​

Hello everyone,

​

Mold toxin exposure can potentially lead to serious illness.

Not everyone is equally susceptible to mold in the environment.

There are three major considerations where mold or mold-toxin illness is concerned.

#1 Get Your Environment Assessed

Typically, you will be aware if you have been exposed to mold.

All buildings have mold if they have previously had a water issue (flooding, roof leaks, plumbing leaks, etc.) Even if the area is now dry, mold will be present, just waiting to grow again when conditions are favorable (unless you have had professional remediation).

You may see or smell mold. Speak with Dr. Sheehan or Laura if you feel this could be contributing to your symptoms.

Another sign telling if mold is in your house is if you feel better when you are away.

To get a preliminary read on the types and amount of mold in your house, we suggest starting slow and easy. Immunolytics and The Dust Test are two resources that you can test yourself at home at a relatively low cost.

From there, if mold is found, you should consider professional home mold testing. There are many options. We do not endorse a specific company. Aether Environmental is one example. You can do a search online for companies in your area.

The #1 rule of toxicology is that you must remove the patient from the toxin or the toxin from the patient, for recovery to occur.

​

#2 Lab Testing for Mold

There is no “lab test for mold”.

The tests that are available are testing for either a) inflammation (which could be from other causes); b) antibodies (which may or may not indicate current exposure or illness) and; c) presence of mycotoxins or reactions to mycotoxins that could have come from food sources and may or may not actually be causing a problem.

When ordering mold-related lab testing, your clinician is looking for some data they can correlate with other information about you—your history, symptoms, and other test results, in order to determine if fungal treatments or immune-supporting approaches are warranted.

There is no definitive lab test for mold. If you’ve had testing done or are considering testing, look at your test results simply as information—and most importantly, don’t panic.

​

#3 Therapy for Mold-related Illness

Medical and functional medicine approaches to mold illness rely heavily on pharmaceuticals. Like most medical treatments, they do often not take into account the body’s state of general health and the ability of the body to “take a beating” in the name of treating the mold.

Treatments are expensive, prolonged, and the results are widely variable.

Here are some resources you can read more about the medical approach. (Here, here, here.)

We have studied the medical approach extensively. Each approach has its adherents. We can neither recommend nor advise against such approaches. But we believe there is another way.

​

A Holistic Approach to Mold Illness

The holistic approach considers mold as a stressor to be investigated and handled only in the context of the overall health of the body, i.e. also considering:

1. The presence of food sensitivities

2. Digestive health

3. Blood sugar handling and metabolic health

4. Overall immune stress

5. The presence of inflammation

6. Iron balance

7. Anemia

8. Nutrient need

9. Thyroid and adrenal health

10. Liver, gallbladder and kidney function

11. Cardiovascular health

12. …and more!

Our approach to mold, Lyme, or any other chronic immune system stressor is to first test and balance the above factors. Of course we can test for mold, Lyme, etc., to have the information but we will always address these within the context of the overall health of the body.

We don’t do “one-size fits all”. We seek to understand and address your unique history and biochemical individuality.

We then provide a plan of action, consistent follow-up, and individualized attention to YOU.

The great strength of our approach is the muscle-testing technique that we use to communicate with your body. This approach helps us to prioritize what lab testing data is important to act upon. It’s asking what the body needs, instead of telling the body what it needs. This is an important distinction.

Laboratory testing gives information about the individual, but muscle testing guides us in what to do and sometimes even more importantly, what NOT to do.

It’s hard to be patient when you have severe symptoms and you’re in pain. It’s easy to have patience when you’re not suffering. Patience is a virtue and must be exercised either way. The body has a wisdom and will direct your healing effectively if you consult it properly.

You deserve to be educated about the various approaches that are out there. You should also be able to make the health care decision you feel meets your needs the best.

If you have questions about what a natural health improvement program could look like for you, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation.

​

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Keith Sheehan

​