There are many good tests available to determine whether you have Candida.

Testing for Candida albicans antibodies has drawbacks, as the sensitivity, or accuracy, of tests varies from person to person and test to test. False positives may result from various influences, past or present. If blood tests are done prior to the immune system developing a response to Candida infections, then there may be a false-negative test result. If the immune system is suppressed or fatigued from a longstanding infection, then a false-negative test result may also be present. If the immune system has been sensitized, but the infection is no longer present, it may produce a false-positive. While all tests can be useful, it is hard to determine the accuracy from any one test.

The “Candida Spit Test” is not a valid test for Candida as it may indicate the presence of: yeast, mold, fungus, allergies, bacteria, viruses, cold weather, changes in weather, or dehydration.

Recommended Candida Tests:

Each test listed below includes a 15 min phone consultation with Dr. Jeff McCombs to interpret the results of your test ($105 value).

GI Effects Complete Profile by Genova Diagnostics – Stool PCR testing uses DNA analysis to identify microbiota including anaerobes, a previously immeasurable area of the gut environment. GI Effects is unlike any other stool analysis profile, going beyond the standard parameters for identifying gastrointestinal disorders.
The GI Effects Microbial Ecosystem Profile by Genova Diagnostics -The Microbial Profile focuses on predominate, opportunistic, and pathogenic bacteria, as well as yeast/fungi, parasites, adiposity index, and microbial and fungi sensitivities. It has been enhanced to now offer further insight into gut flora by identifying 24 Commensal Bacteria targets using PCR technology and the identification of an unlimited number of parasites using O&P technology, the gold standard for parasite detection in stool testing.
Gastrointestinal Health Panel™ by DiagnosTechs – A good combination of stool and saliva analysis, the GI Health Panel is a non-invasive screen of the gastrointestinal tract and its function. It includes 15-22 individual, yet related tests. Stool and saliva samples are submitted by the patient after home collection.
Expanded Gastrointestinal Health Panel™ by DiagnosTechs – A good combination of stool and saliva analysis, the Expanded GI Health Panel is a non-invasive screen of the gastrointestinal tract and its function. It includes 15-22 individual, yet related tests plus screening for antibodies to dairy, soy and egg proteins and immune markers of infection from four additional parasites.
Organic Acids Test by Great Plains Labs – The Organic Acids Test (OAT) provides an accurate evaluation of intestinal yeast and bacteria using a urine specimen. It measures the byproducts of Candida metabolism.
Candida Immune Complex by Genova Diagnostics – This test evaluates blood for the immune response to Candida albicans. It looks for signs of the body have been exposed to Candida previously, and is the least sensitive of the tests offered.

The best way to use testing information is to do several tests in conjunction with each other, combined with a case history, present signs and symptoms, past history of antibiotic use, and whether or not you’ve done a Candida cleanse and experienced any results.

If You Have Ever Taken An Antibiotic…

“After years of analyzing the research on Candida albicans, gastroenterology, immunology, microbiology, biology, mycology, and several other related fields, I view the true test of whether or not someone has Candida as simple as this:

If you have ever taken an antibiotic at any time in your life, then you have systemic fungal Candida.”

– Dr. Jeffrey McCombs, The Candida Expert