What is Giardia lamblia?

Giardia lamblia—also known as Giardia intestinalis or Giardia duodenalis—is a microscopic protozoan parasite that infects the small intestine. It is one of the most common causes of parasitic gastrointestinal infections worldwide, affecting both children and adults.

Giardia spreads through contaminated water, food, or surfaces, and is especially common in areas with poor sanitation or in people who travel, camp, or drink untreated water.

On stool testing panels like the Vibrant Wellness Gut Zoomer, Giardia lamblia is included to detect active parasitic infections that may be causing symptoms like diarrhea, fatigue, or malabsorption.

G. lamblia is a flagellated protozoan parasite that colonizes and reproduces in the small intestine. G. lamblia causes giardiasis. Giardiasis does not spread via the bloodstream, nor does it spread to other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Giardiasis remains in the lumen of the small intestine. Chronic infection with Giardia may abate and the patient could become asymptomatic. Asymptomatic individuals may become reservoirs for spreading the infection. Antibodies against G. lamblia may cross-react with human tissue antigens such as tubulin, actin, actinin, tropomyosin and others. The end result may be autoimmunity against those tissues.

Elevated antibody levels can be clinically significant — while the antibodies themselves don’t destroy anything, they do trigger an inflammatory response that can cause significant destruction of tissue and resulting symptoms. This response is not necessarily dependent on antibody levels. However, an equivocal result may mean you are just beginning to exhibit an immune reaction, so this is an important time to take measures to support the body in damping immune reactivity.

The wheat tested is the full kernel containing the protein constituents of wheat. This includes what may be on or in the wheat kernel. These are gluten proteins, and non-gluten proteins (non-gluten proteins A and B and Wheat Germ Agglutinins). A positive result to wheat means that your digestive system is not absorbing these proteins well, therefore your immune system starts producing antibodies to gluten or non-gluten part(s) of wheat.

The wheat tested is the full kernel containing the protein constituents of wheat. This includes what may be on or in the wheat kernel. These are gluten proteins, and non-gluten proteins (non-gluten proteins A and B and Wheat Germ Agglutinins). A positive result to wheat means that your digestive system is not absorbing these proteins well, therefore your immune system starts producing antibodies to gluten or non-gluten part(s) of wheat.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a structural protein found in astrocytes, the support cells that help protect and maintain healthy brain and spinal cord function. When these cells become stressed, inflamed, or damaged, GFAP can be released into the bloodstream. Because of this, GFAP serves as a biomarker for central nervous system injury, inflammation, and neurodegeneration.

What does GFAP help evaluate?

GFAP is commonly measured to support evaluation of:

• Traumatic brain injury or concussion

• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

• Neuroinflammatory disorders (including multiple sclerosis)

• Autoimmune or infectious conditions affecting the brain

• Neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or ALS)

• Post-viral or long-COVID neurological symptoms

It is often analyzed alongside other neurological markers like neurofilament light chain (NFL) or tau to provide a clearer picture of brain cell integrity.

What does an elevated GFAP level mean?

Higher GFAP levels may indicate active astrocyte injury or inflammation. This can result from head trauma, neuroinflammation, degenerative disease processes, or other neurological stressors. Symptoms that may accompany elevated GFAP can include headaches, cognitive changes, memory difficulties, dizziness, numbness or tingling, vision or balance issues, or fatigue—depending on the underlying condition.

What does a normal GFAP mean?

Normal GFAP levels generally suggest no current detectable injury or inflammation in the central nervous system. However, normal results do not rule out all neurological conditions—clinical symptoms, medical history, and possibly imaging should still be considered.

What happens next if your GFAP is high?

If GFAP is elevated, your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Additional neurological markers (e.g., NFL, tau, inflammatory markers)

• Brain imaging studies (MRI, CT) if clinically indicated

• Neurological examination or referral to a specialist

• Monitoring levels over time

Gliotoxin is produced by the mold genus Aspergillus. Aspergillus spreads in the environment by releasing conidia which are capable of infiltrating the small alveolar airways of individuals.

Gliotoxin is a mycotoxin (toxic substance made by mold), most commonly produced by Aspergillus fumigatus and related mold species. These molds often grow in water-damaged buildings, damp indoor spaces, soil, compost, and decaying plant matter, making gliotoxin exposure possible in homes, workplaces, and agricultural environments.

