Is there an at home test for parasites?

There are many at home tests for parasites. Testing for parasites at home is very easy. Our Ultimate, Advanced and Essential Gut Health Tests all test for parasites, and our Ultimate Gut Health Test also detects worms (helminths).

What are the signs that you have a parasite?

There are many types of parasites, and they all produce different signs and symptoms in different people. However, there are some common symptoms that many of them share. Here are ten of the most common symptoms of parasites [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2011630/]: diarrhoea skin bumps or rashes weight loss increased appetite abdominal pain and vomiting sleeping problems anaemia aches and pains allergies weakness

Can parasites cause IBS symptoms?

Parasites can, and do cause IBS symptoms [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5680167/]. If you have IBS symptoms, like diarrhoea, bloating and constipation, you could have a parasite. However, it’s equally likely that you don’t. There are many things that can cause IBS symptoms: a parasitic infection is just one of them. That’s why a comprehensive stool analysis like a Healthpath Gut Health Test is a great idea: it gives you a window into the goings-on of your gut, and can reveal the root causes of your IBS symptoms.

What else could be causing symptoms of parasites?

The symptoms of parasites are also the symptoms of many other conditions. In fact, all of the above symptoms can also be symptoms of IBS. IBS is known as a ‘diagnosis of exclusion.’ That means that your doctor will diagnose you with IBS once they have ruled out other, more serious causes of your symptoms, like IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), cancer or gut infections. So if you have a diagnosis of IBS, you need to dig deeper into your gut health to find out why you have symptoms like diarrhoea, bloating and constipation. Some root causes of IBS symptoms are: SIBO SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. If you have SIBO, it means you have too many bacteria living in your small intestine, where numbers should be much lower than in your lower intestine, or colon. Upto 85% of people with IBS symptoms have SIBO [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2890937/]. Find out all you need to know about SIBO Take an at-home SIBO test Food intolerances Food intolerances are different to food allergies. Food intolerances often happen as a result of an imbalance of the populations of microbes in your gut, known as dysbiosis [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6767923/]. Dysbiosis Dysbiosis is an imbalance of the communities of microbes that live in your gut. Your gut includes both your small and large intestine. Countless studies have shown that dysbiosis is a significant root cause of IBS symptoms [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6579922/#:~:text=Multiple%20reports%20have%20linked%20IBS,.%2C%202011%2C%202012).]. You can read more about dysbiosis in our blogs: How long does it take to repopulate the gut with good bacteria? How to get rid of bad bacteria in the gut The good news is that with the right diet, targeted supplements, time and patience, you can rebuild your microbiome, tackle dysbiosis and find relief from your IBS symptoms. All our Gut Health Tests reveal the types and levels of bacteria you have in your gut. You’ll also get information on: your pH levels your microbial diversity your enterotype (which population your microbiome most closely matches) your dysbiosis index (how balanced your microbiome is) the presence of yeasts and moulds (including candida) the presence of H. pylori and other pathogenic bacteria your digestive function, immune system and levels of inflammation evidence of leaky gut (a biomarker called zonulin measures intestinal permeability) Stress Stress affects your microbiome through the hormones your body releases when you’re in fight, flight or freeze mode [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5736941/] People who have had a traumatic accident show a significant reduction in many types of bacteria in their gut microbiomes only 72 hours after their injury [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29766103/]. You can have many, or all of these root causes. Quite often, they are all driving each other in a vicious cycle.

Does the NHS test for parasites?

The NHS does test for parasites but the method they use is not very sensitive. As far as we know, the NHS only uses microscopes to detect parasites, worms and their eggs in stool samples. While this method will pick up more severe infections, it can often result in false negatives (you get a negative result for parasites when you do actually have an infection) [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24668556/]. This method relies on the experience of the person behind the microscope. In other words, a more experienced lab technician is more likely to spot evidence of a parasite or worm infection than somebody who is relatively new on the job. Worms and parasites can break apart easily, and sometimes stool samples will only contain fragments or sections of them. Those ‘pieces’ are a lot more difficult to spot than whole parasites or worms.

What’s the best way to test for parasites?

The best way to test for parasites is by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology. The PCR method ‘looks for’ the DNA in parasites and worms. Because DNA is present in every cell of every organism, PCR technology can pick up an infection from any part of a parasite or worm, no matter how small. One research paper [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0732889315004046] compared traditional microscopy testing for the parasite Giardia with PCR technology, and concluded that PCR technology should replace microscopy in all clinical settings for ‘all protozoans’ (parasites). At Healthpath, we use PCR technology to test for six types of parasites and 13 types of worms (helminths).

What parasites do humans get?

Here’s a list of the most common parasites and worms found in humans: Parasites Pathobionts (organisms that don’t always need to be eradicated) Blastocystis hominis Dientamoeba fragilis Pathogens (organisms that do need to be eradicated) Giardia lamblia Entamoeba histolytica Cryptosporidium spp. Cyclospora cayetanensis Helminths (worms) All worms are pathogenic (potentially dangerous) and need to be treated. Taenia species (tapeworms) Taenia solium Taenia saginata Ascaris species (roundworms) Enterobius vermicularis (pinworms) Ancylostoma species (hookworms) Necator americanus (New World hookworm) Ancylostoma duodenale (Old World hookworm) Hymenolepsis species (dwarf tapeworm) Hymenolepsis diminuta Hymenolepsis nana Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) Strongyloides species (threadworm) Strongyloides stercoralis Microsporidia (fungal parasites) Enterocytozoon species Encephalitozoon species

FAQ Schema Article Schema Markup

Parasitic infections & Pathogenic bacteria

This is when a parasite lives in your intestines and eats your food.

