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Are Parasites For Real and Do I Have Them?

Writer's picture: Amy TaftAmy Taft

About this time last year, I visited our primary care provider with a small stack of test results in my hand and a request for assistance in ridding my system of parasites. The nurse practitioner looked at me like I had a horn growing out of my forehead and then sort of scoffed, saying, "This is a concern in Third World countries. We really don't get parasites here in the U.S., especially in this area. Have you been dealing with severe diarrhea?"


I was prepared for that reaction and calmly explained that no, I did not have diarrhea, but I did have my CBC with differential and Gut Zoomer test results in hand. I also told him the exact kind of parasite I had, the recommended course of treatment that had been shared with me by a colleague, and explained all of the symptoms I'd suffered with for a number of years that confirmed the diagnosis.


At this point he got a little miffed, or maybe it was awkward discomfort. He didn't understand the numbers I was showing him in my labs. He wasn't familiar with the Gut Zoomer test. He had never heard of this particular parasite. And he seemed to think my symptoms were something unrelated, or maybe something I was just imagining. I could tell he was agitated and annoyed, and I knew I wasn't going to get anywhere with further conversation. He thought I was off my rocker, or worse yet - accurate in my diagnosis. He concluded the awkward and brief appointment by telling me he was not an infectious disease specialist and that I would have to seek help elsewhere. Maybe the local hospitals could help me, he suggested. So I politely thanked him for his time and made my way out. It was worth a try!


I was disappointed, but not surprised by the outcome. I was hoping they might provide the appropriate prescription so that our insurance would cover the treatment, but his response confirmed what I already anticipated - we would have more out of pocket fees by working with our functional doctor to secure the prescription I needed. I had tried the natural route a few times already using botanical protocols. They moved the needle a little bit, but I realize now that I didn't have enough understanding about parasites at the time. Neither did I have step-by-step, personalized guidance during those attempts. And finally, I did not continue the protocols long enough to address the problem thoroughly and completely . And so the infection persisted and even got worse. Those supplements are not cheap, and having tried that route 2-3 times, I decided it was time to give pharmaceuticals a chance. There is a time and place for them, and this was one of those times.


You'll be glad to hear I finally did get what I needed - not without a fair amount of frustration and drama, however. My numbers have now returned to a normal functional range, after several years of being wonky, and the symptoms that made me feel so miserable and discouraged for nearly a decade have quickly diminished to nothing. I feel human again. I feel like my body is at ease again. I can eat a variety of foods, and even restaurant food, without fear of a painful outcome.


Are parasites real? For sure they are! I've got first-hand experience. Consider how easy it is to pick up parasites during the course of normal living, especially if you have children and/or pets, and don't live in a sterilized bubble.


How do we get parasites?

  • eating raw or semi-raw meat or fish

  • living with pets

  • poor sanitation (contaminated water and food)

  • poor hygiene

  • unwashed hands

  • unwashed produce

  • exposure in the workplace, particularly in health care/hospitals, elementary education, and institutional care centers (children and elderly are more susceptible to parasitic infections)

  • foreign travel, particularly to underdeveloped countries

  • living in regions known to have parasites

  • having a weakened immune system


I can only guess, but I think I picked them up from a combination of the above. I've been an elementary school teacher, I've traveled to multiple foreign countries (among them them Ecuador, Afghanistan, and the slums of Haiti), I have a husband who routinely travels internationally, I have pets, and I did have a weakened immune system following many years of chronic stress.


As far as figuring out if you have a parasitic infection, you can google common symptoms to get a general idea, but also know that sometimes you won't have anything significant going on health-wise to alert you. You must look for other evidence beyond diarrhea - which is more an initial reaction during an acute infection, but not a symptom that necessarily continues as the infection settles in and gets all cozy in your system.


The biggest clue in my own situation was the growing list of food sensitivities I was developing. Be sure not to confuse sensitivities with allergies (an immediate or near-immediate IgE reaction) or intolerances (lacking the proper enzymes to digest certain foods like lactose in dairy). Sensitivities are caused by loss of integrity in the gut lining, and parasites will certainly initiate and contribute to that scenario. If you suddenly can't eat normal everyday foods like eggs, or certain fruits and vegetables, or even meats...foods you've never struggled with before but suddenly can't consume without significant negative symptoms...If you've been told you might have a histamine intolerance because you're now reacting to cultured, cured, and fermented foods like cheese, vinegar, pickled veggies, bacon, or wine...all of these are pointing towards a parasitic infection.


You can also use your blood work - specifically the CBC with differential, to determine if you might be dealing with parasites. There are two types of white blood cells that are designed to address parasites, and they are eosinophils and basophils. When those numbers are elevated - out of functional ranges and not just outside the conventional reference ranges (which trend towards a disease state already), I would start asking a lot more questions. I would not be surprised if this is something your doctor has never been taught, so you should be prepared to seek assistance elsewhere if you feel this might be a problem for you and you aren't getting the support or guidance you need from your conventionally trained healthcare provider.


Parasites are pretty common after all - I've read 1 in 3 individuals is dealing with an infection. Even if the current medical establishment can't or won't acknowledge that fact, I want you to be informed so you can be empowered to manage your own health to a greater degree. When you know better, you can do better.

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