Often, I will see clues on a CBC that let me know that Candida is present.  A low white blood cell count (WBC) has been associated with Candida overgrowth as well as a pattern of high neutrophil and low lymphocyte count.

Blood tests check for Immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) Candida antibodies in your blood, and can be performed at most any lab. Immunoglobulins are immune cells that will show elevated on a lab test in the presence of a certain pathogen. This is often how infectious diseases are diagnosed, through immunoglobulin levels. High levels of these antibodies indicate that an overgrowth of Candida is present somewhere in the body and that your immune system is reacting to it.

Remember, Candida has the ability to suppress the immune system so it is important to test your total IgG, IgA and IgM levels along with the Candida antibodies.

Low levels of total IgG, IgA or IgM could cause a false negative response to the Candida antibodies, meaning you have Candida but since your immune system is lowered, you are unable to produce a response and your blood test comes back negative.

Since I see so many patients with suppressed immune systems, I find Candida antibodies to be less sensitive than the other tests in trying to establish whether there are yeast issues in the gut.

I have seen cases with high arabinose and other yeast-sensitive markers on the urine test, but no elevations in the blood immunoglobulins. The Candida problem needs to be quite systemic before blood immunoglobulins are going to rise, where I think the urine and stool tests are more sensitive to intestinal yeast overgrowth.

Ordering the Candida IgA/IgG/IgM Blood

2The Candida Immunoglobulins Profile measures the IgA, IgG, and IgM response to Candida albicans. This is the blood test and requires a blood draw.

Exposure to candida can result in the elevation of specific antibodies, in particular IgM, IgA, and IgG. The presence of these antibodies against Candida is indicative of a possible infection or over colonization.

Candida albicans has been found to release an array of toxins that contribute to multiple symptoms related to skin issues, nail fungal infections, chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as a host of others. It is a common fungal infection associated with both acute and chronic diseases.

Which Patients is the Candida IgA/IgG/IgM Panel best used for?

Candida IgA/IgG/IgM Panel should be considered when patients present the following symptoms or conditions:

• Oral Thrush
• Skin and Nail Fungal Infections
• Tiredness or Fatigue
• Skin issues such as Eczema, Hives, Rashes, Psoriasis
• Recurring Urinary Tract Infections
• Joint Pain
• Vaginal Infections
• Brain Fog
• Digestive Issues (diarrhea, bloating, constipation)
• Anxiety or Depression
• Sinus Infections
• Strong Sugar Cravings

Learn more and Order you Candida Blood Test 

Testing For Candida #3 Organic Acid testing (OAT Test)

OAT testing or Microbial organic acid test – this is a urine test and can be done in the comfort of your own home. It measures a number of markers associated with yeast, but to me the most useful one is called arabinose – this is a waste product of Candida that shows up in the urine.

I like this test because it is easy for adults and children to collect the sample at home – just a single morning urine test is all that is needed. There are pediatric collection bags available for kids who are not potty trained, that go inside their diaper.

I also like it because it really quantifies the problem. If the Arabinose Level is supposed to be less than 29, and it comes back at 35, then we know we have a a more advanced case of fungal Overgrowth.

If the level comes back at 20, we know we know that we catching a problem in advance. It’s also a great marker to check throughout treatment to make sure treatment is going in the right direction.