Test for Candida, Parasites, Pathogens, Viruses & Bacteria

What is causing my strange symptoms?

Dr. Cushing’s FDA approved Regular & Expanded Gastro-intestinal Panels are used to evaluate for pathogens, inflammatory markers, occult blood, & other functional markers. This is done using three stool samples and two saliva samples. This provides for the most comprehensive testing and accurate clinical results.

Human Tapeworm

Tests For:

• Yeast & fungi
• Dysbiosis
• Microscopic ova
• Parasites
• Culture for bacteria & flora (identifies pathogenic & commensal organisms).
• Chymotrypsin test to measure pancreatic digestive strength.
• Antigen test for Giardia, Clostridium difficile & Cryptosporidium.
• Inflammatory biomarkers which test levels for: lysozyme, alpha anti-chymotrypsin & intestinal SIgA, which is used to detects irritation of the small & large intestine.
• Fecal pH testing & occult blood to complete an overall picture of GI health.

Most common method of transmission of parasites is the fecal – oral route, through infected individuals via hand contact or via contaminated food & water. Parasites are highly transferable within the household. All family members should be tested and if one or more family members tests positive for a GI infection/infestation they to will need to be treated. People with low immunity with for instance T-cell (white cell) dysfunction &/or defects in intestinal antibody (IgA) secretion – are much more pre-disposed to heavy infections of pathogens affecting the GI tract. Cancer patients & patients receiving chemotherapy are at high risk for parasitic infections. Excessive over-utilization of antibiotics causes the GI tract to be more susceptible to chronic overgrowth of harmful microorganisms. These organisms produce systemic toxins that cause severe irritation of fragile nutrient-absorbing intestinal wall tissues.

Pathogen infections in the intestine are not clinically discovered solely on the basis of a patient’s medical history, physical exam &/or symptom picture. Confirmation requires specific laboratory testing to diagnosis & evaluate correctly. Most lab test are limited & do not include the specialized testing & confirmation provided by Dr. Cushing’s GI Health Panel test. Overt GI pathogen infections of an asymptomatic or a mild symptomatic nature will inevitably have a detrimental effect on gastro-intestinal function. If this goes undetected eventually it will lead to chronic illness.

Dr. Cushing tests for the following in the GI Test Panels:

• Toxoplasma Gondii: (Tissue Parasite).  This parasite is found in the tissues.  It is contracted from exposure to cat feces under cooked meats and contaminated foods.  Dr. Cushing uses a saliva test to detect for secretory IgA antibodies to Toxoplasma.  Toxoplasma Gondii can be found in the brain and muscles the symptoms associated with this type of parasite are behavioral, cognitive and memory disorders, depression, intolerance to stress and Insomnia.
• Entamoeba Histolytica (Intestinal & tissue parasite).  This type of cyst is transferred by Fecal-oral contamination usually from sexual contact or other exposure.  Dr. Cushing uses a saliva test to detect for secretory IgA antibodies to Entamoeba histolytica.  Patient symptoms associated with Entamoeba histolytica are perianal itching, episodes of diarrhea resulting in colon ulceration also can be locally invasive, causing abscesses in the lung & liver.
• Taenia Solium (Pork tapeworm). This is transferred from under-cooked pork, (also swine to human) & fecal-oral.  Dr. Cushinguses a saliva to test for secretory IgA antibodies to tapeworm.  Patient symptoms are abdominal discomfort, headaches, seizures, cognitive decline & blurry vision. They can be found in the brain & skeletal muscles.
• Trichinella Spiralls (Tissue worm)  Contracted from wildlife, eating food which has been contaminated with improperly processed meats or the meats themselves.  Dr. Cushing uses salivary to detect for secretory IgA antibodies to Trichinella.  Symptoms are diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping, muscle soreness & pain. This can lead to fibromyalgia, edema of the upper eyelids & fever.
• Ascaris lumbricoides (Roundworm).  Contacted from fecal to oral, fruits or vegetables & contaminated water.  Dr. Cushing uses saliva to detect for secretory IgA antibodies to Ascaris lumbricoides.  Symptoms are diarrhea, intestinal colic, dyspepsia & spasmodic cough it can cause nutritional deficiencies, reduced liver & pancreas function.

Treatment & Prevention

It is imperative to accurately detect and diagnosis all of the pathogens including including common parasites and worms. For therapy to be a success it is dependent on two important issues.

1. Accurate & detailed diagnosis of any agent causing both general and/or specific symptoms.
2. Targeted therapeutic supplements can be used to eradicate most offending microorganisms with a very high success rate and with little side effects.

How can I Prevent being infected?

Follow these simple rules:

1. Follow strict personal hygiene.
2. Always choose cooked food when eating outside your home.
3. Clean fruits & vegetables with a safe cleaning agent & water.
4. Don’t drink contaminated water.
5. Before you travel overseas especially to a third world country contact the CDC for tips.
6. Keep pets in designated parts of your home, washing hands after handling pets.

The Gastrointestinal Health Test Panel:

The GI Health Panel uses in-home stool & saliva samples from the patient to test for 15-22 individualized but related tests. It is a non-invasive screen of the gastrointestinal tract & its function.

Logic of Testing

For high sensitivity & specific pathogenic organism detection, Dr. Cushing’s Gastro-intestinal Health Panel tests utilize tested & proven biochemical & state-of-the-art immunological testing methods.

The panel includes:

1. Pathogen screening for bacteria, yeast, fungi & numerous parasites.
2. Screens for Digestion-related enzyme levels & immunochemical markers for the most common offending food intolerances.
3. Markers for irritation & inflammation of the intestinal tract. These markers indicate the overall status of the immunity & integrity of the gut lining.
4. Test for occult blood.

The GI Health Panel Test gives the patient a balance between comprehensive screening & economy by bundling individual appropriate individual tests together.

Advantages & Benefits:

1. Non-invasive sampling using stool & saliva
2. Patients collect their own samples at home.
3. Economical
4. Comprehensive – Tests for a broad spectrum of common pathogens & includes digestion efficiency.
5. Improved health – GI complaints identified & resolved.
6. Modular – Retests of one or several abnormal findings can be carried out without repeating the complete panel.

Who Needs the GI Health Panel Test:

Patients working in the environments below:

1. Frequent travel overseas & throughout the US.
2. Frequent eating in restaurants.
3. Those exposed to feces through sexual contact.
4. Food preparers at restaurants, homes, schools, etc.
5. Those who are confined in an institution.
6. Service personnel in the hospitality industry.
7. Dormitory residents.
8. Children in daycare centers.

Parasites can be contracted anywhere; you don’t have to leave the country as they are all around us.

Typical GI symptoms include the following:

1. Frequent bloating.
2. Intestinal gas.
3. Intestinal cramping.
4. Anal itching.
5. Diarrhea
6. Acid reflux/Heartburn.
7. Chronic skin disorders.
8. Unexplained vomiting and nausea.

All of the above are associated with and can lead to chronic illness & disease.  As the saying goes “death begins in the colon”.

Any symptoms or problems following the use of antibiotics should be investigated with Dr. Cushing’s GI panel.

All Lab tests are paid for at time of visit. No refunds or credits will be given, all sales are final.

Dr. Cushing does not accept insurance, however he will give patients the necessary diagnostic codes once a patient has completed the test and been diagnosed, so they can submit the information to their insurance carrier for possible reimbursement.