Candida Testing

[Christina98]

Does anyone out there no of a for sure way of knowing if you have Candida? I keep hearing Celiac is so similiar to Candida.I am looking for a for sure testing way (a lab ) or something accurate.More than just the questionaire and spit test.

Thanks for the help!

[RiceGuy]

I think part of the trouble with this is that many doctors still don't believe in candida overgrowth at all. AFAIK, the medical industry as a whole has yet to really accept the reality of it. That's my take on it. Perhaps someone else will know more.

Here is some info on the subject, along with certain tests which you may be able to have done:

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However, one way which may help determine if you have a candida overgrowth, is to try one of the suggested candida killers, along with an anti-candida diet. If it help, that seems fairly conclusive to me.

[Lovey25]

Excuse my frankness, but I'm pretty sure there is a poop test that can be administered. You should really go out and buy this book: "The Yeast Connection and Women's Health" by Dr. Crook. It outlines all of the problems and diseases associated with Candida and also outlines a few tests that can be performed to see if you indeed have an overgrowth. Also, you've probably heard of the Specific Carbohydrate diet? That is another great resource for this.

As RiceGuy said, just beware that most mainstream medical professionals DO NOT believe in Candida overgrowth, or at least that it causes any problems other than perhaps constipation. Certainly they do not believe terrible health problems and disease can be caused by it. But there is a legion of people who know from firsthand experience that eliminating Candida does indeed improve their health. Don't worry if your doctor doesn't listen to this. Just remember that things that were once considered ridiculous are now common sense. Maybe try seeing and Integrative Internalist (who is a licensed M.D.) who uses both traditional medical practices as well as alternative. Let me know if you have any other questions about this, Christina. I have been on an anti-Candida diet for about a year now. It's a long road and my journey still isn't over, but it's so well worth it!

Good luck to you!!

[julirama723]

I agree with the above posts. Mainstream medicine dismisses candida as a systemic problem.

Check out The Yeast Connection--it's both a book and a website--and you can start from there. There are some questionnaires that can give you insight on whether or not yeast is problematic for you.

There's also the "spit test" which is free and easy. All you need to do is spit into a glass of water first thing in the morning. Do this before you eat, before you brush your teeth, before you use mouthwash, etc. Within a few minutes, your spit will change if you have a yeast problem. Normal spit floats on the surface, "yeasty" spit will develop legs or tentacles, or possibly little chunks. I'm not sure how scientific it is, but it can't hurt! I do know that it seems to be a good indicator of whether or not someone has a yeast problem.

If you feel that yeast is a problem, you will need to start an anti-yeast diet. There are many out there, depending on the severity of the problem and how gradually or aggressively you want to address the problem. Probiotics and anti-fungals are also part of the healing process. Just make sure that your probiotics are sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, etc. This can be tricky! You don't need to take a prescription anti-fungal, as there are many natural antifungals as well as supplements that can be used. Raw onion and garlic are natural antifungals, as are oil of oregano, garlic oil, and caprylic acid.

Like the others have said, if you try the diet and see a vast improvement, that's probably all the diagnosis you really need!