Parasites & Intestinal Infections
If Your IBS, Fatigue & Brain Fog Keep Coming Back, a Parasite May Be Why
Intestinal parasites are far more common in the US than most people — and most doctors — realize. Standard stool tests miss the majority of them. Dr. Rispoli uses advanced PCR-based testing to find what conventional labs don't, and eliminates it at the root.
The Functional Medicine Difference
Standard Stool Tests Miss Most Parasites — PCR-Based Testing Finds What They Don't
The conventional ova and parasite (O&P) test relies on a lab technician visually identifying parasite eggs or organisms under a microscope from a single stool sample. This method misses the majority of parasitic infections — particularly protozoa like Blastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis, and Giardia — because shedding is intermittent and many organisms are too small or too fragile to survive standard processing. A single negative O&P result means very little. Even a three-sample collection using conventional microscopy has a detection rate well below 50% for many common species.
Dr. Rispoli uses PCR-based comprehensive stool analysis (GI-MAP or equivalent) that detects parasite DNA directly — regardless of shedding cycles, organism fragility, or lab technician skill. This technology identifies species that conventional testing routinely misses and provides quantitative data on parasite load. Combined with leaky gut testing, food sensitivity panels, nutrient status, adrenal function, and immune markers, the full picture of what the parasite has done to the gut and the body emerges — and a targeted, sequenced elimination and restoration protocol is built around it.
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Conditions We Treat
Parasite & Intestinal Infection Conditions Dr. Rispoli Specializes In
Intestinal Protozoa
Giardia lamblia, Blastocystis hominis, and Cryptosporidium are among the most common intestinal parasites in the US — and among the most commonly missed. They cause chronic diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and malabsorption that is routinely misdiagnosed as IBS. PCR-based stool testing identifies them definitively.
Roundworms, Hookworms & Pinworms
Soil-transmitted helminths are more prevalent in the US than commonly acknowledged. Hookworms cause iron-deficiency anemia and protein malnutrition. Roundworms (Ascaris) cause intestinal obstruction and immune dysregulation. Pinworms cause perianal itching and sleep disruption — and are highly contagious within households.
Tapeworms / Cestodes
Taenia species and other tapeworms are acquired through undercooked meat and contaminated water. They can grow to extraordinary lengths in the intestine while causing surprisingly subtle symptoms — weight loss despite normal appetite, nutrient deficiencies, and intermittent abdominal pain. PCR stool testing and targeted antibody panels identify them.
Protozoan Infections
Entamoeba histolytica causes amoebic dysentery and liver abscesses in severe cases, but more commonly presents as chronic intermittent diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Dientamoeba fragilis is a flagellate protozoan strongly associated with IBS-like symptoms, fatigue, and eosinophilia — and is almost universally missed by conventional testing.
Parasite-Driven Leaky Gut & Dysbiosis
Intestinal parasites damage the gut lining, disrupt the microbiome, and promote intestinal permeability. This creates a cascade of food sensitivities, systemic inflammation, and immune activation that persists long after the parasite is eliminated — unless the gut is specifically tested and treated as part of the protocol.
Parasite-Triggered Autoimmune Reactivity
Chronic parasitic infection drives persistent immune activation and gut permeability that can trigger autoimmune cross-reactivity. Patients with Hashimoto's, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions frequently have unaddressed parasitic infections as a key driver of their ongoing immune dysregulation.
Parasite-Driven IBS / IBD-Like Symptoms
The majority of patients diagnosed with IBS have never been tested for parasites with PCR-based methods. Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis alone account for a significant proportion of IBS diagnoses that resolve completely once the parasite is identified and eliminated. Dr. Rispoli tests before diagnosing.
Parasite-Related Immune Suppression & Fatigue
Chronic parasitic infection depletes iron, B12, zinc, and other nutrients essential for immune function and energy production. The resulting immune suppression leaves patients vulnerable to secondary infections, Candida overgrowth, and viral reactivation. Nutrient repletion and immune restoration are integral parts of every parasite protocol.
