Mold exposure can cause a variety of health issues, from allergic reactions and asthma flares to more serious conditions like chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). If you suspect mold may be making you sick, there are a few different tests you can have done to check for mold toxicity.
Check for Allergic Reactions
One of the most common effects of mold exposure is allergic reactions and asthma flares. If you have symptoms like:
- Sneezing
- Itchy eyes
- Runny nose
- Wheezing
- Coughing
when exposed to a damp indoor environment, it may indicate an allergic response to mold. An allergist can do skin prick testing or blood tests to identify if you’re allergic to certain molds.
Test for Mold Toxins
Some types of mold produce mycotoxins, toxic substances that can cause health issues even in those who aren’t allergic. Testing your urine for mycotoxins like aflatoxin and ochratoxin can determine if you’ve been exposed to toxic mold.
Urine Mycotoxin Testing
This is done through a simple urine test ordered by your doctor. The urine sample is sent to a lab and analyzed for the presence and levels of mycotoxins. Based on the results, your doctor can determine if you have dangerous levels of mold toxins in your body.
ERMI Testing
The Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) test is done by taking dust samples from your home and analyzing them for the levels of various molds and mycotoxins present. This helps identify if you have a mold problem at home causing your symptoms.
Check for CIRS Biomarkers
Chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) is an illness caused by exposure to the inflammagens found in WDB (water-damaged buildings). If you have symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, headache, and more along with known mold exposure, your doctor may order tests for CIRS biomarkers.
C4a
C4a is an inflammatory marker that is often elevated in CIRS. A blood test can check your C4a levels – levels above 2800 ng/mL indicate inflammation from CIRS.
TGF-Beta 1
TGF-beta 1 is a cytokine that suppresses the immune system. Mold exposure raises TGF-beta 1 levels, so this blood test helps diagnose CIRS if your levels are elevated.
MSH
Low levels of the hormone MSH are associated with CIRS. A blood test detecting MSH lower than 35 pg/mL can help confirm CIRS.
VIP
VIP is an important anti-inflammatory hormone often depleted in CIRS patients. Like MSH, blood testing showing a VIP level below 23 pmol/L can help diagnose CIRS.
ADH/Osmolality
ADH and osmolality testing checks for dysregulation of fluid homeostasis, which occurs in CIRS. Abnormal results on this blood and/or urine test indicates CIRS.
MMP-9
MMP-9 is an enzyme that breaks down connective tissue and is elevated in inflammatory illnesses like CIRS. If your MMP-9 blood test comes back high, it supports a CIRS diagnosis.
HLA DR
The HLA DR gene regulates immune function and certain variations increase CIRS risk. Genetic testing for HLA DR abnormalities can help confirm CIRS.
Assess for fungal infections
In addition to mold allergies and toxicity, mold exposure can also increase your risk for fungal infections. Some infections to test for include:
1. Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is an infection caused by Aspergillus mold species that often affects the lungs and sinuses. Testing may include:
- Chest X-ray or CT scan to check for signs of infection
- Sputum culture to look for Aspergillus
- Blood tests for Aspergillus antibodies
2. Candidiasis
Candida fungus can cause oral thrush, skin infections, and systemic candidiasis when overgrown. Testing includes:
- Skin or blood cultures to identify Candida
- Stool analysis to check for Candida overgrowth
- Blood tests to detect Candida antibodies
Get a Complete Mold Panel
Specialized labs offer comprehensive mold testing panels that assess for allergies, mycotoxins, infections, and CIRS markers with one collection of samples. These can conveniently check for all potential issues related to mold sickness at once.
How it Works
A complete mold panel generally involves:
- Blood tests for allergies, mycotoxins, cytokines, hormones, and antibodies
- Urine mycotoxin test
- Stool analysis for Candida and other infections
- Potentially nasal swab or phlegm sample for mold culture
Your doctor will receive a comprehensive report indicating which test results are abnormal to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.
Evaluate Your Home and Workplace
In addition to medical tests, it’s important to assess your home, workplace, school, or anywhere else you spend a lot of time for signs of mold growth. An environmental inspection should look for:
- Water stains or moisture on walls, floors, ceilings
- Musty odor
- Peeling or curling paint or wallpaper
- Condensation on windows and surfaces
A professional mold inspector can take air and surface samples to identify high concentrations of mold. This can confirm if your environment is the source of exposure causing illness.
What If All Tests are Normal?
It’s possible to have symptoms of mold illness with normal test results. This may occur because:
- You may have a mold sensitivity that standard allergy testing doesn’t detect
- Mycotoxins clear quickly from the body so may not show up in urine testing
- Inflammatory responses can persist even after clearing an infection
- CIRS biomarkers take time to decrease after stopping exposure
If tests are negative but symptoms improve when you avoid moldy environments, it still indicates mold is likely an issue for you. Work with your doctor to control symptoms and prevent exposure.
Next Steps If Mold is Impacting Your Health
If testing confirms that mold exposure is causing health issues for you, important next steps include:
- Remove mold from your home or workplace. Address moisture sources, clean up existing growth, and consider professional remediation if mold is widespread.
- Improve air quality through dehumidifiers, air purifiers with HEPA filters, and increased ventilation.
- Boost your immune system through a healthy diet, proper sleep, stress reduction, supplements, and moderating exercise.
- Prevent and treat infections with antifungals and other medications as needed.
- Minimize chemical use to reduce total inflammation and toxicity load.
With comprehensive testing and the right treatment approach tailored to your particular health issues, you can overcome the effects of toxic mold and regain your health and well-being.
Conclusion
Mold toxicity can cause diverse symptoms and health problems. Diagnosing mold illness involves testing for allergies, infections, mycotoxins, and CIRS through a combination of bloodwork, urine samples, and home inspections. Based on your test results, your doctor can advise the best treatment options to resolve symptoms, manage sensitivity, and reduce further exposure. With proper testing and treatment, you can overcome illness due to mold toxicity.