Gliotoxin belongs to a group of compounds called epipolythiodioxopiperazines (ETPs), which are known for their ability to suppress the immune system and increase oxidative stress in human cells.

Gliotoxin (GTX) is produced by the mold genus Aspergillus. Aspergillus spreads in the environment by releasing conidia which are capable of infiltrating the small alveolar airways of individuals.

Gliotoxin (GTX) is produced by the mold genus Aspergillus. Aspergillus spreads in the environment by releasing conidia which are capable of infiltrating the small alveolar airways of individuals. In order to evade the body’s defenses Aspergillus releases Gliotoxin to inhibit the immune system. One of the targets of Gliotoxin is PtdIns (3,4,5) P3. This results in the downregulation of phagocytic immune defense, which can lead to the exacerbation of polymicrobial infections. Gliotoxin impairs the activation of T-cells and induces apoptosis in monocytes and in monocyte-derived dendritic cells. These impairments can lead to multiple neurological syndromes.

Gliotoxin: What It Is and What Your Test Results Mean

What is gliotoxin?
Gliotoxin is a toxic secondary metabolite (mycotoxin) produced by several fungal species, including Aspergillus, Candida, Eurotium, Trichoderma, Neosartorya, Penicillium, and Acremonium. It is most commonly associated with Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger—fungi known for causing invasive infections, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems.

How Does Gliotoxin Exposure Occur?

• Inhalation or environmental exposure: Mold-contaminated indoor environments can release airborne spores that contain gliotoxin.

• Ingestion: Gliotoxin may be present in contaminated food, especially in poorly stored grains, nuts, and spices.

• Fungal infection: Gliotoxin is produced internally during active fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Health Effects of Gliotoxin

Gliotoxin is harmful due to its:

• Immunosuppressive properties, weakening the body’s ability to fight infections

• Genotoxicity, meaning it can damage DNA

• Role in fungal pathogenicity, helping fungi evade immune responses and spread within the host

In clinical settings, gliotoxin-producing fungi have been detected in the bloodstream of patients with compromised immunity, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplants, or living with HIV/AIDS.

What does an EQUIVOCAL Gliotoxin test result mean?

An equivocal result means the level of gliotoxin detected is inconclusive—neither clearly positive nor negative. This result typically indicates that the gliotoxin concentration is near the test's threshold for detection and may be influenced by:

• Mild or transient exposure

• Early-stage fungal colonization

• Laboratory variability or sample quality issues

What to do if your gliotoxin result is equivocal:

• Retest: A follow-up test can help determine whether the exposure is increasing, decreasing, or resolving.

• Evaluate symptoms and risk: Discuss any signs of fungal infection or immune compromise with your healthcare provider.

• Environmental assessment: Consider testing your home or workplace for mold if environmental exposure is suspected.

• Support detoxification: Some approaches to support clearance of mycotoxins include optimizing liver function, ensuring proper hydration, and using binders or antioxidants under clinical guidance.

What is globulin?

Globulin is a protein and is made in the liver. High levels may indicate autoimmune disease, infections or cancer. A low globulin reading may be a sign of liver or kidney disease. 

About 40% of the proteins in your blood are alpha, beta and gamma globulins. Albumin is the other common blood protein.

Globulin forms the main transport system for various substances as well as a constituant of the antibody system (“immunoglobulins”) that fights infections and viruses. Globulins are also needed to form blood clots and keep the liver and kidneys functioning. 

The globulin value on the chemistry panel is not measured, but is calculated by the equation: Globulins = Total protein – Albumin.

There are four groups of globulins. Serum protein electrophoresis is the test used to distinguish one from another and establish levels of each within the bloodstream.

Non-gluten proteins constitute about 25% of the total protein content of wheat cereal. Recently it has been shown that these non-gluten proteins are immune-reactive in individuals with wheat sensitivity. The 5 groups of non-gluten proteins which are distinctly different from the gluten proteins that are responsible for inflammation in patients with wheat sensitivity are serpins, purinins, farinins, amylase/protease inhibitors and globulins.

Glucagon is a peptide hormone secreted from the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Hypoglycemia is physiologically the most potent secretory stimulus and the best known action of glucagon is to stimulate glucose production in the liver and thereby to maintain adequate plasma glucose concentrations. However, glucagon is also involved in hepatic lipid and amino acid metabolism and may increase resting energy expenditure. Based on satiety-inducing and food intake-lowering effects of exogenous glucagon, a role for glucagon in the regulation of appetite has also been proposed.