Intestinal parasite tests..

[Noelnoel]

Is there a general one or are they more specific? If so, which might be the best? I just want to rule out that I don’t have anything in my gut that shouldn’t be there, as I suspect I have absorption issues

Thanks

[humanbean]

I've never heard of a general treatment for all parasites you might come in contact with.

The only treatment I do know about is Mebendazole 100mg tablets for threadworms (also called pinworms). It is available from UK pharmacies without prescription, and is, as far as I know, harmless even if you don't need the treatment unless you have a dodgy liver - but please don't take my word for this - do your own research. I read once that about 50% of the entire human race is suspected of having threadworms.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/mebend...

boots.com/ovex-family-pack-...

boots.com/wcsstore/Extended...

Other links that might be of interest :

parasites.org/common-parasi...

If you want some more sophisticated tests Genova Diagnostics UK does them. Search for the word "parasitology" in their test list :

gdx.net/uk/tests/alphabetical

Genova Diagnostics UK are not an easy company to deal with because they don't like dealing with patients directly. Read about them here :

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[Noelnoel in reply to humanbean]

Thanks humanbean, it was a general test I was after and you’ve provided that, so thanks. I have no reason to think I have any kind of parasite but so many people have that I just wanted to be sure I wasn’t one of them. I won’t know for sure though till I take a test

[humanbean in reply to Noelnoel]

For threadworms I don't think there is any point in getting a test done. Just take the treatment (unless there are any possible cautions that apply to you from the Patient Information Leaflet).

For other parasites obviously testing would be beneficial.

However...

There was a time some years ago when a health problem I had was tentatively blamed on a possible giardia infection. (It turned out to be something else entirely that was nothing to do with parasites).

I asked my GP whether the treatment for giardia was at all dangerous and she said no. I suggested that I should be treated without a test. If I didn't have a giardia infection then no harm would be done, and if I did have an infection it would be treated. To my surprise she agreed, and I suspect it saved her money.

[Noelnoel in reply to humanbean]

Often the case when savings are involved but I’m surprised you believed her when she said no harm would be done, given how some of us feel about doctors and their lack of knowledge!

Anyway, I trust no harm was done!

At the moment my head’s all over the place and when I posted about parasites and general test I was actually thinking of h pylori because I hadn’t realised it was bacterial, I thought h pylori it was a parasite

Oh well, no harm done in this case as you’ve actually provided a lot of good info, so thanks

[humanbean in reply to Noelnoel]

I’m surprised you believed her when she said no harm would be done

This all happened quite some time ago. I've learned a lot since then. But I was fine after the treatment, although I was no better. The cure for what ailed me involved surgery, not treatment for parasites!

[penny]

Ivermectin is a parasitic treatment, I understand.

[Noelnoel]

Thanks Penny, it was a test I was looking for, not treatment it thanks anyway