How to use this list
Mold illness presents differently in everyone. If you have 5 or more of these symptoms — especially across multiple body systems — mycotoxin testing should be on the differential, particularly if there's any water-damage history in your current or recent buildings.
Neurological / cognitive
- Brain fog, "thinking through molasses"
- Word-finding difficulty, names slipping
- Executive dysfunction — starting tasks feels disproportionately hard
- Anxiety with no clear trigger
- Depression that doesn't respond to standard care
- Headaches, often pressurised
- Tremor, twitching, or restless legs
- Light or sound sensitivity
Hormonal / endocrine
- Low testosterone unresponsive to TRT (see low-T and mold)
- Cycle irregularity, sudden cycle loss
- Thyroid symptoms with "normal" labs
- Sudden weight changes (gain or loss) unexplained
- Fertility loss without other explanation
Immune / mast cell
- Flushing, hives, food sensitivities multiplying (MCAS link)
- Recurrent sinus infections
- Recurrent UTIs or other infections
- New environmental allergies in adulthood
Energy / mitochondrial
- Crashing fatigue, especially morning or post-meal
- Exercise intolerance — you used to train, now you can't
- POTS-like symptoms — dizziness on standing
- Sleep disturbance, especially 2–4am wake-ups
Environmental signals
- Symptoms improve when away from home for 2+ weeks
- Symptoms worsen at work or after coming home
- Family members or pets also unwell in the same building
Next steps
- 5–10 symptoms: mycotoxin testing is reasonable. Start with VCS (free screening) + decide on urine mycotoxin panel.
- 10+ symptoms with environmental signals: testing is strongly indicated. Begin environmental testing in parallel.
- Any symptoms + known water damage: don't wait. Test now.
For the full clinical picture, see our mold illness pillar. For how to test the building, see ERMI vs HERTSMI-2.
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