MycoTOX Profile Explained: Testing for Mold Toxin Exposure

You're exhausted all the time. Your brain feels foggy. You get headaches that won't quit. Your breathing feels off, or maybe you're dealing with chronic sinus issues that never resolve. You've seen doctors. You've had tests. Everything comes back "normal," but you know something's wrong. You question what you could be missing.

The answer? Mold toxin exposure. Mycotoxins, the toxic compounds produced by certain molds, can wreak havoc on your health in ways that are incredibly difficult to diagnose. The symptoms are vague and varied. They mimic other conditions. And standard medical tests don't look for them.

Mosaic’s MycoTOX Profile is a urine test that detects 11 different mycotoxins in your body. It reveals whether mold exposure is contributing to your symptoms and identifies which specific toxins are present. This matters because knowing what you're dealing with allows for targeted treatment instead of guessing.

For those concerned about mold toxin exposure, Geviti offers the MycoTOX Profile as part of their comprehensive health assessment options.

Understanding Mold Toxins and the MycoTOX Test

What are mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain species of mold. They're byproducts that molds release into their environment, and they can cause serious health problems even in small amounts.

Mycotoxin exposure is different from a mold allergy. With an allergy, your immune system overreacts to mold spores. With mycotoxin exposure, you're dealing with actual toxins that affect multiple body systems.

Mycotoxins enter your body through environmental exposure (water-damaged buildings, vehicles) or food contamination (grains, coffee, nuts, dried fruits). Water-damaged buildings are one of the most common sources of mold exposure. Mold can also be an invisible problem – it grows behind walls, under flooring, or in HVAC systems.

Symptoms of mycotoxin exposure

The challenge with mycotoxin exposure is that symptoms are often vague and mimic other conditions, making it frequently overlooked.

Common symptoms include respiratory issues (chronic coughing, shortness of breath, persistent sinus congestion), neurological problems (brain fog, memory issues, headaches, dizziness), chronic fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, immune dysfunction, mood changes (anxiety, depression), digestive problems, and skin issues. This wide range of potential symptoms is exactly what makes diagnosis so difficult without specialized testing.

What is the MycoTOX Profile?

The MycoTOX Profile is a urine-based test that measures 11 different mycotoxins from 40 species of mold. It uses advanced liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology, which is the gold standard for detecting these compounds at very low levels.

The test looks specifically for the most harmful classes of mycotoxins: Aflatoxins, Ochratoxins, Zearalenone, and Trichothecenes. These are the mycotoxins most commonly associated with serious health effects.

The Mycotoxins Measured

The MycoTOX Profile tests for 11 specific mycotoxins across four major classes. Understanding what these are helps you make sense of your results.

Aflatoxins

Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus species and are most commonly found in contaminated grains, nuts, and coffee. These mycotoxins are known carcinogens that particularly affect the liver and suppress immune function.

Ochratoxins

Ochratoxins are produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species. You can be exposed through water-damaged buildings or contaminated food (grains, coffee, wine, dried fruits). Ochratoxin primarily affects kidney function and has been linked to neurological symptoms. People exposed often report cognitive issues, fatigue, and immune problems.

Trichothecenes

Trichothecenes are produced by Fusarium, Stachybotrys (black mold), and other species. These mycotoxins are particularly common in water-damaged buildings and are often behind "sick building syndrome."

Trichothecenes affect protein synthesis at the cellular level and are especially harmful to rapidly dividing cells. Exposure is associated with severe neurological symptoms, immune suppression, and digestive issues.

Zearalenone

Zearalenone is produced by Fusarium species and is commonly found in contaminated grains. This mycotoxin acts as a hormonal disruptor, mimicking estrogen in the body and causing hormonal imbalances.

This can affect reproductive health in both men and women, contributing to menstrual irregularities, fertility issues, mood changes, and other hormone-related symptoms.

Why specific mycotoxins matter

Different mycotoxins affect your body in different ways. Knowing exactly which toxins you've been exposed to allows your healthcare provider to understand what's happening and why you're experiencing specific symptoms.

The specific mycotoxins detected also provide clues about your exposure source. Some are more common in building environments, while others are primarily food-related. This specificity is what makes the MycoTOX Profile so valuable.

Working With Your Results

Getting your MycoTOX results is important, but the real value comes from working with a healthcare provider who understands mycotoxin illness.

The importance of professional interpretation

MycoTOX results require experienced analysis. A qualified practitioner connects your results to your specific symptoms and exposure history. They understand which mycotoxins cause which symptoms, assess severity based on your levels, and know how to treat you when mycotoxins are detected.

When you review results with your practitioner, they'll explain which mycotoxins were detected and at what levels, discuss likely exposure sources, connect the specific mycotoxins to your symptoms, and create a personalized treatment protocol.

