Symptoms of Toxic Mold + The Best Mold Test to Get
Mold is the most overlooked root cause I see in my clinic.
Why? Because it hides. Mold doesn’t always smell, it doesn’t always show up on tests, and it definitely doesn’t affect everyone in your house the same way. You can be breathing the same air as your spouse or roommate and have totally different symptoms.
Let me ask you:
- Have you tried every protocol under the sun (candida, parasite, heavy metals, elimination diets...)?
- Are you STILL exhausted, foggy, anxious, or dealing with weird pain?
- Has every practitioner missed the real root cause?
If yes, you may be dealing with toxic mold exposure.
And you’re not alone. Up to 60% of homes in the U.S. have some kind of water damage. Mold thrives in moisture. And guess what? Mold doesn't just cause sniffles or sinus issues. It causes full-body dysfunction: from your gut to your brain to your hormones.
Ready to heal? Let’s go.
Common Symptoms of Mold Toxicity (That No One Links to Mold)
Forget what you’ve heard about mold just causing allergies.
Mold is a fungal toxin that can colonize your gut, brain, lungs, and even your cells. It's not just about breathing spores. It's about the mycotoxins mold releases that literally poison your system.
Symptoms include:
- Anxiety, depression, insomnia
- Brain fog, ADHD, poor memory
- Bloating, constipation, acid reflux
- Chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, mystery pain
- Food sensitivities (that keep increasing)
- Cold flashes, poor temperature regulation
- Hormone imbalances (PMS, infertility)
And that’s just the start. I actually recorded a whole episode listing 100 signs of toxic mold exposure. Go listen to Episode 220 if you want to count how many you have. (Spoiler: It’s probably more than you think.)
Why Mold Is the Root Cause Behind Candida, SIBO, and Food Sensitivities
Here’s the truth most practitioners miss:
Mold suppresses your immune system.
That means you could do candida cleanses, take oregano oil, try elimination diets — and it just keeps coming back. Because mold is still lurking underneath.
Toxic mold:
- Damages the gut lining
- Destroys motility (your gut’s natural movement)
- Lowers immune defense against parasites, bacteria, yeast
So if you keep getting SIBO or candida, despite doing "all the right things," mold might be why.
It’s also why your protocols keep failing. You’re killing the wrong thing first. We always test and address pathogens in a specific order inside the Better Belly Blueprint — and mold is step SIX.
How Mold Gets In Your Body (And Where It Hides)
Most people assume mold has to be visible or smell bad.
NOPE. It can be completely hidden and still ruin your health.
Main ways mold gets in:
- Air (your #1 source): Mold spores and mycotoxins enter through your nose and mouth.
- Sinuses + lungs: Mold colonizes these areas and drops toxins into your bloodstream.
- Swallowed mold: Spit, mucus, and even contaminated food carry mold into your gut.
- Moldy foods: Coffee, chocolate, grains, nuts, and dried fruits are common offenders.
Here’s the kicker: Mold doesn’t need to live in your gut to mess it up. The toxins alone suppress your gut immunity and motility — leading to the perfect storm for SIBO, candida, and more.
Why Most Mold Protocols Fail (And How to Do It Right)
Here’s what doesn’t work:
- Starting with mold killing supplements
- Living in mold while trying to detox it
- Skipping over pathogen order (like jumping straight to Lyme)
A proper mold healing protocol follows this flow:
- Test the body (OAT test first, then mycotoxin test later)
- Test the environment (dust test or ERMI, NOT petri dishes)
- Confirm you’re in a low-mold environment BEFORE starting binders or antifungals
- Support drainage and vitality first
- Kill other pathogens in the right order
- Then address mold with antifungals, binders, sinus sprays, and retesting
And yes — I give you the exact brands, dosages, and timelines inside the Better Belly Blueprint. So no more guessing.
Mold Testing 101: What to Use and When
If you're wondering how to test for mold:
Start with the Organic Acids Test (OAT) by Mosaic Labs.
This test shows:
- Mold colonization in the gut
- Candida and bacterial overgrowth
- Mitochondrial and neurotransmitter function
- Nutrient deficiencies and gut inflammation
Then, test your home environment with a dust test (like from Yes We Inspect).
DO NOT use air tests or petri dishes. They miss everything.
Only after living in a confirmed low-mold environment for at least 3 months do I recommend the Mycotoxin test to check what’s coming out in your urine. We retest every 3 months during the mold detox.
Can You Heal From Mold Toxicity? Yes — But It Requires Strategy
I've helped hundreds of clients recover from mold.
Here’s what works:
- Strategic, step-by-step protocols (no guesswork)
- Testing the right things, in the right order
- Addressing your home, not just your body
- Emotional support (because mold is mentally exhausting)
Inside the Better Belly Blueprint, we walk you through every single step:
- How to find mold in your home
- How to choose a real inspector
- What to do if you rent
- How to work with remediation pros
- How to move safely (without bringing mold with you)
You also get lifetime access to the course, community, and group coaching.
And if you want me to personally walk you through the entire healing process? Join as a Better Belly VIP. I work 1:1 with just a few clients each quarter. Learn more here.
Quick Recap: How to Heal From Mold Illness
- Mold could be the missing root cause behind your unresolved symptoms.
- It mimics candida, SIBO, hormone imbalance, and more.
- Don’t start killing mold until you confirm a low-mold environment.
- Always test your body (OAT), your home (dust test), and retest over time.
- Healing is possible with the right support and a proven plan.
FAQs About Mold Illness and Healing
Q: Can you have mold illness without visible mold in your home? Yes! Mold can hide in walls, HVAC systems, or behind tile. It doesn’t have to be visible to be toxic.
Q: How do I know if my symptoms are from mold? Start with an Organic Acids Test (OAT) to check for internal colonization. Episode 220 of the podcast also lists 100 signs.
Q: Is food mold enough to make me sick? Usually no — but it can speed up food sensitivities and worsen symptoms if you're already exposed to moldy air.
Q: What if my family isn’t sick but I am? Mold affects everyone differently. Genetics, hormones, and immune function all play a role. Women are often more affected.
Q: Can you heal from mold without moving? Sometimes. If the mold is localized and properly remediated. Testing is essential to decide.
Written by Allison Jordan, FDN-P — gut health specialist and founder of Better Belly Therapies. Learn more about healing your root causes at betterbellytherapies.com.
EPISODES MENTIONED:
- Ep. 220// 100 Signs of Toxic Mold Exposure: How Many Do You Have?
- Ep. 222// 5 Signs of Hidden Mold, with Brian Karr (YesWeInspect)
- Ep. 223// The 3-Step Mold Treatment Plan
- Ep. 224// Mold & Emotions: 3 Tips for How to Balance Mold, Emotions, and Healing
- Ep. 225// My Tinnitus Journey: Mold Caused It, How I’ve Been Treating It
- Ep. 226// The Mold-Lyme Connection: How to Treat Mold Toxicity and Lyme Disease Together
- Resiliency Radio Podcast: Winning Legal Cases for Clients Harmed by Toxic Mold (Dr. Jill Carnahan ft. Kristina Baehr)
HEAL FROM MOLD - NOW! 👇
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