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What is it?

A parasite is an organism that feeds off another organism. Unlike friendly bacteria, parasites are harmful to your health. They challenge your immune system, eat the food you consume and damage your gut.

There are lots of different parasites, including both protozoa and worms. It’s true that dirty water is a common source of parasites, but they can also be found in undercooked meat or on contaminated food.

Symptoms of parasitic infection can show up in the digestive system, leading to constipation, diarrhoea, gas and bloating. They can also cause symptoms outside the gut, such as skin issues, fatigue and aching muscles.

Why does it happen?

Parasitic infections can occur for a few reasons:

Drinking contaminated water.

This typically happens when people travel to developing countries. People avoid tap water, but forget that ice cubes can also carry parasites.

Eating contaminated food.

Parasites have been found on fruits and vegetables. They’ve also been found in raw meat, and can survive if the meat isn’t cooked thoroughly.

By cross-contamination.

If a person has a parasite, it’s easy to pass them along. If they don’t wash their hands after using the loo, for example, they can transfer microscopic eggs onto anything they touch.

Think you have a parasite? Talk to our experts for free

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November 2020

Healthpath was the best thing I’ve ever done! I struggled for 2 years before I found them, and I couldn’t be more happy knowing I now have a plan going forward.

Viktoria

October 2020

Amazing company. They look at you as an individual. This is the way medicine should be practiced, instead of just handing out things to plaster over your symptoms.

Leanne

October 2020

Completely impressed with the service I received from HealthPath, very easy to follow information neatly presented and their advice seems to be helping. Thank you!

John

What can I do about it?

If you have a parasitic infection, you’ll likely need help from an expert to get rid of it. Here’s where to start:

01

Take a stool test.

This can identify whether you’re carrying parasites, and what kind they are.

02

Eat anti-parasitic foods.

Certain foods can help fight back against parasites. These include garlic, onion, pumpkin seeds and herbs such as oregano and thyme.

03

Eat probiotic foods.

An imbalanced gut microbiome is more susceptible to parasitic infection. Support your microbial diversity by eating probiotic foods daily.

Associated symptoms of parasites

Constipation

Bloating

Flatulence

Diarrhoea

Weight loss

Vomitting

Increased appetite

Abdominal pain

Aches

Fatigue

Rash

Hives

Or take with our free online symptom survey:

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FOOD	200+	120+	40+

Dairy/Eggs
Alpha-Lactalbumin
Beta-Lactoglobulin
Casein
Egg White
Egg Yolky
Milk (Buffalo)
Milk(Cow)
Milk(Goat)
Milk(Sheep)

Fish/Seafood
Anchovy
Bass
Bass
Caviar
Clam
Cockle
Cod
Crab
Cuttlefish
Eel
Haddock
Hake
Herring
Lobster
Mackerel
Monkfish
Mussel
Octopus
Oyster
Perch
Pike
Plaice
Salmon
Sardine
Scallop
Sea Bream (Gilthead)
Shrimp/Prawn
Sole
Squid
Swordfish
Trout
Tuna
Turbot

Fruits
Apple
Apricot
Avocado
Banana
Blackberry
Blackcurrant
Blueberry
Cherry
Cranberry
Date
Fig
Grape (Black/Red/White)
Grapefruit
Guava
Kiwi
Lemon
Lime
Lychee
Mango
Melon (Galia/Honeydew)
Mulberry
Nectarine
Olive
Orange
Papaya
Peach
Pear
Pineapple
Plum
Pomegranate
Raisin
Raspberry
Redcurrant
Rhubarb
Strawberry
Tangerine
Watermelon

table>

Grains
Amaranth
Barley
Buckwheat
Corn (Maize)
Couscous
Durum Wheat
Gliadin
Malt
Millet
Oat
Quinoa
Rice
Rye
Spelt
Tapioca
Wheat
Wheat Bran

Herbs & Spices
Aniseed
Basil
Bayleaf
Camomile
Cayenne
Chilli (Red)
Cinnamon
Clove
Coriander (Leaf)
Cumin
Curry(Mixed Spices)
Dill
Garlic
Ginger
Ginseng
Hops
Liquorice
Marjoram
Mint
Mustard Seed
Nettle
Nutmeg
Parsley
Peppercorn (Black/White)
Peppermint
Peppermint
Rosemary
Saffron
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme
Vanilla
Meat
Beef
Chicken
Duck
Horse
Lamb
Ostrich
Partridge
Quail
Rabbit
Turkey
Veal
Venison
Wild Boar

Miscellaneous
Agar Agar
Aloe Vera
Carob
Chestnut
Cocoa Bean
Coffee
Mushroom
Tea (Black)
Tea (Green)
Yeast (Baker’s)
Yeast (Brewer’s)
Nuts/Seeds
Almond
Brazil
Nut
Cashew Nut
Coconut
Flax Seed
Hazelnut
Macadamia Nut
Peanut
Pine Nut
Pistachio
Rapeseed
Sesame Seed
Sunflower Seed
Tiger Nut
Walnut

Vegetables
Artichoke
Asparagus
Aubergine
Bean (Broad)
Bean (Green)
Bean (Red Kidney)
Bean (White Haricot)
Beetroot
Broccoli
Brussel Sprout
Cabbage (Red)
Cabbage (Savoy/White)
Caper
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chickpea
Chicory
Cucumber
Fennel (Leaf)
Leek
Lentil
Lettuce
Marrow
Onion
Pea
Pepper (Green/Red/Yellow)
Potato
Radish Rocket
Shallot
Soya Bean
Spinach
Squash (Butternut/Carnival)
Sweet Potato
Tomato
Turnip
Watercress
Yuca