Candida Tests - Brisbane Naturopath (2024)

Candida is actually the name given to a type of yeast. In fact, there are hundreds of types of candida which can cause infections in humans. However, it should be noted that this type of fungus normally lives outside the body, its most common locations are your mouth, throat, and vagin*.

When a candida fungal infection grows your medical professional will refer to it as candidiasis. Of course, there are numerous different symptoms depending on the exact infection and how serious it is.

As with any medical issue, the sooner it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

Diagnosis Tests for Candida

There are only two effective ways of testing for candida, by drawing blood or by taking a stool sample.

It’s important to note that if you opt for a blood test you’ll need to visit your local Brisbane Pathology Lab. They will take care of everything for you and talk you through the process.

However, the results will not be instant as the blood will need to be sent away for comprehensive testing.

The stool test can be performed in the privacy of your own home. You’ll be sent everything you need, including instructions, to allow you to collect the stool, label it correctly and send it to the lab.

You’ll be advised which lab to send it to.

Once the results are ready you can visit your medical practitioner to discuss whether you have candida and the level of infection. This will dictate the treatment plan you need to follow.

The Difference Between Blood & Stool Candida Tests

A blood test will tell you whether the fungus is present in your body. However, there are many things that can influence the levels of candida in your blood at a given time. This makes it the less reliable method of testing for candida.

The preferred, and more accurate option is via a stool test, this will tell you definitively whether you have candida and how serious the infection is.

The advantage of this is that the treatment plan will be much more effective.

Candida Tests - Brisbane Naturopath (2024)

FAQs

Can a naturopath test for Candida? ›

Testing Options

There are a few ways that we can assess for candida overgrowth: 1. Candida Questionnaire - Our Naturopathic Doctor will administer a questionnaire that objective rates symptoms and signs of candida / yeast allowing for an estimate of the likelihood of an overgrowth.

How do you test for Candida in Brisbane? ›

Diagnosis Tests for Candida

There are only two effective ways of testing for candida, by drawing blood or by taking a stool sample. It's important to note that if you opt for a blood test you'll need to visit your local Brisbane Pathology Lab. They will take care of everything for you and talk you through the process.

What is the most accurate test for Candida overgrowth? ›

The most common way that healthcare providers test for invasive candidiasis is by taking a blood sample or sample from the infected body site and sending it to a laboratory to see if it will grow Candida in a culture.

What is the naturopathic approach to Candida? ›

The naturopathic approach to candidiasis at our clinic involves: First identifying the root cause of the symptoms that you may be suffering. Treating your symptoms using natural therapies (such as herbal medicine, diet, vitamin supplements, acupuncture and homeopathy) based on your clinical intake and laboratory ...

What drink kills Candida? ›

Apple cider vinegar has long been used as a home remedy to treat candida overgrowth and protect against yeast infections and thrush. Studies show apple cider vinegar has powerful antimicrobial activities and can inhibit the growth of C. albicans and other pathogens.

Does the Candida spit test really work? ›

I've heard more often, though still only rarely, from people who said their blood test or stool sample test was negative, even though they were clearly suffering, based on their symptoms and the spit test, from candida overgrowth. So this spit test is at least as accurate as expensive tests available from doctors.

What kills Candida fast? ›

How do you clear up Candida? A doctor can prescribe antifungal medications such as nyastatin or clotrimazole. These are available as pills or creams, depending on which part of the body Candida affects and how severe the infection is ( 15 ).

What does Candida in stool look like? ›

Most people might not know they have Candida in their stools until they become aware of the following: white, yellow, or brown mucus. a white, yellow, or light brown string-like substance. froth or foam.

What is the gold standard test for Candida? ›

Blood culture has been considered as the diagnostic gold standard for invasive candidiasis.

What does Candida look like in urine? ›

In urine, Candida albicans and other less commonly seen species, such as Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis, will appear as budding yeasts, 4–10 μm in diameter, that often show formation of hyphal elements. Smaller budding yeasts, only 2–4 μm in diameter, without any hyphal structures, are likely to be C.

What is the gold standard for diagnosing candidiasis? ›

Blood culture is the gold-standard method for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.

What is the root cause of candida overgrowth? ›

Causes may include taking certain drugs (especially antibiotics, corticosteroids, and some birth control pills), pregnancy, being overweight, having a bacterial infection, or several different health conditions (for example, a weakened immune system, diabetes, and psoriasis).

What is the root cause of candida? ›

The most common causes of candida overgrowth include: Prescription medications such as antibiotics. High-stress lifestyle. Oral contraceptives.

Can you detox candida from your body? ›

Detox can play an important role in your Candida treatment. Starting your Candida cleanse with a detox will help to 'clean out' your intestines, weakening the Candida biofilms and expelling large quantities of the Candida yeast and its toxic byproducts.

Who can test for Candida? ›

Your doctor may order one (or more) of the following Candida tests to diagnose invasive candidiasis. Blood culture test. The most common test for invasive candidiasis is a blood culture test. Your doctor will take your blood sample and send it to a lab to see if Candida grows from it.

How do you test for Candida imbalance? ›

A stool analysis is not only an effective way of detecting Candida overgrowths, but it also provides excellent insight into the overall health of your gut and digestive system. While the results of such a test can, of course, help with treating Candida overgrowth should it be detected, it can also help in other ways.

How do you know if you have Candida overgrowth in your body? ›

Symptoms of Candida overgrowth include mouth lesions, fatigue, and digestive issues. Addressing the underlying cause can help ease symptoms and prevent recurring infections. Many types of fungi live in and on the human body, including the genus of yeasts known as Candida.

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