Why Test for Mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins cause adverse health effects that may be acute and chronic in nature that can manifest in various and ambiguous symptoms, the degree of impact can vary depending on the age, sex, genetics, and underlying health status of the exposed individual, as well as the duration and dose magnitude of the offending substance and their synergistic effects with other mycotoxins. Providers assessing symptomatic patients with known mold exposure or with an environmental history concerning mold exposure, will also need to consider the concomitant presence of mycotoxins and their potential negative health impacts as proper testing is essential for accurate treatment. The MycoTOX Profile^® is specifically designed to help healthcare practitioners identify mycotoxin exposure and guide a targeted prevention and treatment plan.

How Can Someone Be Exposed to Mycotoxins?

Common routes of exposure include inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion via commonly contaminated food sources (corn, cereals, ground and tree nuts, spices, dried fruits, apples, coffee, meat, milk, and eggs). Mold contamination can also affect nearly all indoor materials, including drywall, paint, wallpaper, carpeting, and more, posing various routes of exposure. When excessive moisture is present in high-humidity geographic areas or water-damaged buildings, the growth of these biological agents in damp environments leads to the production of spores, cells, fragments, and volatile organic compounds, which have been linked to a wide range of health hazards.