Hello, te laboratory tests:
Candida specific antibodies, and IgM, IgG, IgA.
Are the best way to detect any candida overgrowth in the gut?
Or stool analyses are more precise?

Hi,

To be honest neither of those tests are particularly good at diagnosing Candida overgrowth in the gut.

Candida antibodies can be present from a Candida problem in the past that is no longer present and the test may also be positive in people who are not ill. The sIgA aspect may be a relatively good indicator however since this is the type of antibody present in the gut.

The stool analyses such as the Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) are not reliable for Candida overgrowth of the gut as they cannot provide any information about Candida overgrowth in the small intestine (where it often occurs and would logically cause most severe illness as the small intestine actively absorbs Candida toxins). However, a CDSA can provide some useful information about the state of the gut microflora such as levels of beneficial bacteria and pathogenic bacteria as well as digestive function and absorptive capacity which can all be pointers to Candida overgrowth if abnormal.

My personal opinion is that the best tests are the Gut Fermentation Profile which tests the blood for ethanol (alcohol produced by yeast such as Candida) after ingestion of a sugary drink and the Organix Dysbiosis Profile which detects yeast/Candida metabolites which have been absorbed from the gut and excreted in the urine.

There are no definitive tests for Candida overgrowth in the gut however which is why it remains controversial in the medical community.

Basically the more tests you do that test positive of point to gut dysbiosis the greater the chance you have Candida overgrowth.

If money is an issue you can do the Candida questionnaire and a trial of the antifungal diet and perhaps use some antifungal medications or supplements along with probiotics and see if you feel better.

It is not an easy situation as I have leanrt personally!