Yeast Test and Questionnaire

Here is a quote from Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum's book, "From Fatigued To Fantastic" : "There are no definitive tests for yeast overgrowth that will distinguish yeast overgrowth from normal yeast growth in the body. There is one test that may be useful, though. This is a urine tartaric acid test. Tartaric acid is a waste product of yeast overgrowth. In fermenting wine, for example, it is critical to remove the tartaric acid. Otherwise, the wine would be toxic to people. Dr. William Shaw, head of the Great Plains Laboratory in Kansas City, Missouri, has found elevations in urine tartaric acid in both CFIDS/FMS patients and autistic children. In my experience, however, using Dr. William Crook's yeast questionnaire is still the most reliable way to tell if a person is at risk of yeast overgrowth."

Yeast Connection Test - Short Version

Developed by William G. Crook, M.D.

Are Your Health Problems 
Yeast Connected?

If your answer is yes to any question, check the box in the right hand column. When you've completed the questionnaire, add up the points you've checked. Your score will help you determine the possibility (or probability) that your health problems are yeast connected. A more definitive test follows this one and it is highly recommended that you take it as well.

YES

SCORE

1. Have you taken repeated or prolonged courses
of antibacterial drugs?4

2. Have you been bothered by recurrent vaginal, prostate or urinary infections?3

3. Do you feel "sick all over," yet the cause hasn't been found?2

4. Are you bothered by hormone disturbances,including PMS, menstrual irregularities, sexual dysfunction, sugar craving, low body temperature or fatigue?2

5. Are you unusually sensitive to tobacco smoke, perfumes, colognes and other chemical odors?2

6. Are you bothered by memory or concentration problems? Do you sometimes feel "spaced out"?2

7. Have you taken prolonged courses of Prednisone or other steroids; or have you taken "the pill" for more than 3 years?2

8. Do some foods disagree with you or trigger your symptoms?1

9. Do you suffer with constipation, diarrhea, bloating or abdominal pain?1

10. Does your skin itch, tingle or burn; or is it unusually dry; or are you bothered by rashes?1

Scoring for women: If your score is 9 or more, your health problems are probably yeast connected. If your score is 12 or more, your health problems are almost certainly yeast connected.

Scoring for men: If your score is 7 or more, your health problems are probably yeast connected. If your score is 10 or more, your health problems are almost certainly yeast connected.

If your score is in the high range, you need to take the long questionnaire as well to get a more accurate indication of the severity of condition.

*Filling out and scoring this questionnaire should help you and your physician evaluate how Candida Albicans may be contributing to your health problems. Yet it will not provide an automatic yes or no answer. A comprehensive history and physical examination are important. In addition, laboratory studies, x-rays, and other types of tests may also be appropriate.

For each yes answer in Section A, circle the Point Score. Total your score, and record it at the end of the section. Then move on to Sections B and C, and score as directed.

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Section A: History Point Score

1. Have you taken tetracyclines (Sumycin®, Panmycin®, Vibramycin®,Minocin®, etc.) or other antibiotics for acne for 1 month (or longer)? Point score: 50

2. Have you, at any time in your life, taken other "broad spectrum"  antibiotics for respiratory, urinary or other infections for 2 months or longer, or for shorter periods 4 or more times in a 1-year span?  Point score: 50

3. Have you taken a broad spectrum antibiotic drug – even for one period? Point score: 6

4. Have you, at any time in your life, been bothered by persistent prostatitis, vaginitis, or other problems affecting your reproductive organs?  Point score: 25

5. Have you been pregnant 2 or more times? Point score: 5

Pregnant 1 time? Point score: 3

6. Have you taken birth control pills for more than 2 years?
Point score: 15

Taken birth control pills 6 months to 2 years?
Point score: 8

7. Have you taken Prednisone, Decadron®, or other cortisone-type drugs by mouth or inhalation** for more than 2 weeks?
Point score: 15

Taken these drugs 2 weeks or less? Point score: 6

8. Does exposure to perfumes, insecticides, fabric shop odors, or other chemicals provoke moderate to severe symptoms? Point score: 20

Does exposure produce mild symptoms?
Point score: 5

9. Are your symptoms worse on damp, muggy days or in moldy places? Point score: 20

10.Have you had athlete’s foot, ringworm, "jock itch" or other chronic fungus infections of the skin or nails that have  been severe or persistent? Point score: 20

Mild or moderate? Point score: 10

11. Do you crave sugar? Point score: 10

12. Do you crave breads? Point score: 10

13. Do you crave alcoholic beverages?  Point score: 10

14. Does tobacco smoke really bother you?
Point score: 10

Total Score, Section A _______

**The use of nasal or bronchial sprays containing cortisone and/or other steroids promotes overgrowth in the respiratory tract.
 

