Description
Parasites that cause diarrhoea, cramping, flatulence and other abdominal issues. This test tests for 6 different parasites in stool via a method called “Multiplex Real-time PCR. Parasites can lay dormant and cause problems years after being infected. Can you get parasites in the UK? Many people associate parasites with exotic countries, but even here in the UK we can get parasites. You can carry parasites without being aware of having them and sometimes they only cause mild symptoms. Parasites can be dormant for a long time, even years, without causing symptoms and are activated only when our immune system for some reason is weakened. So whether you have got parasites in the UK or abroad, you can carry it for a long time before it causes any health problems. Which parasites are tested Giardia lamblia Entamoeba histolytica Cryptosporidium spp. Cyclospora cayetanensis Blastocystis hominis Dientamoeba fragilis Common symptoms of parasites Upset stomach (cramps, flatulence, loss of appetite) IBS Diarrhoea and / or constipation Nausea Fatigue …and much more. Parasite test or other gut test? If you suffer from gut problems, we can also recommend our other gut health tests that analyses gut flora, malabsorption, leaky gut and more. We offer these as smaller gut tests or more comprehensive gut tests . For those of you who suspect Candida , we offer a test specifically for this. SIBO is also available, which is a separate test that is done via a breath test, which measures overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. About the parasites Blastocystis hominis One can be infected with Blastocystis hominis without having to experience any symptoms. Symptoms often occur when we are exposed to stress, illnesses or the like. Common symptoms are diarrhoea, constipation, bloated stomach, abdominal pain and weight loss. Some studies show that there are links between Blastocystis hominis and Hashimoto’s (autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland). Dientamoeba fragilis Dientamoeba fragilis is a common parasite and you can be infected without experiencing any symptoms. Common symptoms are diarrhoea and stomach discomfort. Some studies suggest that there is a link between IBS and dientamoeba fragilis. Giardia lamblia Giardia lamblia can survive in water (even mildly chlorinated water) for several months and it is thus more common for more people to become infected during the summer months when they spend more time outdoors and might accidentally ingest contaminated water or food. Common symptoms are bloating, nausea, discomfort and fatigue. Entamoeba histolytica Entamoeba histolytica is relatively common but leads to symptoms only in about 10-20% of those infected and can thus be difficult to detect. It is an infectious disease of the gut and causes symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting. The parasite is spread via contaminated water and food, so good hand hygiene is the key to keeping these parasites away. Most common in poor parts of the world. Cryptosporidium species Cryptosporidium is found all over the world and infection often occurs by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the parasite. Both humans and animals can be infected through their faeces. The parasite can also be transmitted between people and from animals to humans. Symptoms are often severe with diarrhoea as well as abdominal pain. Cyclospora cayetanensis Cyclospora cayetanensis is most common in tropical countries and most often transmitted through fresh and untreated plant products. It is common for the symptoms to come and go over time and the most common symptoms are diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain and weight loss. How does the Parasite Test work? The test is performed via a method called “Multiplex Real-time PCR” and involves the followin detects minimal amounts of parasites no false positives the test can be sent by regular mail reliable results even in asymptomatic individuals All our health tests including our stool tests are done from home. Everything you need to perform the test is in the test kit. The test is then sent to our ISO certified lab for analysis, and you will receive your test answer digitally.
