Testing for Candida Albicans Infection
The first step in treating a candida infection is to test for the Candida Yeast in the body.
If you suspect a Candida Fungal overgrowth in your body and can identify some or all of the symptoms which are commonly associated with a Candida yeast infection (Candidiasis), then before proceeding with a Candida Cleanser treatment we recommend testing yourself for Candida.
Candida infections are notoriously difficult to diagnose and especially neglected in wider medical community. Symptoms are non-specific and neither self-diagnosis, nor diagnosis from a physician is reliable without laboratory confirmation. Incorrect diagnosis commonly leads to the overuse of anti-fungal agents and antibiotics which subsequently lead to worsening of the level of infection as well as the increased effectiveness of the Candida Albicans yeast and decreased effectiveness of medicines.
Test Method 1: Doctor
If you and your doctor suspect that you have Candida overgrowth, these are the lab tests available.
Blood Test for Candida Antibodies
An Anti-Candida Antibodies, or Candida Immune Complexes test. There are 3 antibodies that should be tested to measure your immune system’s response to Candida – IgG, IgA, and IgM. High levels of these antibodies indicate that an overgrowth of Candida is present.
Candida blood testing – understanding antibody levels: click here for a full explanation of candida antibodies blood testing and how to understand your results.
Stool Analysis (GI map)
Your stool is directly analyzed for levels of yeast, pathogenic bacteria and friendly bacteria. Candida sometimes does not show up in a single stool test, so choose one that samples your stool over several days.
There are two main types of stool testing: culture and DNA. A culture test attempts to grow bacteria from your stool sample whereas DNA testing extracts bacterial DNA from your stool sample to identify yeast and parasites and is much more accurate. DNA tests can pick up yeast and parasites that the culture tests fail to identify.
Options for DNA testing include GI-MAP by Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, Genova GI-Effects, Doctor’s Data GI 360, Microbiome Labs BiomeFx, and Vibrant Wellness Gut Zoomer.
Urine Tartaric Acid Test
This test detects tartaric acid – a waste product of Candida yeast overgrowth. An elevated test means an overgrowth of Candida.
Doctors will sometimes order both the stool test and an antibodies test, in order to get a fuller picture of what is going on in both your immune system and your digestive system.
Test Method 2: Self-testing for Candida
Below we identify the available methods of self testing for Candida if a professional medical diagnosis is not available. The Spit or saliva test and the Candia5 blood test can be carried out at home while the stool test and Organic Acids Test (urine sample) are analyzed in a Laboratory (the Candidatest Service below is UK based and the Great plains service is in the US)
Candida spit or saliva test
The spit or saliva test for identifying possible candida overgrowth was originally devised by a company called ThreeLac as a way to sell their probiotic supplements, the spit test is a crude measurement of how thick your saliva is, and should not be used as a reliable indicator of Candida, and would be completely impossible to diagnose systemic Candida infections (where Candida has entered bloodstream and spread all over the body) as claimed on some websites.
For the sake of completeness we have included the spit test below.
Rinse your mouth out with water and wait three minutes.
Fill a fresh glass of water.
Collect some saliva in your mouth and gently place it on the surface of the water in the glass. Immediately make note of how the saliva looks.
Check the glass every 15 minutes.
Healthy saliva will be clear. It will float on top and it will slowly dissolve into the water without any cloudiness and without sinking. There are normally some bubbles or foam present.
Candida saliva will have one or more characteristics that point to candida overgrowth:
- Strings travelling down to the bottom of the glass
- Cloudy saliva that sinks to the bottom of the glass
- Cloudy specks suspended in the water
The more strings and cloudiness, and the faster they develop, the greater the candida overgrowth.
Candida Infection Home Blood Test Kit
This simple home test requires just a small drop of blood to provide an accurate diagnosis within five minutes.
This is a convenient home test we highly recommend for anyone who has or suspects they have Candida. It is easy to use and accurately detects not only the presence Candida albicans, but also the antibodies of the four common Candida species: Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalisi and Candida parapsiloiss.
The CanDia5 home Candida test kit provides accurate results due to the usage of the most reliable testing source: your blood. Candida albicans is a yeast or fungus that is present in the intestinal and genital tracts of every healthy individual. But if the Candida proliferates and its populations become disproportionate to the other 400 or so ‘friendly’ bacteria strains in the intestine, it becomes Candidiasis – or a Candida Yeast Infection.
The Candia5 Home Blood Test Kit is currently unavailable
Laboratory Stool Testing for Candida and Parasites
A home stool test starts with sample collection over several days to ensure that you get a representative ‘average’ sample. Place the samples in the bag provided and send them off to the lab for analysis.
At the lab, your stool will be analyzed for levels of yeast, pathogenic bacteria, friendly bacteria, and much more. The technicians will be looking for evidence of Candida albicans and several other pathogenic microorganisms. They will also be checking the pH, looking for inflammation markers, and conducting a thorough evaluation of your gut health and digestive processes.
This is a very useful test for you to get if you suspect an overgrowth of Candida. It can give a reliable answer as to whether the Candida albicans levels in your gut are abnormal.
US based Great Plains Laboratory service offers comprehensive stool analysis which test for Candida Yeast (Mycology) culture and parasites:
- 48 possible yeast and fungal species
- Yeast (microscopy ─ visible presence of yeast cells)
- 22 possible parasites
For all US orders Great Plains laboratory require the test requisition form (included in test kit) must be signed by a medical practitioner and they offer an international service
Great Plains laboratory: IgG Food allergy test + candida
The IgG Food Allergy Test w/ Candida is available as a dried blood spot collection for patients who can’t perform a blood draw. The specimen can be collected from the convenience of home and shipped to our laboratory for analysis.
UK based Candidatest Service offers easy to use, micro-biological testing for candida, intestinal parasites, leaky gut and much more. All tests are performed from simple stool samples, a very modern and strictly scientific way of testing.
For more information on Canditest click here
Organic Acids Test (OAT)
The Organic Acids Test (OAT) provides an accurate evaluation of intestinal yeast and bacteria. Abnormally high levels of these microorganisms can cause or worsen behavior disorders, hyperactivity, movement disorders, fatigue and immune function. Many people with chronic illnesses and neurological disorders often excrete several abnormal organic acids.
The cause of these high levels could include: oral antibiotic use, high sugar diets, immune deficiencies, and genetic factors.
If abnormalities are detected using the OAT, treatments can include supplements, such as vitamins and antioxidants, or dietary modification. Upon treatment, patients and practitioners have reported significant improvement such as decreased fatigue, regular bowel function, increased energy and alertness, increased concentration, improved verbal skills, less hyperactivity, and decreased abdominal pain.
The OAT is strongly recommended as the initial candida screening test.
For more information on the Great Plains laboratory Organic Acids Test (OAT) and to order a test kit https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/organic-acids-test/