- 1. Could mycotoxins play a role in many chronic diseases?
Mycotoxins are linked to many diseases, including autoimmune
diseases, autism, Alzheimer and many others.
This is why the World Health Organization calls mycotoxins The
Great Masquerader.
- 2. How do you know if you have been exposed to mycotoxins?
If you have been exposed to molds and mycotoxins and you feel
unwell and sick, most likely you have been exposed to mycotoxins.
Molds can make you feel sick as can mycotoxins. Molds are the
gun, mycotoxins are the bullet. Mycotoxins affect health more
severely.
- 3. What kind of testing is available for mycotoxin exposure?
The most accurate testing for mycotoxin exposure is by blood serum antibody testing for 12 different mycotoxins by far. Urine testing doesn’t test for as many mycotoxins nor is it precise, as urine testing is for mycotoxin metabolites, not mycotoxins as in the blood test.
- 4. Does the serum blood testing quantify the mycotoxins, or simply show antibodies to the mycotoxins?
Antibody testing is used to diagnose, treat, and follow patients for almost all autoimmune disorders, and other diseases such as hepatitis. It is not only very well established in clinical medicine but is the most accurate, specific and sensitive test available today.
- 5. Does everyone have antibodies present, even if they are not sick?
A small percentage of patients may have mycotoxin antibodies and feel normal. All the others will feel ill. Many more people have antibodies to viruses and don’t feel sick, but this is not so with toxins.
- 6. What is important to understand about antibodies to
mycotoxins?
Antibodies to mycotoxins means that your immune system is
reacting to these mycotoxins now. Positive results give the body
burden to mycotoxins. Also, mycotoxins can bind to human tissues
and trigger autoimmunity.
- 7. Why is serum antibody testing so much better?
Serum antibody testing is the most accurate testing method available using today’s latest technology. It is the most specific and accurate testing method available.
- 8. What does IgG and IgE antibodies to mycotoxins mean?
IgG antibodies to mycotoxins indicate that currently the immune
system is reacting to mycotoxins. It is not an indicator of past
exposure. IgG to a toxin such as mycotoxins, mercury, pesticides is
current exposure; IgG to viruses, bacteria, molds, and parasite is an
indication of past exposure. IgE is an indication that mycotoxins
are stimulating mast cells, causing an inflammatory reaction and
can result in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
- 9. What should patients do if they discover that they are currently being exposed to mycotoxins?
The most important thing a person can do if they discover they are being exposed to mycotoxins is to apply the first rule in toxicology: Get the patient away from the toxin or the toxin away from the patient.
- 10. What should patients do if they discover that they were once exposed to mycotoxins?
Patients exposed to mycotoxins should see a health care practitioner that is familiar with how to treat the toxic reaction to mycotoxins.
- 11. . Do you recommend the use of cholestyramine or binders for
treatment of mycotoxins?
No. Cholestyramine will bind many essential medications and
supplements and there is scant evidence it works. Binders of all
type have been studied and used in animals, not humans.
- 12. Where can practitioners order this test?
To order the test, go to mymycolab.com and after registering a test kit will be sent to you.
- 13. What is the cost of the test?
Our introductory cost is $380 for the panel of 24 test results: 12 different mycotoxins with IgG and IgE antibodies to each.
- 14. What countries in the test available in?
Mymycolab receives serum for testing from all over the world,
including Australia, India, all of the Europe and the UK, Middle
East, Africa, Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Latin America. It is not
available in New York State.
- 15. Where can I learn more about mycotoxins?
For a more in depth understanding of mycotoxins, we can send you
upon request via email a monograph explaining molds and
mycotoxins and all of it is backed by medical and scientific evidence
which is included. You can also go to the National Library of
Medicine on line: PubMed.gov and put in the question box:
Campbell AW. This will give you a list of peer reviewed published
studies by Dr. Campbell, many of which are on the subject of molds
and mycotoxins.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Campbell+AW
Do not rely on what is on many websites on the internet by socalled experts: these are only their opinions and not based on
medical and scientific evidence.
- 16. How do you do your testing so that it is accurate? How do you know it is accurate?
Each mycotoxin antigen is validated according to the highest standards as set by law. Each mycotoxin is validated individually rather than in sets as is done in other laboratories. To ensure accuracy of reference ranges, each mycotoxin is validated against its own standard. Our testing is conducted at our certified facility in Guadalajara, Mexico.
- 17. Are there any medications that can affect the test results?
Immunosuppressant and corticosteroid drugs can reduce antibody production and cause false negative results.
- 18. Does a patient need to be fasting before the blood collection? Any supplements a patient should stop?
The drugs that patients should be off of for 6 to 8 weeks prior to testing are immunosuppressive drugs, including all corticosteroids and chemotherapeutic drugs. Other medication and/or supplements do not affect antibody testing.
Serum antibody testing for mycotoxins does not need to be fasting.
- 19. What happens when I return the kit with my serum?
When we receive your serum we will send you an email. Your
results will then be ready within 14 business days. You will be
notified via email when the results are ready and they will be
available on the webpage portal under your registration.