Candidiasis testing on NHS

[Mark19]

Hi,

I've yet again been to see my GP about my health problems. I suffer from IBS, both digestive and urinary and have chronic sinusitis. I have been through the usual blood tests, stool tests, examinations for prostate and urine tests but neither the GP or Gastroenterologist have found the cause of my symptoms.

I have been doing a lot of research and reading on the possible cause of my symptoms and have found that overgrowth of candida or candidiasis could be the cause of my problems because i have many of the symptoms.

My GP has took a swab for candida off my tongue which i am waiting for the result but she said there wasn't a test other than that she could do. GP wants to refer me again to Gastroenterlogist but i've been down that road before with no success he didn't even seem to know what Candida was perhaps communication peoblem as he was foreign indian doctors but not good!

I know there are candida tests so i was wondering if anyone else has had a candida test on NHS?

Cheers

Mark

[Liz1234ty]

Hi Mark19

If you do obtain this on the NHS I would be interested to know as I thought it was only private practitioners that offer it.

PS - as a layperson your symptoms sound like they arise from chronic inflammation arising from leaky gut. Not sure if this has been mentioned to you before but I suspect if you can solve your GI problem that will help your overall health. Might be worth checking to see if the NHS can test for leaky gut (Zonulin levels in a stool test I think).

[Mark19 in reply to Liz1234ty]

Thanks Liz1234ty i'll let you know. I had read there is a blood and stool test for candida which may may be offered on NHS but my GP just took a swab from my tongue to test for oral candida before referring me to Gastroenterologist again. Last time i went to see gastroenterlogist he was Indian gentleman who didn't seem to know what candida was which i found strange.

We'll see what happens. Leaky gut from what i've read is caused by candida breaking down the intestinal wall so if it is proved i have candida overgrowth then i could have leaky gut oh the joys!!

[Liz1234ty in reply to Mark19]

Yeah, I feel your pain! I have SIBO which also often causes leaky gut as the bacteria in the small intestine can irritate and help break down the pores in the villi (?) there that cause leaky gut by breaking down part of the gut barrier. Luckily I don't have it as the SIBO itself is sufficiently tricky to get rid of.

[Sheeniejay]

I live in the Netherlands but I have had MANY intestinal candida overgrowths - believe me,, you become VERY sick. You can only discover if you have intestinal Candida or 'overige schimmel' (don't know the English translation) overgrowth with a faeces test at a specialised lab. This is probably why you can't get it done on the NHS, I;m guessing. (I used to live in the UK).

[Mark19 in reply to Sheeniejay]

Hi Sheeniejay i don't think the NHS think candida overgrowth causes these health problems. If they did they should have a test for it but my GP said it wouldn't bs her who tested for it but blood tests so discount other possible causes which is a road i've been down before with no success. I'm waiting until my tongue swab result comes in next week and if that shows candida which i think if will then i'm pretty sure i've got candida overgrowth in other parts of my body and will want testing if not NHS then it'll have to be private.

[Sheeniejay in reply to Mark19]

I had the issue back in 2017 and back then, my gP also did not 'believe' i n intestinal overgrowths BUT, fast forward 1 year, and the importance of microflora (btw this is the sort of test you should arrange as it will show 'schimmels' - think mould - candida and what the state of your bacteria, the good stuff, is PLUS rule out any parasites) AND it's a complete turnaround - the gut biome is HUGELY taken seriously here and more labs will test for it and you can get a referral and my GP is AMAZING. He's INCREDIBLY understanding, goes to conferences etc BUT it was a battle and I had countless blood tests, went to gastro specialists, brain scans etc etc It was through research that I found out about Candida intestinal overgrowths and found an orthomolecular doc who understood the area and referred me. In 2017, I had 4 Candida overgrowths & 1 óverige schimmel - was clear for 16 months, then got an overige schimmel & a candida o/g (cue seriously heavy meds - antifungals to get rid of these btw) this year. No one can understand it - I eat ZERO sugar (even eat low sugar fruit & veg etc), no dairy (allergic to whey)- I am VERY healthy. Two possibs - too much stress & anxiety (I have GAD) and too basic pH in my intestines. A couple of weeks ago, the faeces test showed no candida and no schimmel but now I'm back to rebuilding good bacteria (I take lots of probiotics btw) and we're trying to increase the ph of my intestines - I'm also looking into meds for my anxiety - enough is enough if it's one of the culprits!~Seriously, GOOD LUCK and don't give up. Feel free to message me if you need/want to during this potentially stressful path!

