resilience; a diverse microbiome can better withstand stress, dietary changes, and environmental challenges.

Beneficial Bacteria Flourishing

Lactobacillus: Increased from 6 strains to 17 strains — nearly triple the variety. These bacteria produce compounds that support mood, reduce inflammation, and maintain gut barrier function.

Bifidobacteria: Completely absent in her first test, now recolonised. These species are critical for immune function and producing B vitamins.

Akkermansia muciniphila: Improved from critically low to medium range. This keystone species maintains the protective mucus layer of the gut lining — its increase alone played a significant role in resolving her bloating, heartburn, nausea, and irregular bowel movements.

Inflammatory Bacteria Reduced

Bacteroides vulgatus (an inflammatory species) decreased from 14% to 8%, indicating a shift toward a healthier, less inflammatory gut environment.

New Beneficial Species Emerging

The retest showed new beneficial species that weren't present initially — evidence of ongoing ecosystem restoration. These strains work together to improve mood, manage stress, and produce essential metabolites like B vitamins.

Where Amelia Is Now

Amelia's transformation demonstrates what's possible when gut health is addressed comprehensively:

Resolved:

• All digestive symptoms (bloating, heartburn, nausea, irregular bowels)

• Energy restored

• Skin improvements

• Better sleep

Significantly improved:

• Depression and anxiety management

• Reduced medication dependence

• Hormonal markers

• Overall quality of life

Ongoing:

• Mood management remains a focus, but with a much stronger foundation

• Maintenance protocol to preserve microbiome gains

Amelia's case illustrates an important point: gut health affects far more than digestion. Her depression, fatigue, hormonal issues, and skin problems all had roots in microbiome dysfunction. Addressing the gut addressed the whole picture.

Could This Approach Help You?

If Amelia's story resonates — if you're dealing with symptoms that seem unrelated, if you've tried conventional approaches without lasting results, if you suspect your gut might be at the centre of your health challenges — comprehensive testing can reveal what's actually happening.

At Prana Thrive, every test is analysed by Amanda (who has personally reviewed over 2,000 microbiome tests) with scientific oversight from Victoria, our in-house microbiologist. This combination of clinical pattern recognition and microbiological expertise is what allows us to identify the specific imbalances driving your symptoms.

Our AIM Method™ (Analyse → Integrate → Monitor) provides:

• Analyse: Comprehensive testing reveals your unique microbiome picture — not assumptions based on symptoms alone

• Integrate: A personalised protocol targeting your specific imbalances, not generic recommendations

• Monitor: Follow-up testing to confirm changes and adjust as needed — the approach that showed Amelia's dramatic improvements

Book a free 15-minute evaluation call to discuss your symptoms and find out if our approach is right for you.

Book Your Free Evaluation Call

Related Articles:

• What Is Akkermansia muciniphila?

• Lactobacillus reuteri: Benefits and Functions

• The Gut-Brain Connection and Mood

• Psychobiotics: Bacteria That Affect Your Mind

• What Is Resistant Starch?

Service Pages:

• IBS Specialist Australia

• Gut Microbiome Testing