Do You Recognize These?
Symptoms That Signal a Parasitic Infection
Parasitic infections are masters of disguise — their symptoms overlap almost perfectly with IBS, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and anxiety disorders. These are the most common presentations Dr. Rispoli sees in parasite patients who have been misdiagnosed for years.
Been told it's just IBS?
The majority of IBS patients have never been tested for parasites with PCR-based methods. A free discovery call with Dr. Rispoli can determine whether a parasitic infection is the real diagnosis.
Advanced Functional Testing
The Parasite Panel That Finds What Standard Tests Miss
Conventional stool testing misses the majority of parasitic infections. Dr. Rispoli uses a multi-layered functional panel that detects parasites by DNA, maps the downstream gut damage, and identifies every nutritional and immune consequence — so nothing is missed and treatment is precisely targeted.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis (GI-MAP PCR)
PCR-based DNA detection identifies parasite species directly from stool — regardless of shedding cycles or organism fragility. GI-MAP and equivalent panels detect Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis, and helminth DNA with sensitivity far exceeding conventional microscopy.
Ova & Parasite (O&P) Microscopy — 3-Sample
A three-sample O&P collection using concentration techniques and permanent staining is used as a complementary method alongside PCR testing. While less sensitive than PCR for protozoa, it remains the gold standard for detecting helminth eggs and larvae and provides morphological confirmation of PCR findings.
Organic Acids Test (OAT)
The OAT assesses dysbiosis markers, immune activation patterns, mitochondrial function, and neurotransmitter metabolism — all of which are disrupted by chronic parasitic infection. It also detects secondary Candida overgrowth that frequently develops in the immune-suppressed gut environment parasites create.
Leaky Gut / Intestinal Permeability Panel
Parasites physically damage the intestinal lining and disrupt tight junctions. We test for zonulin, occludin, and actomyosin antibodies to quantify intestinal permeability and guide the gut-lining repair protocol — a critical step after parasite elimination to prevent ongoing food sensitivity and immune activation.
Food Sensitivity / IgG Testing
Parasite-driven leaky gut creates widespread food sensitivities that persist after the parasite is eliminated. Identifying and removing reactive foods reduces the inflammatory burden on the immune system and accelerates gut healing — an essential component of the post-elimination restoration phase.
Adrenal & Cortisol Testing
Chronic parasitic infection places sustained stress on the adrenal glands and dysregulates the HPA axis. A 4-point salivary cortisol panel maps the cortisol rhythm and identifies adrenal dysfunction patterns that must be addressed to restore immune function and energy after parasite clearance.
Nutrient Deficiency Panel
Iron, B12, zinc, and vitamin D are the nutrients most commonly depleted by intestinal parasites — hookworms consume blood directly, tapeworms compete for B12, and all parasites impair absorption. Identifying and repleting these deficiencies is foundational to immune restoration and energy recovery.
Heavy Metals & Toxin Panel
Parasites impair the same detoxification pathways that clear heavy metals, and heavy metal burden suppresses the immune function needed to control parasitic infection. Co-existing heavy metal toxicity is common in chronic parasite patients and must be identified as part of the total toxic load assessment.
Comprehensive Immune Panel
Chronic parasitic infection dysregulates the immune system in characteristic ways — elevating IgE, driving eosinophilia, suppressing Th1 immunity, and promoting Th2 dominance. A comprehensive immune panel identifies the immune dysregulation pattern and guides immune restoration alongside parasite elimination.
Our Programs
Personalized Parasite Detection & Gut Restoration Programs
Foundation
Parasite Detection & Elimination Protocol
A 90-day foundational protocol for patients with suspected or confirmed parasitic infection. We run the full PCR stool panel and O&P microscopy, identify your parasite species and load, and build a personalized elimination protocol using targeted pharmaceutical and botanical antiparasitic agents.
