Mycotoxin Testing: What you need to know
Mycotoxin testing has become popular as awareness of mould and toxin exposure grows. But here's the truth: these tests aren't always telling you what you think. In this article, we dive into concepts that most functional medicine clinicians don't share.
Mycotoxin testing 101
It's tempting to believe a single test can give you the answer to your years of poor health. It sounds too good to be true, and it often is. Practitioners love to chant, "Test, don't guess." Don't get me wrong. There's a time and place for it, but it's also far too easy to get caught in an expensive, misleading frenzy and circus that functional medicine can install in you.
Needless to say, testing isn't cheap. It needs real context, nuance, and thoughtful application. I've spent years studying mould and mycotoxins: courses, books, and endless research, and I hope this article helps.
Partially conflicted double standards
I've seen how the system works on the outside and on the inside. Testing companies educate future practitioners, and ongoing education is funded by testing or supplement companies. A lot of it mirrors conventional medicine, just with a different approach. None of that means the information is bad. It just means you must think critically and consider it from all angles.
How to Test for Mycotoxins and Mold Exposure
Mycotoxin testing measures recent exposure, usually through the urine of what you metabolise.
They mostly reflect dietary sources (grains, nuts, coffee, spices) processed rapidly by the liver and kidneys.
Environmental exposure (inhalation) can also appear, but separating the two is challenging.
Even in this study, workers in a grain mill with known mycotoxin inhalation from processing, compared to a control group with consumption of mould-contaminated food, showed no significant difference. Ref
And remember: even the health-conscious often eat a high-burden mould diet — oats, peanut butter, coffee, grains.
Mycotoxin Urine Testing Problems
False assumptions: High levels don't always mean your environment is mouldy. As discussed above and shown in many studies, contaminated food is likely the most dominant player in high levels of testing.
In my practice, I've only ordered two mycotoxin tests in the last year (not much compared to a few years ago or compared to other testing like metabolomics testing).
Often, listening or asking detailed questions about the client's history (water damage, humidity, symptoms, geographical location) already gives you a suspected answer.
Misinterpretation: Without the full context of food and the degree of a low-mold diet for 1-2 weeks before testing, the test can easily mislead you. Instead, measuring your environment with an air spore test might be more productive. It's cheaper and more actionable.
A simple home air spore kit can help rule out active exposure, but it can't be used to travel back in time to a previous apartment or basement where there was an exposure. Find out more HERE.
I spoke with the company's CEO a few months ago and have been recommending it to my clients since then. They also highlighted the discrepancies that can occur with too much on mycotoxin metabolite testing and preferred antibody testing instead.
Mycotoxin Test Results
Mycotoxin urine testing can show food exposure, not just mold being excreted. These are the most common foods that contain mycotoxins.
Peanuts and corn are the worst offenders — they are often contaminated even before harvest.
Dried fruits and spices often carry hidden mould.
Coffee, cocoa, and wine have lower levels but contribute to daily accumulation.
Animal products have the lowest direct risk but can carry second-hand contamination via feed.
⚡ Aflatoxins = Group 1 carcinogens.
⚡ EU legal limit = max 2 ppb aflatoxin B1 in nuts.
⚡ Coffee, wine, chocolate = sneaky daily exposures.
Different countries with laws in place for import and export can affect the risk of exposure to dietary contamination.
Real-life Examples of Food Mycotoxins
500 ppb aflatoxin in peanuts = extremely dangerous (above 20 ppb rejected by many countries).
2 ppb ochratoxin A in daily coffee = adds up fast alongside other exposures.
Mycotoxins Clinical Insights
Before you panic, waste money, and follow a cookie-cutter detox: Think…
Diet Audit: Track your food carefully.
If you wish to test, do a 1-2 week strict low mold/mycotoxin diet.
Environmental Check: Use proper mould testing at home.
Try the Got Mold Spore test kit HERE.
Do your symptoms improve when you leave your house, or do they stay the same? Think about your last holiday—how did you feel?
Work with Real Experts: Practitioners who can think critically, not those who sell tests and protocols.
Example with my clients:
During my onboarding phase with clients, I request a video tour of their home and workplace.
I gather a real story before spending a penny on testing. (A discovery consult client on Friday asked me about functional testing and my stance; I always say it depends.
What is your budget?
What are we hoping to achieve with the results?
What do the results change if positive or negative?
What about your environment, current life situation, work, or seasons, and how does this affect the action plan after the result?
Your mental health benefits from having more data and information.
Learn More About Mold and Mycotoxins
Several books to start with:
Break the Mold by Dr Jill Crista - HERE
Toxic: Heal Your Body from Mold Toxicity, Lyme Disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and Chronic Environmental Illness by Neil Nathan, MD - HERE (a more challenging read than the top book)
Courses for practitioners and health coaches to learn more nuance.
Are you missing mold? Learn more HERE (use my discount code LV10 to give you 10% off the course)
Wrapping it up:
Testing is a tool. That is not the final answer. A good clinician uses evidence and testing, BUT it should be applied in a personal context. Mould might be part of your story—or it might not. Think about the following:
The primary source of mycotoxins reported in testing can be contaminated foods.
Avoid eating these foods for 1-2 weeks before testing.
Test your home to see if your current indoor exposure is the potential main threat.
Review your history of the building you lived or worked in - is there any scope or connection to feeling worse?
Do you feel better (with fewer symptoms) when away from home or work?
Work with a clinician who provides more insight and works in your best interest. I do that when I'm not writing these newsletters, the Oath Food newsletter, or buying, planting, or watering my plants.
Critical thinking, proper history-taking, environmental awareness, and patient and practical strategies will always beat blind testing and fear-mongering.
Always remember:
The best doctor is inside you. Sometimes, you need help discovering them, and that's precisely what I do with my clients - see a recent example above.
Book a discovery consult with me today HERE.