MycoTox Profile

Mycotoxin exposure can happen easily in the home. Mold can grow as a result of water damage or condensation build-up in many places in the home. It can also grow on foods stored at home and foods your purchase may already be contaminated with mold when you buy them.

Common sources of mold in the home or work place may include: Window Sills and Doors, Plumbing, Bathrooms, Closets, Fireplaces/Chimneys, Laundry Rooms, Basements, Air Conditioning Systems, Roofs, Refrigerators. and Food.

The 11 mycotoxins tested in this profile include:

• Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1)- mycotoxin produced by the mold species Aspergillus.
• Ochratoxin A (OTA)- mycotoxin. This chemical is produced by molds in the Aspergillus and Penicillium families.
• Sterigmatocystin (STG)- produced from several species of mold such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Bipolaris.
• Roridin E- a macrocyclic trichothecene produced by the mold species Fusarium, Myrothecium, and Stachybotrys (i.e. black mold).
• Verrucarin A (VR)- a macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxin produced from Stachybotrys, Fusarium, and Myrothecium.
• Enniatin B- a fungal metabolite categorized as cyclohexa depsipeptides toxin produced by the fungus Fusarium.
• Zearalenone (ZEA)-a mycotoxin that is produced by the mold species Fusarium, and has been shown to be hepatotoxic,  haematotoxic, immunotoxic, and genotoxic.
• Gliotoxin- produced by the mold genus Aspergillus.
• Mycophenolic Acid (MPA)- produced by the Penicillium fungus.
• Dihydrocitrinone- a metabolite of Citrinin (CTN), which is a mycotoxin that is produced by the mold species Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Monascus
• Chaetoglobosin A (CHA)- produced by the mold Chaetomium globosum (CG).

Some of the common molds include:

• Aspergillus- the most prevalent mold group in the environment. The two most common Aspergillus mycotoxins are aflatoxin and ochratoxin. These mycotoxins can be found in crops such as peanuts, corn, rice, sunglower seeds, wheat. They can also be found in livestock or in egss and milk produced by livestock fed contaminated grains. 
• Penicillum- with over 200 species of Penicillium that have been discovered, this fungi may contaminate not justdifferent food items, but it can also be found in wallpaper, carpet, furniture and fiberglass insulation.
• Stachybotrys- this mold is a greenish-black mold. It can grow on materials such as gypsum board, paper, fiberboard, and ceiling tiles. Two of the more common myctoxins produced by Stachybotrys are rioridin E and verrucarin.
• Fusarium- this fungi grows worldwide and may groa on different types of grains such as corn and wheat. The major mycotoxins produced by Fusarium are zearalenone (ZEN) and fumonisin.

This test kit will be mailed to you via USPS. You will receive a urine collection cup as well as other materials in the test kit. Please review all instructions prior to performing this test. Kits should be shipped back to the laboratory in the enclosed packaging. Results take 2 weeks upon receipt of the specimen by the laboratory. Tested 10 mL of the first morning urine before food or drink is suggested. Fasting for 12 hours may increase the excretion of mycotoxins from the adipose tissue. However, fasting is not required. Avoid binders such as charcoal or bentonite clay for 72 hours. 

* If you are taking mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept/Myfortic) you will not get an accurate value for the marker Mycophenolic Acid (all other markers will report adequately). If you are taking this drug, please check the box on the Test Requisition Form by the test selection for MycoTOX Profile to inform laboratory personnel and help prevent sample errors.

TEST KIT REFUND POLICY- Kits can be cancelled anytime prior to sending the specimen to the lab.  There is a $25 fee to cover the kit costs and shipping. So a full refund is minus $25.

TEST COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS PDF

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Jun 26, 2020