- GI-MAP PCR stool analysis and O&P microscopy
- Targeted antiparasitic protocol by species
- Probiotic and gut-lining repair support
- Nutrient repletion for iron, B12, zinc, and vitamin D
Advanced
Parasite & Gut Dysbiosis Restoration Protocol
A 6-month deep-dive for patients with parasitic infection complicated by leaky gut, food sensitivities, secondary Candida overgrowth, or SIBO. We address the full spectrum of gut dysbiosis — parasitic, fungal, and bacterial — with a sequenced, layered treatment approach.
- Full parasite, Candida, SIBO, and leaky gut panel
- Sequenced antiparasitic and gut restoration protocol
- Food sensitivity identification and elimination plan
- Comprehensive microbiome rebuilding program
Comprehensive
Total Gut & Immune Restoration Program
Our most comprehensive program for patients with chronic parasitic infection complicated by autoimmune reactivity, heavy metal burden, adrenal dysfunction, or severe immune suppression. Every driver of immune dysfunction and gut damage is addressed in a coordinated, multi-phase protocol.
- Full parasite, immune, heavy metal, and adrenal panel
- Integrated parasite, detox, and immune restoration protocol
- Autoimmune and adrenal recovery support
- Ongoing monitoring and protocol optimization
The Process
How Dr. Rispoli Finds and Eliminates Parasites at the Root
Free Discovery Call
A 30-minute phone consultation to review your history, symptoms, travel history, previous treatments, and lab work. We determine whether parasitic infection is a likely driver and whether Dr. Rispoli's approach is the right fit — at no cost.
Comprehensive Testing
We run the full parasite panel — GI-MAP PCR stool analysis, O&P microscopy, OAT, leaky gut markers, food sensitivities, adrenal cortisol, nutrient status, heavy metals, and immune panel. This gives us a complete map of the infection and every downstream consequence.
Targeted Elimination Protocol
Based on your results, Dr. Rispoli builds a personalized antiparasitic protocol — pharmaceutical agents, botanical antiparasitals, or a combination — selected specifically for your parasite species and load. Gut-lining repair, probiotic restoration, and nutrient repletion run concurrently to rebuild what the parasite damaged.
Restore & Prevent Recurrence
Follow-up testing confirms parasite clearance and tracks gut healing markers. We then transition to a long-term microbiome restoration plan — rebuilding the diverse, resilient gut ecosystem that prevents re-infection and resolves the food sensitivities, immune dysregulation, and fatigue the parasite left behind.
Patient Stories
Real Results From Real Patients
"I had been diagnosed with IBS for eight years. Four gastroenterologists, two colonoscopies, and countless medications — nothing worked. Dr. Rispoli ran a GI-MAP and found Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis. Three months after treatment, my IBS symptoms were completely gone. I wish I had found her years ago."
Christine M.
Parasite-driven IBS patient, Agoura Hills CA
"I had severe iron-deficiency anemia that my hematologist couldn't explain. My ferritin was 4 despite iron infusions. Dr. Rispoli found hookworm on PCR testing. After eliminating the hookworm and repleting my iron stores, my ferritin normalized for the first time in five years."
Rebecca S.
Hookworm & iron deficiency patient, Thousand Oaks CA
"My brain fog was so severe I had to stop working. Every test my neurologist ran was normal. Dr. Rispoli found Giardia and significant leaky gut. Treating both resolved my brain fog within four months. I'm back to work full time."
Jennifer L.
Giardia & brain fog patient
"My Hashimoto's antibodies kept rising despite optimal thyroid treatment. Dr. Rispoli found Entamoeba histolytica driving my leaky gut and autoimmune reactivity. Eliminating the parasite and healing my gut stabilized my antibodies for the first time in three years."
Patricia K.
Parasite-driven autoimmune patient, Westlake Village CA
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Started
Ready to Find Out If a Parasite Is Behind Your Symptoms?
If you've been told you have IBS, chronic fatigue, or unexplained anemia and nothing has worked, the right test may never have been run. Book a free 30-minute discovery call with Dr. Rispoli and find out whether a parasitic infection is driving your symptoms — and what it will take to eliminate it for good.