Candida Testing
What is Candida?
Candida is a type of fungus that is normally found living in the human body and can cause a variety of symptoms, including vaginal yeast infections, when the balance of microorganisms in the body is disrupted. Treatment typically involves antifungal medications, dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and probiotic supplements.
What is the Candida Test?
The Candida test is an important element in diagnosing and dealing with fungal infections. It can give a precise diagnosis of the sickness and assist your functional medicine practitioner to decide the most suitable treatment. The test may also be used to track the efficacy of antifungal drugs and figure out if the contamination is responding to the treatment. You can have the test via blood, urine, and feces. At the London Centre for Functional Medicine, we favor utilizing a gut health assessment in the form of a stool test through one of our associated labs.
How is the Candida Test performed?
The stool test can be self-administered at home, with samples taken over a period of either one, two, or three days. Once the samples are collected, they should be returned to the laboratory in a pre-paid container to be tested for the presence of Candida, both beneficial and harmful bacteria, and parasites. The organic acids test for the urine is taken in the early morning hours, anytime between 5 am and 9 am.
Candida Diet
The Candida diet is a dietary plan that helps to reduce the amount of yeast growth in the body. This diet is essential for those who suffer from Candida overgrowth as it helps to reduce the symptoms and treat the infection. It involves avoiding certain food groups and eating a variety of foods that are specifically designed to fight off candida yeast.
The Candida diet is made up of foods that are low in sugar, yeast, gluten and dairy. It also includes foods that are high in fiber, protein, healthy fats and probiotics. These foods help to reduce the amount of sugar that the yeast can feed on and also help to restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Foods to avoid include processed foods, alcohol, sugar, refined carbohydrates, dairy, mushrooms, and vinegar.
As much as the Candida diet has its limitations we look to make sure there are a number of healthy alternatives as it isn’t too restrictive which make its easier for compliance.
Candida Symptoms
Candida Symptoms are the signs and symptoms that are indicative of Candida, a type of yeast, which is normally found in the body in small amounts. Candida Symptoms can appear in a variety of different organs and systems in the body, including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and genital area.
The most common Candida Symptoms include fatigue, digestive issues, brain fog, skin issues, and vaginal infections. Fatigue is one of the most common Candida Symptoms, as Candida overgrowth in the body can lead to a decrease in energy and an overall feeling of exhaustion. Additionally, digestive issues such as bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea can also be a sign of Candida Symptoms. Brain fog is a common symptom of Candida overgrowth, which is characterized by difficulty focusing and retaining information. Skin issues, such as rashes and itching, can also be a sign of Candida Symptoms. Lastly, Candida Symptoms can include recurrent vaginal infections, such as yeast infections.
What does the Candida Stool Test Cover?
The Candida stool test evaluates various indicators covering over 70 different bacteria, worms, parasites and yeasts components inlcuding beneficial microorganisms such as Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., harmful bacteria such as Clostridia, Blastocystis Hominis, D. Fragilis, and Giardia, and the overgrowth of yeast/fungi commonly known as Candida albicans. The test can also identify the most appropriate supplements to get rid of the specific strain of yeast or bacteria if the test turns out to be positive.
Organic Acids Test
A urine test called the organic acid test is commonly administered to detect Candida. This method of testing has the advantage of being highly sensitive and straightforward to administer and it also has the advantage of giving 70 other markers from the different body systems which can highlight other areas of concern such as detoxification or methylation issues. It all can also reveal is there is a yeast infection in the small intestines if the stool test comes back negative.
Candida Test Costs
Prices for the Candida test can vary widely, from £230 to £400 depending on the specific test prescribed by the practitioner. We utilize a selection of different companies, each of which offers various components based on the reported symptoms. The most thorough testing is conducted through GI MAP, Genova Diagnostics and Doctors Data.
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 London Centre for Functional Medicine. We are more than willing to set up a free, 15-minute discussion to explore your health concerns.
What our clients are saying.
Why Choose the London Centre for Functional Medicine?
Support
Once you reach out to us, the team will guide you through the collaborative process with a practitioner, We will gather the information we need to understand you better and help support and motivate you along your health journey.
Experience
We take the complex and try to make it simple. Many patients have gone to multiple doctors before they reach us. By taking a functional medicine approach, we can focus on the core imbalance and what needs to be addressed to improve your health picture.
Custom Approach
There is no one size fits approach as each patient is unique. Thus, no plan or protocol is the same. Everything about you including symptoms, lifestyle, diet, genetics and capacity to heal is different and will require a personalized approach.
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