Testing for mold exposure using a mold urine test might seem counter intuitive but it is actually the best way to find mold in the body. Mycotoxin exposure is a serious medical issues that can cause other health problems, Realtime Labs uses small urine test to determine if you have been exposed to toxic mold.
A Simple Test
The MycoTOX Profile is a simple, non-invasive urine test for adults and children that can quickly identify and gauge the level of any mycotoxin exposure. After reviewing the results, you will know for certain whether mold is or is not the root cause of symptoms.
Blood test.
A blood test, sometimes called the radioallergosorbent test, can measure your immune system's response to mold by measuring the amount of certain antibodies in your bloodstream known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.
Urine mycotoxin tests are not approved by FDA for accuracy or for clinical use. CDC does not recommend biologic testing of persons who work or live in water-damaged buildings nor routine environmental sampling for mold (5,6). To identify possible mold contamination, visual inspection is the first step.
Activated Charcoal: Absorbs toxins, potentially helping to clear mold spores from your system. Take it in capsule form to absorb toxins. It's best used under medical supervision, especially after known mold exposure.
Although symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms seen in people exposed to mold indoors include: Nasal and sinus congestion. Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes. Wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Mold exposure can cause a variety of neurological effects, including headaches and migraines, cognitive impairments, memory loss, confusion, impaired motor skills, depression, and other behavioral changes. Due to mold exposure, people with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to neurological symptoms.
Blood (IgE) test
The lab test measures the amount of IgE in your blood that binds to black mold. It may take a week or longer to get the results from a blood test sent to a lab.
Others who eliminate toxins slowly can experience symptoms for much longer. They could be ill for months or even years after the source of mold is eliminated.
Mold exposure has been linked to various gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating. These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to more severe digestive disturbances, depending on the individual's sensitivity and the extent of mold exposure.
The cough is typically dry and non-productive, meaning it doesn't bring up mucus. It is sometimes described as having a "barking" or "hacking" sound.
Mold is an obvious health risk in any home, but investing in an air purifier can help limit your exposure. The best among them will ideally offer HEPA-level filtration, with this level of filtration being able to trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in diameter.
It is also important to distinguish that you are not actually smelling mold when you encounter a musty smell. It is the microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs), that it produces. Based on these, it may smell earthy, greasy, or even like cat urine.
One similar test is the Urine Mycotoxin test from RealTime Labs. It measures 16 different mycotoxins and is analyzed via competitive ELISA. Another similar test is the Mycotoxins test from Vibrant Wellness. It uses mass spectrometry to measure the levels of 31 different mycotoxins in a urine sample.
It irritates the nose and throat, which can lead to both sneezing and coughing as your body tries to get rid of the irritant. Inhaling mold spores can also trigger coughing in people with allergies or an asthma attack, for those with asthma.
Mold is often described as smelling musty. Others have described mold as having an earthy or meaty odor, resembling the smell of wet socks or rotten wood. For many homeowners, the smell is unpleasant and pungent. As mold grows, it can emit gasses known as microbial volatile organic compounds, or MVOC's.
However, some common signs that may indicate mold exposure include: Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, and frequent sinus infections. Rashes, itching, burning sensations, and persistent skin irritation.
Recovery from long-term mold exposure varies based on individual health and the severity of exposure. Some may see improvement within a few days of removing the mold source, while others may take weeks or months. In severe cases, professional medical intervention may be required.
Inhalation of mycotoxins was purported to cause a range of nonspecific symptoms from fatigue and headache to respiratory symptoms, “brain fog,” and mood changes, often referred to as the “toxic mold syndrome” or within the integrative medicine community as “chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS).”
The doctor will take a health assessment and health history, and will order blood testing. Antibodies in the patient's body will be checked for a reaction to mold and to other allergens and poisons. The severity of the reaction will also be determined. A skin test will also be part of the doctor's examination.