Intestinal Parasites: Signs You May Have One

Having intestinal parasites can be a scary thought. However, you are not alone! The idea that intestinal parasites only exist in underdeveloped countries is a myth. In fact, I often saw them in my thyroid and autoimmune patients.

In this article, I’ll cover the ten most common intestinal parasite symptoms. Then I’ll discuss how to get the proper testing and treatment. In addition, you will learn how to make the most of a Parasite Breakthrough® Kit.

What is an Intestinal Parasite?

A parasite is any organism that lives and feeds off of another organism. Intestinal parasites are tiny. Usually, they are parasitic worms that feed off the material in your body.

Some examples of intestinal parasites include tapeworms, roundworms, pinworms, whipworms, and hookworms. Intestinal parasites come in many forms, so they can cause a wide range of parasite symptoms.

Some intestinal parasites consume your food, leaving you hungry after every meal. This can also make it difficult to gain weight. Others feed off your red blood cells, causing anemia. Some lay eggs that can cause itching, irritability, and insomnia.

You may have tried to repair your gut and relieve your symptoms without much success. If that is you, an intestinal parasite could be the underlying cause.

How Do You Get Parasites?

There are several ways to contract a parasite. Undercooked meat and raw fish can contain intestinal parasites. Contaminated fruits and vegetables are also culprits. This is especially true of raw.

Swimming in lakes, ponds, or creeks can also lead to a parasitic infection. It is also very easy to contract a parasite when handling animals. Some parasites can even enter the body through the bottom of your feet. There is more to it than what you eat!

Once a person contracts an intestinal parasite, it is easy to pass it along. If you have an intestinal parasite, you can easily pass eggs onto anything you touch. This includes the door handle, the salt shaker, your phone, or other people. This is why it is critical to maintain good hygiene and always wash your hands after each restroom visit.

Symptoms of Intestinal Parasites

There are MANY different types of parasites that lead to a wide range of parasite symptoms. Parasite symptoms can often appear unrelated and unexplained. The 10 most common parasite symptoms include:

1. Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is a common parasite symptom. You can get anemia due to blood loss through stool and the parasite’s consumption of blood tissue.¹,²

2. Appetite/Satiety Changes

Never feeling satisfied or full after your meals. Combining this with weight loss is another common parasite symptom. As worms in humans feed at the same time as their host, it may cause extreme hunger. Nausea, gas, and reduced hunger levels are also signs of parasites.

3. Bruxism

Grinding your teeth in your sleep, also known as bruxism, can be a symptom of intestinal parasites. Infections can also lead to anxiety and sleep disturbances.

4. Digestive Woes

Unexplained constipation, diarrhea,or gas can be intestinal parasite symptoms wreaking havoc in your gut.

5. Fatigue

Fatigue, exhaustion, depression, or frequent feelings of apathy are not only symptoms of parasites. They may also be due to possible malnutrition and anemia.

6. Joint and Muscle Pain

Pain or aching in your muscles or joints can be intestinal parasite symptoms. That’s because intestinal parasites invade joints, and also excrete toxins. These toxins cause inflammation, affecting  body function and movement.

7. Past Food Poisoning

A history of food poisoning and feeling that “your digestion hasn’t been the same since” are common parasite symptoms.

8. Skin Issues

Skin irritations, rash, hives, rosacea, or eczema can be parasite symptoms. This is due to some host-parasite interactions staying in the top skin layers.³

9. Sleep Problems

Trouble falling asleep is a parasite symptom. The same applies to waking up several times during the night. Certain parasites cause physical discomfort or alter your circadian rhythm.⁴

10. Traveler’s Diarrhea

Traveling abroad increases your risk for intestinal parasites. Traveler’s diarrhea while abroad is a major parasite symptom.

Thyroid and Parasites

Many of my patients with thyroid dysfunction also had intestinal parasites. This is particularly true of Hashimoto’s and Graves’. This is no coincidence. Infections are one of the five potential root causes of all autoimmune diseases.

Toxoplasma gondii

A potential trigger for both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ is toxoplasmosis. This is a parasitic disease caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. T. gondii can found in undercooked pork and infected cat feces. Some people who contract this parasite never experience any symptoms. Others may experience mild, flu-like symptoms.

In most people, the parasitic infection passes. In others, it can sometimes linger in your system, triggering Hashimoto’s or Graves’.

Blastocystis hominis

Blastocystis hominis is another parasite linked to Hashimoto’s. It is common in developing countries. The Centers for Disease Control says that this intestinal parasite doesn’t cause any harm.