Section B: Major Symptoms

For each symptom that is present, enter the appropriate number in the Point Score column:

If a symptom is occasional or mild, score 3 points.
If a symptom is frequent and/or moderately severe, score 6 points.
If a symptom is severe and/or disabling, score 9 points.Total the score for this section, and record it at the end of this section.
                                                  Point Score
 

2. Feeling of being "drained"_______

3. Poor memory _______

4. Feeling "spacey" or "unreal" _______

5. Inability to make decisions _______

6. Numbness, burning or tingling _______

7. Insomnia_______

8. Muscle aches_______

9. Muscle weakness or paralysis _______

10. Pain and/or swelling in joints _______

11.Abdominal pain_______

12. Constipation_______

13. Diarrhea _______

14. Bloating, belching or intestinal gas_______

15.Troublesome vaginal burning, itching or discharge _______

16. Prostatitis_______

17. Impotence _______

18. Loss of sexual desire or feeling _______

19. Endometriosis or infertility_______

20. Cramps and/or other menstrual irregularities_______

21. Premenstrual tension_______

22. Attacks of anxiety or crying_______

23. Cold hands or feet and/or chilliness_______

24.Shaking or irritable when hungry _______

Total Score, Section B_______

 Section C: Other Symptoms*

For each symptom that is present, enter the appropriate number in the Point Score column:

If a symptom is occasional or mild, score 3 points.
If a symptom is frequent and/or moderately severe, score 6 points.
If a symptom is severe and/or persistent, score 9 points.Total the score for this section and record it in the box at the end of this section.
                                                  Point score
 

2. Irritability or jitteryness_______

3. Incoordination_______

4. Inability to concentrate_______

5. Frequent mood swings_______

6. Headaches_______

7. Dizziness/loss of balance_______

8.Pressure above ears, feeling of head swelling _______

9. Tendency to bruise easily_______

10. Chronic rashes or itching_______

11. Psoriasis or recurrent hives _______

12. Indigestion or heartburn_______

13. Food sensitivity or intolerance _______

14. Mucus in stools_______

15. Rectal itching_______

16. Dry mouth or throat_______

17. Rash or blisters in mouth_______

18. Bad breath_______

19. Foot, hair or body odor not relieved by washing _______

20. Nasal congestion or post nasal drip_______

21. Nasal itching_______

22. Sore throat_______

23. Laryngitis, loss of voice_______

24. Cough or recurrent bronchitis _______

25. Pain or tightness in chest_______

26. Wheezing or shortness of breath_______

27. Urinary frequency, urgency or incontinence _______

28. Burning on urination_______

29. Spots in front of eyes or erratic vision_______

30. Burning or tearing of eyes_______

31. Recurrent infections or fluid in ears_______

32.Ear pain or deafness_______

*While the symptoms in this section occur commonly in patients with yeast-connected illness, they also occur commonly in patients who do not have candida.

Total Score, Section C                         _______

Total Score, Section B                         _______

Total Score, Section A                         _______

Grand Total Score
(add totals from Sections A, B and C)  _______

The Grand Total Score will help you and your physician decide if your health problems are yeast-connected. Scores for women will run higher, as 7 items in this questionnaire apply exclusively to women, while only 2 apply exclusively to men.

Yeast-connected health problems are almost certainly present in women with scores over 180, and in men with scores over 140.

Yeast-connected health problems are probably present in women with scores over 120, and in men with scores over 90.

Yeast-connected health problems are possibly present in women with scores over 60, and in men with scores over 40.

With scores less than 60 for women and 40 for men, yeast are less apt to cause health problems.