Candida Test

Our Candida test and treatment programme is aimed at Candida Albicans.

Candida Albicans or C Albicans is not a bacterium, but a fungus, and one which includes over 150 species of yeast. The genus candida has become increasingly prevalent over the last 20-30 years, and C. Albicans is the most common candida infection.

In fact, we all have small amounts of Candida Albicans in our bodies. It is in the skin, genitals and particularly the digestive tract, but it represents no problem at all at small volumes. However, if the yeast grows excessively (a yeast overgrowth) problems start. C. Albicans can be found in both the gastrointestinal tract and mouth. lt affects the way the body absorbs nutrients, resulting in the symptoms in the panel to the right.

Health conditions which upset your immunity, like diabetes, can trigger Candida overgrowth. Equally high dosages of steroid drugs are also a trigger. Other things that can stimulate overgrowth include antibiotics, oral contraceptives, smoking and excessive sugar consumption. Many IBS patients also have an underlying C Albicans yeast or fungal infection. Finally, a predisposition to food intolerances is often accompanied by an overgrowth of Candida Albicans.

The first key step is to identify whether you have Candida. There are such a wide range of other conditions linked to Candida overgrowth. So the symptoms alone can’t give an accurate diagnosis of Candida. It needs specific tests to detect the organism.

Primary symptoms of Candida

Thrush – bladder and urinary tract infections
Digestive issues – bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea
Fatigue, brain fog – concentration lapses, ringing in the ears
Muscle joints and aches
Cravings for sugar, bread, marmite or balsamic vinegar
Thinning hair
Vaginal infections in women
Jock-itch in men
Athletes foot in women and men

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms and want to talk to us about them, book a free 15 minute call.

What are the best tests for Candida?

Because several other conditions can in effect mimic Candida Albicans, it is vital to be 100% sure which condition you may have.

Candida Test UK

Comprehensive Stool Tests

Stool tests can identify candida overgrowth (and much more besides) as long as candida is present in the large intestine. In fact, for intestinal candida, the only reliable test is via a stool sample. A culture is prepared from the sample which shows the species of the genus, strain and cell count. Based on this, a trained nutritional therapist can recommend anti-fungal remedy and therapy.

However, please note that if your stool test does not show candida, this may not mean that you don’t have it. It might live elsewhere in your body. But a comprehensive stool test gives a lot of other useful background information about the gut. Especially useful is data about the levels of your beneficial flora and “bad bacteria”. This can show that these bacteria may promote candida overgrowth, but can also point to parasites, viruses or bacteria with candida-like symptoms.

Lastly, if you test positive for intestinal candida, we can use the stool test to highlight the best supplements for you to take to eliminate the specific strain of yeast or bacteria for which you have tested positive.

Organic Acid Urine Tests

This is a very sensitive but simple urine-based test. It provides evidence of candida via elevated organic acid yeast markers (such as arabinose). Also, a urine test does not show exactly where the candida is in your GI. But if you undertake a stool test too, and this was negative, we could deduce that the candida was most probably in your small intestine.

IgG Antibody Blood Tests

Blood tests can be used to identify antibodies which identify an immune response to candida. A positive result shows an invasive candida infection that has gone beyond your gut. This test is included in a comprehensive IgG food sensitivity test panel or via an expanded Candida Test: To ensure swift and effective treatment it is best to diagnose the issue as early as possible so test results for a test for candida antibodies will help with detection.

Interpretation of the Antibodies Test.

Levels of IgG, IgM and IgA are compared and assessed as follows:

Elevated IgG indicates infection is ongoing or has passed.
Elevated IgM indicates ongoing infection.
IgA elevation indicates a superficial infection.

So a positive test would result from elevated levels of both IgG and IgM

Ordering tests

You can order these tests via this site.

Resolving C Albicans

We recommend a variety of supplements to assist the body in controlling Candida Albicans. These include probiotics and nutrient compounds that increase your natural immune defences by raising SIgA. They also work to secure the integrity of your gut lining.

In some cases we will work in alignment with a GP who may have prescribed antifungal drugs. You can also buy antifungals over the counter at pharmacies to treat thrush.

In addition, we recommend supplements which reduce the yeast and large doses of probiotics or ‘friendly bacteria’ to help to crowd out the candida. If your candida is obstinate or longstanding, we may also suggest the use of bio-film disruptor supplements as we could reasonably assume that you may suffer from a chronic biofilm infection.

We may also ask you to eliminate sugar, cakes and biscuits from your diet. Equally foods containing yeast will be a no-go. That includes bread and pizza and extends to beer and wine.

This IBS Clinics phased approach takes 8-12 weeks–proves most effective in the long term, as it builds your immune system whilst reducing the Candida. We aim to make this the only anti-Candida treatment you will ever need.

What to do next?

Or read more about Candida Albicans here.