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Posted 4/20/2019 4:52 PM (GMT -5)
I'm thinking the one thing I haven't considered yet is mold and I seem to have symptoms of it. I'm wondering which is the best test for it? My friend said she did one from Real Time labs that was $700, a urine test...that's a little out of pocket at the minute. I've heard there's a LabCorp test for it, which I took previously I believe and showed some mold, and then the Great Plains mycotoxin test. And then the c4a inflammation test.

As far as treatment, I'm not sure where the mold came from but renovations are decidedly not in our future, so would an air filter work? I know step one is to remove yourself from the environment but what if that's not possible? Someone said inhaling ammonia vapor works...which sounds...sketchy. And to detox it - would zeolite work? I've heard cholestyramine is typically used but that seems to make my constipation worse. I don't know if zeolite would do this as well. Though I've read about zeolite's histamine binding properties which is very promising for my MCAS issues.
Posted 4/20/2019 7:41 PM (GMT -5)
I’m not sure if zeolite binds mold toxins.

Do NOT inhale ammonia vapors. You could kill yourself.

Mold is a complex and expensive variable to tackle. From both a feasibility and a health standpoint, how much and how toxic a mold you have in your home or workplace matter. If you are in a very toxic place, then I would say run for your life and take nothing with you.

If you are in a light to moderately moldy place and you can effectively stop the moisture problems and clean the environment, then you might be able to get away with rigorous cleaning, using a dehumidifier if needed, and getting an effective air purifier.

To know what you are being exposed to, I would do the HERTSMI-2 at a minimum or the ERMI from Mycometrics lab. The HERTSMI-2 tests the top 5 toxic and problematic molds. If you have any of those, you need to get them removed by a mold remediator and correct the leaks or cause of moisture intrusion.
Posted 4/20/2019 9:51 PM (GMT -5)
zeolite mostly doesn't work but you could try it and see.

Different binders work for different molds. Chlorophyl works for the aspergillus molds (ie black mold) but may not work for other types of mold.

the tests are very controversial, some say the work some say they don't. Search your house for any damp areas thats what you are looking for. If you find one then look in that area for mold. You may be able to do some remediation yourself if its not a major issue.
Posted 4/20/2019 10:09 PM (GMT -5)
Really? Someone else on here said Zeobind was helping them a lot. I don't know if it was being used for mold though. Chlorophyll? Like chlorella? Or are they different? I have aspergillus niger, or I did last I checked. I was taking chlorella for a while but didn't notice anything so I quit. Alright I'll just ask my doctor then. He suggested a couple different ones but I think he said they were like $250 each. Not sure which ones. I'd rather just treat as if.
Posted 4/20/2019 10:30 PM (GMT -5)
No. Chlorophyll supplement, NOT chlorella. Big difference. One binds mold the other doesn't. Most Docs don't know about Chlorophyll binding mold.
Posted 4/21/2019 7:54 AM (GMT -5)

jb1994 said...
Really? Someone else on here said Zeobind was helping them a lot. I don't know if it was being used for mold though. Chlorophyll? Like chlorella? Or are they different? I have aspergillus niger, or I did last I checked. I was taking chlorella for a while but didn't notice anything so I quit. Alright I'll just ask my doctor then. He suggested a couple different ones but I think he said they were like $250 each. Not sure which ones. I'd rather just treat as if.

Zeobind is helping me, but I don’t know exactly what it’s binding. CIRS doctors prescribe Cholestyramine (best) or Welchol (less effective) for binding mold and other biotoxins. When I couldn’t tolerate cholestyramine, the doctor told me to take activated charcoal and modified citrus pectin.

Zeobind and chlorophyllin seem to make me feel better and more stable, whereas I did not notice feeling better with the other binders. Doesn’t mean they don’t work. My mycotoxin test results confirmed something I was doing was helping - either the binders or glutathione/NAC or both.
Posted 4/21/2019 9:49 AM (GMT -5)
The different mycotoxins and what binds them according to Dr. Nathan. I added the chlorophyl in there as literally none of these experts seem to have picked up on this.

Ochratoxins: cholestyramine, Welchol, and activated charcoal, chlorophyl

Aflotoxins: charcoal and bentonite clay, chlorophyl

Trichothecenes: charcoal and probably chlorella and clay

Gliotoxins: clay, NAC, s. boulardii.
Posted 4/21/2019 1:10 PM (GMT -5)
The lab tests (covered by insurance) for mold are listed here: https://www.survivingmold.com/diagnosis/lab-tests

The same website offers an online version test called the VCS test that can indicate biotoxin exposure.

Some people do try to treat for mold without knowing for sure that it's an issue, mainly starting with binders and removing themselves from their source of exposure. If possible, it can be helpful to spend a few weeks away from your home (or other potential exposure source) in a place with low mold risk, to see if you feel better. A heavy duty HEPA air purifier and dehumidifier might help somewhat for the short term.

Good luck! I know so many of us suffer with mold issues....
Posted 4/21/2019 9:14 PM (GMT -5)
Awesome! Insurance covered tests are the best haha. I'll take a look at those then. I did the VCS and posted a thread about it, it looks like I just barely passed but some people said it's not conclusive.
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