According to the EPA, Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, and the Mayo Clinic reports that over 90% of chronic sinus infections are linked to mold, affecting about 10% of the population.
Molds thrive in warm, damp environments and can produce mycotoxins—over 400 types have been identified—that can cause health issues through inhalation, skin absorption, or ingestion. Exposure can trigger immune responses similar to allergies, leading to symptoms like sinus congestion, itchy skin, and shortness of breath.
Other potential symptoms of mold exposure include:
- Confusion and poor memory
- Abdominal and muscle pain
- Unexplained weight changes
- Numbness and tingling
- Metallic taste
- Dizziness and ringing in ears
- Gut issues
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Excessive thirst
- Hair loss and skin rashes
What Mold Tests Measure
Mold tests analyze samples of urine, blood, and dust from your environment to detect various known mycotoxins. Several mold tests are available through Anchor Medical Center. Here are some examples
MycoTOX Profile (Urine)
The MycoTOX Profile is a comprehensive test that screens for eleven mycotoxins from 40 species of mold using advanced mass spectrometry, all from a single urine sample. The mycotoxins tested include:
- Aflatoxin M1
- Chaetoglobosin A
- Citrinin
- Dihydrocitrinone
- Enniatin B1
- Gliotoxin
- Mycophenolic Acid
- Ochratoxin A
- Roridin E
- Sterigmatocystin
- Verrucarin A
- Zearalenone
Results: Typically available in 3-5 business days after sample receipt.
Note: Services are self-pay only and not eligible for insurance claims, including Medicare/Medicaid.
EMMA Environmental Mold and Mycotoxin Assay (Dust)
The EMMA test analyzes a dust sample to identify 10 toxigenic molds and 16 harmful mycotoxins they produce. The mycotoxins tested include:
- Aflatoxin B1
- Aflatoxin B2
- Aflatoxin G1
- Aflatoxin G2
- Gliotoxin
- Isosatratoxin F
- Ochratoxin A
- Roridin A
- Roridin E
- Roridin H
- Roridin L-2
- Satratoxin G
- Satratoxin H
- Verrucarin A
- Verrucarin J
- Zearalenone
Results: Typically available within 7-10 business days after sample receipt.
Note: This service is self-pay only and not eligible for insurance claims, including Medicare/Medicaid.
IgE Molds (Serum)
The IgE Molds panel measures IgE antibodies to 15 common indoor and outdoor molds:
- Alternaria alternata
- Aspergillus fumigatus
- Candida albicans
- Cladosporium herbarum
- Curvularia lunata
- Epicoccum purpurascens
- Fusarium moniliforme
- Helminthosporium halodes
- Mucor racemosus
- Penicillium notatum
- Phoma betae
- Pityrosporum orbiculare
- Rhizopus nigricans
- Stemphylium botryosum
- Total IgE
- Trichoderma viride
Results: Typically available within 7-10 business days after sample receipt.
Note: This service is self-pay only and not eligible for insurance claims, including Medicare/Medicaid.
In addition to mold tests, a physical examination, medical history of symptoms, and an environmental history are important for identifying the root causes of health issues related to mold exposure. This comprehensive approach helps pinpoint specific problems and guide appropriate treatment.
Treatment Plans
Treatment plans often include evaluations of home, work, and care environments to identify and eliminate mold sources. Common components may involve:
- Removing the source of mold
- Improving diet to reduce inflammation
- Using allergy medications for respiratory issues or considering immunotherapy to lessen allergic reactions
- Taking supplements to help eliminate toxins, such as antioxidants, charcoal, glutathione, NAC, garlic, and green tea
- https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality
- https://www.aafa.org/mold-allergy/
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/09/990910080344.htm
- https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/mold-toxicity-pathways-diseases/
- https://www.rupahealth.com/post/fatigue-body-aches
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164220/
- https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/22/12269
- https://www.parsleyhealth.com/blog/mold-toxicity-symptoms/
- https://medlineplus.gov/molds.html
- https://extension.psu.edu/what-are-mycotoxins