Symptoms of Mold Illness

Mold symptoms are often misdiagnosed or missed entirely, but they can cause real harm. Mycotoxin Toxicity or mycotoxicosis, also commonly referred to as mold illness or mold poisoning, is caused by exposure to mycotoxins, the toxic substances produced by fungi or mold. Mold is all around us and people have largely lived alongside mold in a symbiotic relationship. Some molds, however, are poisonous to humans and our pets. These molds can be found in our homes and in a variety of foods we consume such as our morning coffee, afternoon trail mix, or even cheese we eat. 

The severity of the mycotoxin experience depends on 3 main factors:  

1. The type of mycotoxin you are exposed to 
2. The extent of your exposure 
3. Your body’s ability to detoxify 

Ultimately, the longer or more intense your exposure is to mycotoxins, the greater the chance you may develop noticeable or even severe symptoms. Additionally, each body handles toxins differently. Genetics, overall health, and even age can influence how effectively someone is able to eliminate mycotoxins. Because of these variations, people exposed to the same volume of mycotoxins may experience entirely different symptoms at varying degrees of intensity.  

There are, however, common symptoms that are often overlooked. Dr. Marjorie Peak, a RealTime Labs consulting physician, notes that, “The majority of patients with mold or environmental illness have seen 10-12 doctors before finding the causes and beginning of solutions to their ailments. This is partly because symptoms are nonspecific and overlap other conditions.” The most common mycotoxin toxicity symptoms include: 

Diagram of Mold Symptoms in the Body

Mold Toxicity symptoms can be nonspecific or appear similar to symptoms caused by inflammatory issues such as food sensitivities, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), or even viruses. Therefore, understanding where mycotoxin exposures happen and what your potential exposure may be is imperative. Asking yourself questions like: “Did my symptoms start after a move to a new home or work environment?” can help you identify if mold may be the root cause of symptoms.  

For a full list of questions to ask if you think you may be suffering from mold poisoning or mycotoxin toxicity, take a look at our blog “6 Questions To Ask Yourself If You Think You Have Toxic Mold Poisoning”. 

The best way to determine if your symptoms or illness is caused by or being inflamed by mycotoxin toxicity is to get tested. A simple urine test can tell you if you have been exposed to 16 of the most common mycotoxins that are toxic to humans. This will give you the insights you need to know if mold is the culprit behind your health issues. 

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