Darkfield Microscopy – Patient Information

PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS

A Darkfield microscopic examination can only provide a reliable result if you follow the instructions below carefully.

  • When you come for the exam, arrive calm and relaxed, not rushed, too hot or too cold.
  • Stop taking medications 48 hours before the exam (no sleeping pills, anti-inflammatories, sedatives, or laxatives: not even homeopathic medications or supplements). An exception to this rule is life-supporting medication which cannot be stopped, such as medicine for diabetes, asthma, heart disease, etc. Contact our office for additional information if you are not sure what drugs you should or should not stop.
  • Fast for 12-14 hours prior to your test. In order to do so, please complete your dinner the evening prior to your test no later than 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. After dinner, brush your teeth and refrain from eating or drinking anything else until after your test the following morning. (This includes chewing gum, candy, & drinking water).

(Blood examination according to Prof. Dr. G. Enderlein)

The darkfield microscopic examination of freshly taken blood is one of the most important evaluations performed at Kelowna Naturopathic Clinic. It enables us to view the inner terrain (milieu) and to assess the function and health of the blood cells (red, white, and platelets). It also reveals the state of the smallest proteins (endobionts), which are found in every human body. The presence of more developed structures such as bacteria, pre-viral and pre-fungal elements can also be viewed via this method.

The darkfield examination is most appropriate for patients with chronic diseases, people prone to recurrent infections and those with questions concerning “toxicity” (amalgam, chemical, drug, metabolic etc.). More specifically, the general state of the immune system, red cell health, excretory and detoxification functions, oxygen utilization and degenerative tendencies are all able to be judged with this test. The effectiveness of the chosen biological therapies can be ascertained, monitored and controlled by comparing blood samples taken before, during and after treatment. In addition, darkfield microscopy is a valuable preventive assessment even in those individuals in whom no obvious illness yet exists. This test cannot be replaced by any other blood test, neither by normal microscopic examination (bright field), nor by blood samples sent to laboratories.

This examination was developed and described by a German zoologist named Prof. Dr. Gunther Enderlein (1872-1968) and continued by numerous other physicians, microbiologists and researchers over the years. Investigation into this area persists today, primarily in Europe. Several versions of this technique have appeared more recently under the name of “Live Blood Analysis”. Unfortunately, these methods have done much to discredit the Enderleinian approach through the outrageous diagnostic claims made by their promoters and followers whom are mostly non-medically licensed people and whose training in microscopy may consist of only a weekend course.

Using darkfield microscopy, Enderlein observed that co-relations exist between the endobionts (proteins) and bacteria, fungi and viruses. He theorized that chronic diseases were created by the changing of the endobionts from non-disease producing forms into disease producing forms. As a result, this would cause “friendly, neutral” bacteria, viruses, & fungi to become increasingly more pathogenic. Enderlein believed that it was the state of the inner terrain (acid-base balance, liver-kidney-intestinal health, protein intake, trace nutrient levels etc.) that determined the health of the endobiont and thusly the health of the person. Certain therapies and medications have been developed to alter the terrain and help reverse the disease producing organisms and endobionts back to their neutral state.

How is the examination carried out?

A drop of blood is taken from a finger and directly put on a glass cover slip and slide. Without fixation or coloring, the blood is examined immediately with a darkfield microscope at 400X – 1000X enlargement. The blood will be re-examined again at intervals throughout the day. This procedure informs us about the speed of the cell degeneration and the health of the endobiont. The results of the test will be reported to the patient at the follow-up visit.

Darkfield microscopy does not tell us everything about a person’s health, nor does it act as a “crystal ball” to predict the future. However, when used in conjunction with other naturopathic and conventional assessments, dark-field microscopy can uniquely reveal much about one’s current and potential health status.