What is Candida
When the balance of microorganisms in the body is disrupted, either by antibiotics, stress, poor diet, or other factors, Candida can begin to multiply and cause a number of symptoms. This overgrowth of Candida is known as Candidiasis, and it can cause a variety of health problems, including fatigue, digestive issues, skin rashes, and vaginal yeast infections.
What is the Candida Test?
The Candida test is a valuable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections. It can provide an accurate diagnosis of the infection and help your functional medicine practitioner determine the best course of treatment. The test can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of antifungal medications and help determine if the infection is responding to treatment. You can do the test through blood, urine and stool. At the clinic, we prefer using a gut health test in the form of a stool test through one of our partner lab.
Where is the test performed?
The stool test is performed at home and can be done with one, two, or three day samples. The samples should be shipped back in a prepaid package to the lab where they will evaluate it for Candida, bacteria (good and bad), and parasites. The test takes between three to four weeks before the results come back.
The urine test is called the organic acids test and is collected first thing in the morning between 5 to 9 am. The test also takes between three to four weeks before the results come back.
What does the stool cover?
The Candida stool test examines for various indicators covering over 70 different bacteria, worms, parasites and yeasts such as advantageous bacteria including Lactobacillus species and Bifidobacterium species, harmful bacteria like Citrobacter, and the potential existence of any parasites including Blastocystis Hominis, D. Fragilis, and Giardia.
As well as identfying yeast and Candida albicans, it recommends the most appropriate supplements to eliminate the particular strain of yeast or bacteria if the test results are positive.
Organic Acids Test
Urine testing is a commonly utilized approach to diagnose Candida. It is advantageous, being both precise and straightforward to execute. It can detect fungal infection along with 70 other metabolites which are a great indicator of the different body systems.. It gives a precise assessment of both intestinal yeast and bacteria.
Candida Blood Test
A blood test can reveal antibodies to Candida, however, we don’t use this as a reliable marker for a Candida infection as it doesn’t tell the practitioner if the infection is a current or an old infection.
Candida Symptoms
Candida Symptoms can be quite unpleasant and disruptive to your everyday life. It is an infection caused by the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans, which is present in the human body naturally. Symptoms of Candida can be both physical and psychological and can range from mild to severe.
The most common Candida Symptoms are fatigue, joint pain, headaches, digestive issues, such as bloating, gas and constipation, skin rashes and infections, vaginal yeast infections, and brain fog. These Candida Symptoms can be caused by a weakened immune system, poor diet, and an imbalance of healthy bacteria in the gut microbiota.
Candida Diet
The candida diet eliminates foods that are known to feed candida overgrowths such as sugar, refined carbohydrates, processed foods, and alcohol. Additionally, many foods such as dairy, gluten and high-sugar fruits are also limited or eliminated on the candida diet. Foods that are allowed on the candida diet include non-starchy vegetables, low-sugar fruits, healthy fats, and protein sources.
The candida diet also includes specific supplements that can help to reduce candida overgrowth. These supplements include probiotics, antifungals, and digestive enzymes. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help to restore balance to the gut microbiome. Antifungals can help to reduce the amount of candida in the body. Digestive enzymes can help to break down food and improve digestion.
Candida Test Costs
The Candida test can cost anything from 230 Euros to 40o Euros depending on what type of test the practitioner wants you to perform. There are a number of different companies we use and they will all have different elements that the practitioner might want to use which will depend on the presenting symptoms. The most comprehensive tests are done through the GI MAP, Genova Diagnostics and Doctors Data.
Do you have Candida Specialists in your Clinic
Yes, some of our clinicians are Candida specialists. The lead clinician (Rob Staunton) has had Candida previously and is an expert at treating this condition from a personal and professional perspective.
Furthermore, this is one of the most common digestive conditions we deal with in the clinic and it is the infection that comes up most on gut health tests.
How we can help?
If you have had any issues with numerous digestion issues, tiredness, anxiety/depression, or unexplained symptoms, please get in contact with us at the Dublin Centre for Functional Medicine. We are more than willing to set up a free, 15-minute discussion to explore your health concerns.
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