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Giardia: What Its Presence Says About Gut Balance
All NiaHealth tests are processed in Canadian-certified labs, which are highly trusted by the medical community for their accuracy and reliability. Blood and urine samples are collected by licensed medical professionals and processed using state-of-the-art equipment. NiaHealth is SOC2 Type 2 certified.
What is it?
Giardia are microscopic parasites that may live in rivers, lakes, and ponds. They can also be found in soil, food, and water systems that have been contaminated with feces from infected humans or animals. They can sometimes cause chronic infections with variable symptoms including:
- Diarrhea, often with foul-smelling, greasy stools
- Bloating
- Stomach pain or cramps
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Dehydration [1]
Over time, giardiasis may also cause weight loss and nutrient malabsorption [1].
Giardiasis usually clears up within a few weeks, but symptoms may return for some people. On occasion, there may be long-term complications such as reactive arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome [2], [3], [4]. If we detect Giardia in your sample we may ask you about these symptoms and consider a referral back to your healthcare provider. (Adapted from Tiny Health)
We consider low to undetectable levels of Giardia to be optimal.
Why it matters
Reference ranges
This information is educational and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your results should be interpreted with a qualified healthcare professional in the context of your health history.