[JammyOK in reply to Sheeniejay]

Your story Sheeniejay is really interesting to me. I'm also interested in what happens with you Mark19. I also have chronic sinusitis, IBS and like Sheeniejay I have anxiety. Woot woot. I have long suspected a candida problem. And I've wondered partly because I get BV fairly frequently, apologies if that's tmi. I would love to get some testing for this but through my Gastro and my GP it's never been offered or even discussed. I recently was having more ongoing and painful symptoms with IBS, so I asked my GP for another referral for dietary help. Also I'm pescatarian so I wanted to make sure my diet was still working for me. I'd previously done the low FODMAP through an NHS dietician and made some changes based on that. For the most recent referral, I've had to give a stool sample, but I don't know what tests they ran. I'm regretting not asking for this but again I don't know that the NHS would do it.

[Sheeniejay in reply to JammyOK]

Well, during my 'journey' during 2017, I also tried FODMAP before finding out what the issue was as I was reacting to foods which I'd been fine with for years - that's a big sign of an intestinal overgrowth, well, for me it was. All I learned through FODMAP is that I am not IBS (though the hell of my overgrowths have changed my ability to process certain foods but I'm working on this issue) and I lost about 2 kg in less than a week and I'm quite slight, according to most, anyway. Yay, shout out to chronic anxiety! You're allowed to be brutally frank about medical issues here - seriously, I've had conversations here and by p.m. to discuss the most detailed workings of my bowels - conversations you would - and probably should - refrain from with your closest confidente! I think at med school, candida og is not recognised, but those docs now realising the impact of disrupted and poor microflora DO take it seriously. I suspect you'll need to find an orthomolecular- but qualified/trained medical doctor - who can arrange a comprehensive stool test. For ref, this is where I go/the lab to which I am referred: europeanlaboratory.nl/ Look under Lab tests and look at faeces test. I know you can't use this place but it will show you exactly the sort of faeces test you're needing, you and Mark19 . And this shows, on page 2, what the basic faeces test looks for: europeanlaboratory.nl/docum...

[Mark19 in reply to JammyOK]

Hi thanks. It's my chronic sinus problems that made me curious to possible candida could be root cause of my health problems but without being tested i don't know. No my GP hasn't offered candida testing apart from oral candida she took a swab. I've seen gastroenterolgist who was Indian and didn't seem to understand what candida was which being foreign could be communication problem but should knoe what candida is crazy!!

[Lancs65]

Hi I had leaky gut and was advised to cut out all sugars and moulds I.e mushroom blue cheese etc and take a supplement called l-glutamine it's very hard to do but it worked for me

[Mark19 in reply to Lancs65]

Hi problem i have is not knowing exactly what the cause of my problems are so i can look for effective treatment. If i can get a candida overgrowth test which proves i have it then i can focus on solutions.

I'm glad you've resolved your problems i can imagine it's difficult to cut out all sugars but at least its worked.

[Mark19]

I've been looking at this clinic for testing who work on energetic medicine. It's alternative naturopathic which may be the way i have to go because i've no confidence in the NHS helping me with my health issues unfortunely as it will cost quits a bit to go private.

natural-practices.co.uk

[Mark19]

I've had a swab of mouth for candida which has come back negative which i'm surprised by because i thought candida may be a possible cause of my symptoms!! I guess it's back to the drawing board if i want to find the cause of my health problems!!🙁🙁

[Kw14]

Hi mark I too have been back and forth to doctors for the last few years. I believe I have Candida overgrowth but my doctor seems to think it’s a made up condition, really frustrating. I have made alterations to my diet and tried to completely cut out sugar but its proving very difficult. My doctor says he’s 99% sure it’s ibs and to just log a food diary and avid the foods that give me symptoms. I’d love to know if there is a private doctor anywhere in the UK that carries out Candida testing but have yet to find one

[Donroch]

I am going through the same problems now. Been to Gastro and have multiple stool test. It's seems as if the doctors don't know anything about candita yeast . I am Diabetic and I am alarm about the lack of information on this type of yeast . Now I am preparing to see private doctor about this as I have non stop pain in my tummy. Sometimes I feel like I am suffcoating and my skin hitches. I loose appetite and weight. This yeast is very deadly but it is underestimated in the NHS