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Blood Test for Systemic Yeast?

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Posted 10/6/2008 8:54 PM (GMT -8)
Is there a blood test for systemic yeast that I can ask for? I've been reading the symptoms and I am seriously starting to think that a lot of my symptoms could be from that. It would be great to know if these are still Lyme symptoms, or if I'm dealing with yeast from taking Zithromax for so long and being lazy with probiotics.

I read somewhere that a naturopath can help with systemic yeast (I would prefer not to take Diflucan), but I have no idea where to find one in my area.
Posted 10/6/2008 11:39 PM (GMT -8)
Yeast can be treated with herbs such as Oregano and Garlic (OregaMax is a capsule that combines the two), Tanalbit (antifungal Tannins), etc. Also Probiotics and a low glycemic index diet such as the Specific Carbohydrate Diet are helpful.

To find a Naturopath in your area, ask someone who works at a health food store, or look up Naturopaths in your hometown at http://www.dexonline.com/ or do a web search for "Naturopath" and the name of the town and state where you live, or post your state here and ask for referrals.

Take care,
Posted 10/7/2008 1:51 AM (GMT -8)
Oil of Oregano is one of the best herbals for yeast. Grapefruitseed extract is also good. Quest has a test for yeast that my doctor runs for me several times a year. I had a yeast issue before I ever went on antibiotics.

Lots of us with lyme have low immune response which can lead to opportunistic infections like yeast. Then the antibiotics add to the problem by destroying the good bacteria.

Dar
Posted 10/7/2008 2:52 AM (GMT -8)

Dar,

Did you have to treat the yeast before the Lyme?  What were the symptoms you had for the yeast?  Also, do you know the name of the test from Quest?  Thanks!

Posted 10/7/2008 9:20 AM (GMT -8)
Chris,
I did treat the yeast before I had lyme, only because I didn't know I had lyme yet. I was able to get the yeast under control, but not eliminate it before I discovered the lyme. Then I went on abx for lyme and took diflucan, nystatin, and a couple herbals along with to keep the yeast in check. Also probiotics. I was never able to completely get rid of it. Now I am off abx and am rifing, so I hope to get rid of the yeast with the rife.

From my quest test result forms, the quest test is call Candida albicans AB (IGG, IGA IGM) If IGM is over 1.0 then you have a current infection. I started with a 3.5 initially, went down to just over one, but currently am at 1.8. So I still have an active infection, but it's not as bad.

The symptoms for yeast are the same as for lyme! That's why I resisted lyme testing for over a year even though my twin sister had it and we were both sick. When I went on the candida diet and took diflucan for a few weeks, I had a huge die off. Then I felt so much better!!! But I was very strict with the diet, no sugar, gluten, milk etc. I lost a lot of weight so I added back some whole grains and small amounts of fruit.

But the recovery was temporary, I had a big set backs and decided to test for lyme which of course I have along with bart and erhlichia. I also had heavy metals which I chelated last year after having filling removed. Heavy metal have the same symptoms as candida and lyme too! Hard to tell what is giving problems on any given day.

take care,
dar
Posted 10/7/2008 1:26 PM (GMT -8)

Thanks Twingirl,

This was very helpful information.  I've been on a Candida diet for over a year now and saw mild results.  At one point I had a doctor give me ketoconazole without really testing based on clinical symptoms.  I only took it for a week because I felt like I was going to die. 

I have tested positive for Lyme through Igenex later, but I keep noticing that when I had a few days of highly sugary things (sweet potato for example because I don't eat any raw, unrefined sugar) I have a maddening itch in all the oraficaes of my body. So that and given my response to the ketoconazole, I think it's time to face the music and get tested. 

Posted 10/7/2008 1:42 PM (GMT -8)
Chris,
Yep you probably had a die off from the ketoconazole. The die off I experienced from the diflucan was pretty brutal!! Just as bad as some of my lyme herxes!

Take care,
dar
Posted 10/7/2008 3:34 PM (GMT -8)

Dar,

That's what I'm thinking...knowing what I know about herxes and Lyme now.  about 6 months after the Keto I had a stool sample analysis done by Genova labs and it came back that I have a +2 for Candida Albicans. 

How long did your herxes for Candida last?  How long did you have to be on Diflucan/Nystatin before you saw results?  Thanks again!

Posted 10/7/2008 3:53 PM (GMT -8)
You're Welcome! Happy to help.

I think I was on the diflucan for two weeks. The herx lasted as long as I was taking the diflucan then faded away. After the diflucan I used grapefruitseed extract and garlic and stayed on the diet. I think I felt better after about a month. I'm going by memory. I should have documented this stuff better!!!

dar
Posted 10/7/2008 4:01 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks so much for the suggestions! Is there a particularly good brand of Grapefruit Seed Extract and Oil of Oregano I should buy?
Posted 10/7/2008 4:22 PM (GMT -8)
Hi!  There is a test through Metametrix called D-Arabinatol, it is a test for systemic yeast.  It is $99 I believe, and can also be done as part of an organics/fatty acid test.  I would like to get it done myself.  Had it done a year ago and it was normal, but I am curious to see if it's changed...
Posted 10/7/2008 5:21 PM (GMT -8)
I buy both Oil of Oregano and GFSE from vitacost. It's important to buy the North American Herb and Spice brand of Oil of Oregano. I believe it's because it's the only one thats been tested or something like that. I have bought many different brands of the GFSE and found them all helpful.

Because these herbals also have antibacterial properties, they should be spaced apart from the probiotics. The Oil of Oregano comes in drop form andI use it in a small amount of juice, one swallow actually because it really tastes bad!!! My doctor feels that it's the most potent of the herbals, though so I suffer through it!

There are many other herbals out there that treat candida as well. I rotate them occasionally to avoid resistance to any one of them. Some others are garlic, Olive leaf extract, and Pau d arco.

Take care,
dar
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