Common intervention approaches

Your healthcare provider may recommend approaches based on your specific findings:

• Environmental remediation is often the first priority. Without eliminating ongoing exposure, detoxification efforts won't be fully effective.
• Detoxification support helps your body eliminate accumulated mycotoxins through specific binders, nutrients that support liver and kidney function, and protocols tailored to your situation.
• Immune system support helps restore immune function that mycotoxins have suppressed.
• Gut health optimization is crucial because mycotoxins often damage the intestinal barrier. Healing the gut helps reduce inflammation and improves your body's ability to eliminate toxins.
• Nutritional support provides the specific nutrients your detoxification pathways need to function optimally.
• Avoidance strategies include dietary changes to reduce further exposure from contaminated foods.

Your practitioner determines which interventions are appropriate for your unique situation.

Retesting and monitoring progress

Your practitioner will recommend when to retest, typically 3 to 6 months after starting treatment. Retesting shows whether mycotoxin levels are decreasing, validates that your treatment is working, and allows your practitioner to adjust your protocol based on how your body responds.

Some mycotoxins clear quickly once exposure stops and detoxification begins. Others are more persistent, especially if exposure was severe or prolonged.

Combining with other tests

The MycoTOX Profile pairs well with the Organic Acids Test (OAT). While MycoTOX shows which mycotoxins are present, the OAT reveals the secondary metabolic effects of mold exposure, including impacts on mitochondrial function, neurotransmitter production, and detoxification capacity.

The MycoTOX profile is also one of the four tests included in Mosaic’s EnviroTOX suite of panels, which tests for mycotoxins, organic acids, heavy metals, and environmental toxins. If you’d like to get all 4 of these panels at once, the EnviroTOX test is an affordable and convenient option.

Takeaways

Mycotoxin exposure is one of the hidden health disruptors that conventional medicine often misses. The symptoms are too vague, too varied, too easily attributed to other causes. But for people dealing with chronic health issues that don't respond to typical treatments, mycotoxins may be a missing piece of the puzzle.

The MycoTOX Profile provides specific identification of 11 different mycotoxins across the four most toxigenic classes. It answers whether mold toxins are contributing to your symptoms and shows you exactly which toxins you're dealing with.

The real value comes from working with a practitioner who understands mycotoxin illness. They interpret your results within your complete health picture, create comprehensive protocols that address both eliminating exposure and supporting detoxification, and adjust treatment based on how you respond.

If you suspect mold exposure might be affecting your health, especially if you have unexplained symptoms that haven't responded to conventional treatment, mycotoxin testing might provide the answers you've been looking for.

Getting Started with MycoTOX Testing Through Geviti

Geviti makes mycotoxin testing accessible with comprehensive practitioner support. All Geviti members have access to the MycoTOX test. You can purchase the test anytime, with or without a recommendation from your Geviti care team. All diagnostics come with a professional review. The test is $329.99 for Lite members and $299.00 for Plus/Plus Rx members.

How to purchase the MycoTOX profile:

1. Open the Geviti app or web portal
2. Select “Other” from the bottom menu bar
3. Select “Order Labs and Diagnostics”
4. Select “Specialty Test Kits”
5. Choose the MycoTOX Profile
6. Select “Continue to Purchase” and checkout

What happens after I purchase the test?

After checking out, the at-home test kit will be mailed to you. Upon receiving the test kit, you will collect a urine sample and mail it back to Mosaic’s lab using the prepaid mailing materials included in your kit. Results will be available 5-10 business days after the lab receives your sample. Once your results are ready, you can view them in the Geviti app or web portal in the “documents” section. From there, your longevity specialist will create a custom review video explaining your results.

FAQs

How do I collect a sample for the MycoTOX test?

The test requires a first-morning urine sample collected before eating or drinking. You'll receive a kit with detailed instructions. Avoid certain foods for 48 hours before collection (apples, grapes, tea), and don't collect during menstruation. The process is simple and done at home.

What's the difference between mold allergy testing and mycotoxin testing?

Mold allergy tests measure your immune system's reaction to mold spores (IgE antibodies). The MycoTOX Profile measures actual mycotoxins in your body, showing exposure to toxic compounds. You can have mycotoxin exposure without being allergic to mold, and vice versa.

Can mycotoxins cause long-term health problems?

Yes, chronic exposure has been linked to neurological disorders, immune dysfunction, liver and kidney damage, hormonal imbalances, and increased cancer risk. Early detection and treatment can prevent long-term complications and help reverse many effects.

How long does it take to detox from mycotoxins?

This varies based on exposure severity, which mycotoxins you're dealing with, your detoxification capacity, and whether you've eliminated ongoing exposure. Some people notice improvement within weeks. Others need several months. Your practitioner will create a realistic timeline based on your situation.

Do I need to test my home for mold too?

If your results show elevated mycotoxins, environmental testing can help identify the source. Your practitioner can recommend professional mold inspection or home testing kits. Addressing the source is crucial for successful treatment, as even the best detoxification won't work if you're continuously being re-exposed.

Sources:

• https://mosaicdx.com/test/mycotox-profile/
• https://mosaicdx.com/resource/shipping-information-within-the-united-states/
• https://mosaicdx.com/resource/toxicant-testing-comparison-chart/