Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been covering mold toxicity on my Instagram feed, and I’ve received many questions about how to test for mold. This is a critical topic because I’ve seen numerous cases where clients were exposed to mold, yet their test results came back negative. Through trial and error, I’ve developed a specific approach to help you choose the right mold test for your situation.

➡️ Preparing for Your Mold Test

To ensure accuracy, proper preparation is essential. Here’s what you need to do 48 hours before testing:

• Avoid foods high in mold. Check my IG post here for a reference list.

• Be mindful of certain supplements. Some can interfere with test results by adding to your fungal burden; see my IG caption on this post for more details. 

• Avoid binders (biotoxin binder, activated charcoal, zeolite, etc.). These substances can pull mycotoxins from your system, potentially affecting your test results. 

➡️ When to Collect Your Sample

• Although studies on this are lacking, collecting your urine sample first thing in the morning is theoretically ideal, as it is the most concentrated at that time. The same would apply to your blood sample (if you test with myMycoLab).
   

➡️ Should You Provoke Before Testing?

• Only if your initial test was negative but you are certain you have mold exposure.

• Sauna Method: If you choose to provoke, do a 30-minute sauna session, then collect your sample 4-6 hours later. This method is not guaranteed but can be helpful. You can use any type of sauna. I personally use the portable one by Therasage. If you want to get the same one, you can save with my discount code PAOLA.

• Glutathione Method: If you have already used the sauna method before, you can try taking glutathione for 3-5 days before your test. Note that this method should only be used with the ELISA test (explained below). I like Liposomal Glutathione by Quicksilver; two pumps twice a day, on an empty stomach.

➡️ Choosing the Right Mold Test for You

There are three primary mold mycotoxins tests available, and selecting the right one depends on your individual health status. The right test will give you the most accurate results.

1. ELISA Urine Test

• Best for: Individuals whose drainage pathways are still functioning well. Assess your drainage pathways here. If one or more of them have been impacted (especially the kidneys, liver or gallbladder), refer to the other two tests. 

• Recommended Lab: Real Time Labs

2. LC-MS Urine Test

• Best for: Those with compromised kidney, gallbladder, and liver function, as these organs are heavily impacted by mold toxicity and play a key role in detoxification. Refer to your drainage assessment form to determine if the kidneys and liver need support. Know that if your gallbladder is not doing well, neither is your liver even if it doesn't show in your assessment.

• Recommended Lab: Mycotoxin Profile by MosaicDX (formerly Great Plains Lab)

• Premium members get a discounted price—reach out to [email protected] for details.
• Most used in my practice: This is the test I rely on most frequently.

3. Serum Antibody Test (blood sample)

• Best for: Individuals who cannot detox at all and are extremely hypersensitive to everything. They have done one or more mycotoxin tests in the past that have come back negative even with provocation. This test is not my preferred choice unless someone’s drainage & detox pathways are completely blocked.

• Recommended Lab: myMycoLab

Final Thoughts

Testing for mold can be tricky, and false negatives are common if testing is not done correctly. By following these guidelines, you can improve the accuracy of your results and determine the best course of action for detoxification.

Good news! My Mold Detox course is coming soon to my premium membership! This has been one of my most requested courses, and I’m excited to teach you everything you need to know about mold and how to detox effectively. If you are not an insider yet, Sign up here to get notified!