About Candida Test - CNS Lab Test
Peak Nutrition are the only UK online retailer working in partnership with Cambridge Nutritional Sciences to offer you direct access to professional laboratory testing and results within days.
Candida
Candida is a yeast that in health does not cause a problem. If you are run down for any reason (or have been taking antibiotics) it may become establishd and can take hold and make you feel unwell. Candida is a yeast-like fungus that is normally present on the skin and in mucous membranes such as the vagina, mouth, or rectum. It is also a normal inhabitant of the human gut. However, when a person becomes dysbiotic, Candida can morph to become a pathogenic (injurious) invasive fungus and give rise to Candidiasis which is caused by over growth of Candida, predominantly Candida albicans.
What are the symptoms?
Candida overgrowth can cause a variety of symptoms including:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Muscle & joint aches
- Headaches
- Feeling of being "hung over"
- Gastrointestinal disturbances - diarrhea, constipation, nausea, bloating after eating
- Psychological disturbances - depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings
- Cognitive dysfunction - poor memory, lack of concentration
- Recurrent vaginitis
- Menstrual disturbances and infertility
- Allergies
- Skin irritations/rashes/acne
- Recurrent throat/ear infections
- Hypoglycemia
- Candida is not the only condition to cause these symptoms but if you suffer from a number of the above then Candida may be the reason, or part of the reason.
What causes Candida?
Factors which encourage Candida overgrowth include antibiotics, oral contraceptives, steroid drugs, more than one pregnancy, smoking and sugar consumption.
Why test for Candida?
There are such wide range of conditions associated with Candida overgrowth that accurate diagnosis of Candidiasis cannot be made on the basis of symptoms alone. The only way to diagnose a Candida overgrowth is to carry out specific tests aimed at detecting the presence of the organism.
How does the test work?
CNS offers a combined test for the detection of elevated levels of IgM and IgG antibodies to Candida. The test is an effective diagnostic and treatment monitoring tool as IgM results indicate an early stage infection and IgG results indicate an actively ongoing infection or the occurrence of a past infection
If my levels of Candida are too high how can I reduce them to normal?A qualified healthcare practitioner should be consulted for interpretation of any levels above of normal range. Your healthcare practitioner may provide dietary advice including anti-fungal therapy, and where possible they may advise the avoidance of antibiotics and steroid drugs.
A pin-prick blood sample is required for this test. Results are available within 10 working days.
People with an overgrowth of Candida albicans are often predisposed to food intolerance. To help achieve lasting health, it is recommended any food intolerances are identified. Please refer to the CNS Food IgG. Any information provided by CNS is not intended to replace advice from your GP.