That said, I’ve seen reports where people treated for intestinal parasites also reverse their Hashimoto’s. This is why I always recommended testing for my thryoid autoimmune patients.

The theories behind how infections trigger autoimmunity are complex. Researchers are still trying to uncover the exact mechanisms. For a more in-depth look at the connection between infections and thyroid dysfunction, check out my book, The Thyroid Connection.

Special Cases: When Intestinal Parasites Are Helpful in Autoimmunity

It’s true that intestinal parasites are often a root cause of autoimmune disease. Even so, there are certain instances in which parasites are actually helpful.

Crohn’s treatment may involve the introduction of parasitic worms called helminths to reduce symptoms. Helminths, such as hookworms and whipworms, have anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. Make sure to work with your healthcare provider if you choose to pursue this route.

How To Test For Parasites

The best way to test for an intestinal parasite is a stool test, not a blood test. Most doctors will run a conventional stool test if they see signs of parasites. However, these are not as accurate as the tests used in functional medicine.

Conventional Ova (Egg) and Parasite Stool Test

Conventional stool tests can identify parasite eggs or a mature parasite in stool. Yet this test comes with many limitations. It requires three separate stool samples. These go to a lab for a medical technician to view under a microscope. Parasites have a unique life cycle and can rotate between dormant and active. This means a technician won’t always be able to see a parasite in stool.

To identify intestinal parasites in this conventional test, a stool sample must contain a live parasite. Furthermore, it must remain alive during transit to the lab. The technician must be able to see it moving. While this can be a useful test, it does not identify dormant parasites. I often saw a high number of false-negative tests with this type of stool test.

Functional Medicine Comprehensive Stool Test

In my practice, I used a comprehensive stool test on all my patients. It uses Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology to amplify the DNA of a parasite. This test can detect parasites, whether they are alive or dead. Because this test utilizes PCR technology, it does not rely on a pathologist.

The Solution: How to Get Rid of Intestinal Parasites

Intestinal parasites attach themselves to your intestinal walls. One way to get rid of parasites is to starve them out. You can do that by being a bad host and eating the foods they hate. 

• Raw garlic: Garlic releases a compound called allicin. Allicin kills existing eggs and prevents female parasites from laying more. 
• Coconut oil: Coconit oil contains caprylic acid. This short chain fatty acid prevents parasitics from growing.
• Ginger: Ginger can reduce the production of stomach acid. This can help kill off parasites and prevent further infections.
• Apple cider vinegar: ACV can alter the body’s pH balance, which can contribute to parasite die-off.

Testing for Parasites

Following an anti-parasite diet can only go so far. The first step is to find out which species of intestinal parasites you actually have. A comprehensive stool test can identify seventeen different parasites. Once I knew which parasite a patient had, I used a prescription medication to attack that species’ central nervous system.

Supplements for Eliminating Parasites

Sometimes it’s difficult to identify intestinal parasites. That’s why I formulated The Myers Way® Parasite Breakthrough® Kit. It helps promote a healthy population of probiotic bacteria in your digestive tract. I designed this kit to help tackle the issue of microbial imbalance. It also helps populate the digestive tract with beneficial probiotic bacteria.

You can treat your intestinal parasite symptoms at home with two powerhouse supplements. In fact, I include them in my Parasite Breakthrough Kit. Microb-Clear® creates an inhospitable environment for parasitic microorganisms. It also discourages common pathogens present in the human GI tract and stomach. It does all this without hurting the beneficial gut bacteria.

Probiotic 100 Billion CFU restores and maintains healthy levels of the good bacteria. A healthy microbiome keeps infections in check, supports a healthy immune system, and repairs your gut.

Parasite Die Off Symptoms

Once you start the Parasite Breakthrough® treatment, you may immediately notice improvements. You may feel fine at first, then suddenly have flu-like or other uncomfortable symptoms. If that’s you, you might be experiencing parasite die off symptoms. Examples of die off symptoms can include headaches, brain fog, or nausea,

Parasites can release neurotoxins, heavy metals, viruses, and other toxins when they die. If you have an autoimmune disease and your body is unable to detox, those toxins recirculate in the body. This can make parasites die off symptoms worse. For example, you may experience teeth grinding, insomnia, headache, or fatigue. 

I designed The Myers Way® Parasite Breakthrough® Kit to reduce parasite die-off symptoms. There are also natural ways to support your detox pathways. These can also help minimize parasite die off symptoms. 

My goal is to empower you to discover the root cause of your parasite symptoms. From there, you can care for yourself at home. Healthy food and supportive supplements are the first steps!