Mold/CIRS Results

Hey everyone! Just wanted to give you a quick update on my mold studies and then get feedback on what you think.

MSH - LOW
VIP - LOW
Osmolality - HIGH(ish) 900 range is 300-900
VEGF - LOW
C3A - Normal
C4A - Normal
MMP-9 - Normal
TGF Beta 1 - HIGH
HLA study showed genetically I cannot detox mold.

After my doctor reviewed all of this with me, she said that this all means I am not currently dealing with a mold problem. She said it all points towards inflammation and told me this could be from Lyme (this is coming from a primary care doc, not LLMD) or Leaky Gut.

She put me on the following protocol:
Alinia 1 pill 2x a day for 14 days
Biocidin LSF 1 pump 3x a day
Mitocore - 2 pills a day
Vitamin D - 5000mg 2x a day
Electrolyte powder - 2x a day
Megasporbiotic 1 a day

What does everyone think?
Current sx:
Dizziness
Headaches
Fatigue
Weakness
POTS
Blurry vision

Alxander said...
I don't want to highjack your thread, but as someone that want to test for mold too, which laboratory did you go with? I was told to go with Great Plain.

I did Great Plains. Can't really say what test is best.

Can't say I'm completely confident with results. I think the urine tests may be useful to some degree. I did have higher levels of two molds, but in my case, I'm not sure that the mold is causing any of my symptoms because of how my symptoms respond positively to Lyme treatment. I am taking binders regularly to detox and also to combat any mold problems.

Down the road, I've thought that I might do another Great Plains just to see the results, if they are improved or worse.

I did have some mold exposure with my work, and I had some mold in my house that has since been cleaned up.

NicHostetler, did the "low" determinations come from Shoemaker's reference ranges for people with CIRS, or the reference ranges from the lab that did the testing? These sometimes differ considerably. https://www.survivingmold.com/diagnosis/lab-tests

Some doctors are moving away from that panel of tests since levels can be impacted by multiple things, not just mold.

With the antimicrobial meds and supplements you started taking, a binder (at a different time of day) would be a good idea regardless. Since a binder would be a primary treatment for mold illness (in addition to stopping the exposure), you might want to add bentonite clay, activated charcoal, zeolite, etc.

If you have had a urine test done (Real Time or Great Plains) and know which specific molds are in your system, then you could take the binder that works best with those mycotoxins, since different binders work better with different mycotoxins. All binders should do a nice job helping to clear other toxins from your system that come with Lyme treatment, as long as you make sure to prevent constipation.

It's worth noting that people can develop mold sensitivity at any time, and that Lyme seems to predispose us. Even people without Lyme who don't seem to have symptoms could be suffering with mycotoxin-related illness, like autoimmune illnesses, anxiety, poor sleep, headaches, etc - things people might not connect to mold. Many are exposed to mold without realizing it, so even if mold isn't a major force in your illness, it might be a good idea to check your living space for possible issues.

A truly great resource for teasing out what's causing what and what to tackle first is Neil Nathan's book Toxic.

Good luck!

WalkingbyFaith said...
Nic,

I have suspected mold was a factor in your situation for a long time, because in spite of treatment for infections you continued to have a set of symptoms, and that set of symptoms can be caused by mold exposure.

Your genetic susceptibility is an important factor, IMO. Also, from my understanding (and I could be wrong), normal, healthy people in the same environment would not have positive urine test results for mycotoxins. You have or have had Lyme/co. Those 3 factors (especially the first 2) should be sufficient reason to locate the mold exposure and do something about it (remediate or leave).

Taking binders isn’t a “fix” for dealing with ongoing exposure to mold or other toxins found in water damaged buildings. Exposure has to be addressed.

That’s my opinion.

I guess I just don't understand why healthy people wouldn't have positive levels of mold in their urine if they are continually inhaling it in the same environment as a sick person. Am I thinking wrong?