Mycotoxins are some of the most prevalent toxins in the environment. Mycotoxins are metabolites produced by fungi like mold, which can infest buildings, vehicles, and foodstuffs. A majority of mycotoxin exposures are through food ingestion or airborne exposure. In the European Union, 20% of all grains harvested have been found to be contaminated with mycotoxins. Unfortunately, mycotoxins are resistant to heat and many processing procedures.
Fungi are able to grow on almost any surface, especially if the environment is warm and wet. Inner wall materials of buildings, wallpaper, fiberglass insulation, ceiling tiles, and gypsum support are all good surfaces for fungi to colonize. These fungi then release mycotoxins into the environment causing symptoms of many different chronic diseases.
Which mycotoxins are tested?
MycoTOX screens for 11 different mycotoxins from 40 species of mold:
- OCHRATOXIN A (OTA)
- AFLATOXIN M1 (AFM1)
- STERIGMATOCYSTIN (STG)
- RORIDIN E
- VERRUCARIN A
- ENNIATIN B1
- ZEARALENONE (ZEA)
- GLIOTOXIN
- MYCOPHENOLIC ACID
- DIHYDROCITRINONE
- CHAETOGLOBOSIN
Symptoms & signs of mycotoxicity
- Liver disease
- Dizziness
- Dermatitis
- Confusion
- Fever
- Irritability
- Vomiting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anorexia
- Allergic rhinitis
- Jaundice
- Asthma
- Headaches
- Legionnaires ’ disease
- Nausea
- Fibromyalgia
- Sore throat
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Diarrhea
- Food allergies
- Fatigue
- Thyroid irregularities
- Blurred vision
- Balance problems
- Difficulty breathing
- Infertility
- Vertigo
- Seizures
Sample type
Urine: 10 mL of the first-morning urine before food or drink is suggested. Fasting for 12 hours may increase the excretion of mycotoxins from the adipose tissue. However, fasting is not recommended if running this test in combination with other urine tests.
Patients who need to urinate during the night should collect the sample that has been in the body the longest. If the time frame between going to bed and urinating at 2:30 AM is at least about 4-5 hours, the sample could be taken from the night urination. Do not mix together a middle of the night sample and morning sample.
Processing time
Sample report
