How can Functional Lab testing help with mold diagnosis and treatment?

What is Functional Medicine?

According to the Institute of Functional Medicine, Functional Medicine is a systems biology-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. Each symptom or differential diagnosis may be one of many contributing to an individual's illness. Diagnosis can be the result of more than one cause.

What function does Funtional Medicine play for a person who is exposed to toxic mold?

It means that Functional Medicine is going to offer you a more detailed look at confirming or denying that fungus may or may not be an issue...but it more importantly will bring out the possible downstream effects that mold or other pathogens are having on the body as a result of a mold exposure OR infection or exposure to something else. 

Functional Medicine is "NOT" mold specific:  This means that in Functional Medicine there is not a specific lab that can 100% identify or diagnose toxic mold exposure...however, you have to keep in mind that (where we are in history right now - 2021), we still do not have a reliable lab testing process that could offer a "black or white" answer to "Have I been exposed to toxic mold, and is it causing all of my symptoms".  I know how vague this sounds, however...hiring a knowledgeable team of professionals CAN help them gather all of the baseline data they need to make a proper diagnosis such as:

• Conventional Medical Labs
• Functional Medicine Labs
• Patient history of possible environmental exposures
• Patient history of health issues
• Past labs
• Environmental lab tests

Keep in mind that only by collecting ALL of the data above can a professional make an informed diagnosis.  Also, don't be surprised that you may have several diagnosis based on the findings above.  When you combine traditional and conventional methods you will reveal the most data possible to help your overall health and possibility of healing.

What are some of the most common Functional Lab Tests that can be beneficial for those who are exposed to mold and why?

Gi Map - One of the first Functional Tests I ever ran was a Gi-map test.  In Functional Medicine most of the findings revolve around the condition of the gut. 

When you are exposed to toxic mold, one of the first processes in the body to become affected is the gut.  Mold spores are inhaled through the mouth and nose and mycotoxin enters the digestive system via the mouth and esophagus.  Once these dangerous spores and toxins enter the biome, other pathogens begin to "retreat" OR "fight back and overgrow".  When the Gi-map test is done it can reveal some of this imbalance which can be called "Dysbiosis".

What is the Gi-map test?

Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP) is an innovative clinical tool that measures gastrointestinal microbiota DNA from a single stool sample with state of the art, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology to detect parasites, bacteria, fungi and more!

You can read more about the Gi-Map test here: https://www.diagnosticsolutionslab.com/tests/gi-map

How do I order the Gi-Map test?

You'll need a qualified Functional MD, Chiropractor or Naturopath Physician to order a Gi-Map test.  You can also work with Health Coaches and FDN practitioners who are contracted with qualified doctors that CAN run the test for them.  Just make sure that whoever is running the tests can ALSO INTERPRET & TREAT!  (This is so important).  Wasting throusands of dollars on Functional Testing is useless unless you have someone that can interpret or treat it. 

If you are a "health geek" yourself, like me...you can try to find other practitioners who are offering opportunities to learn how to interpret the tests yourself.  Just make sure that you ask someone more knowledegable than yourself first before you try to treat.

OAT Test (Organic Acids Test)