If you’re dealing with vague symptoms that no one can explain — exhaustion, brain fog, allergies, strange rashes, breathing issues, or even mood swings — and you’ve tried everything without answers… it might be time to look at your environment.

For many of the patients I see, mould isn’t just a nuisance in the bathroom — it’s a hidden driver of chronic illness.

We’re not just talking about visible mould either. You can have a home that looks clean and smells fine, but still be breathing in toxins from water-damaged building materials, hidden leaks, or airborne dust particles that carry mould fragments and by-products.

When buildings get damp — whether it’s a slow leak behind a wall, flood damage, or just years of poor ventilation — a complex microbial soup starts to develop. It’s not just mould. It’s also bacteria, yeasts, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), actinomycetes, endotoxins, and the mycotoxins that moulds release as part of their natural defence.

For some people, exposure to this toxic mix can trigger serious health issues — especially if they have a compromised detox system, underlying inflammation, or a genetic predisposition that makes them more reactive.

Not everyone reacts the same way. In fact, in the same household, one person might be chronically ill while others seem unaffected.

Common symptoms I see in mould-affected patients include:

• Brain fog and memory problems

• Chronic fatigue or feeling “wired but tired”

• Sinus issues, cough, shortness of breath

• Skin rashes or sensitivity

• Digestive problems

• Headaches or migraines

• Unexplained anxiety, depression, or mood changes

• Light sensitivity, noise sensitivity

• Muscle pain, joint stiffness

• Hormonal imbalances

• Chemical sensitivities

• Feeling worse in certain buildings or after travel

If this list feels oddly familiar, you’re not alone — and you’re not imagining things.

If you think mould might be part of the picture, there are several tests that can help us work that out. There’s no single test that gives a yes-or-no answer — instead, we use a combination of tools that, together, can build a strong case for (or against) mould-related illness.

Below, I’ve listed these tests in order — starting from the simplest and most affordable, through to more advanced options. In many cases, we don’t need to run every test. If the early clues line up, we often get a clear enough picture without needing to dive into the more complex (and expensive) ones.

Start by reflecting on where you’ve lived, worked, and spent significant time — and how your symptoms relate to those environments.

🔍 Exposure-Related Questions

• Have you ever lived in a home or apartment that had visible mould, musty smells, or a history of water damage?

• Have you ever had a leak in your roof, ceiling, bathroom, kitchen, or under the house?

• Have you experienced flooding, burst pipes, or water intrusion in any home or building you’ve spent time in?

• Have you noticed condensation on windows, walls, or ceilings — especially in winter?

• Were there signs of damp carpet, peeling paint, swollen skirting boards, or stained ceilings?

• Have you worked in an old office, school, hospital, or industrial building with poor ventilation or signs of water damage?

• Have you spent long hours in basements, caravans, or boats?

• Have you lived in a rental property that had patch repairs, repainted areas, or cover-ups with no explanation?

🛑 Symptom Timing & Location

• Did your symptoms begin or worsen after moving house, changing jobs, or travelling?

• Do you feel noticeably better when away from home (e.g. on holiday or staying elsewhere)?

• Do you notice symptoms return quickly after spending time in a particular building?

• Have other people in the same household or workplace also experienced unexplained health issues?

🧬 Family & Personal Sensitivity

• Are you generally more sensitive to chemicals, smells, or cleaning products than other people?

• Do perfumes, air fresheners, or scented candles bother you?

• Have you ever been diagnosed with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, IBS, or anxiety without a clear cause?

• • Has anyone in your family been unusually sensitive to mould or had similar chronic symptoms?

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  🛠 Building Red Flags

  • Is your current or past home built on a concrete slab with poor drainage?

  • Has it been insulated without adequate ventilation?

  • Do you use a dehumidifier, or do rooms feel “damp” in winter?

  • Have tradespeople ever found leaks, damp, or rot while doing renovations?

Dr. Jill Crista, a recognized authority on mould-related illnesses, created a detailed questionnaire based on her extensive clinical experience treating patients affected by mould exposure. This tool covers common symptoms and medical history associated with mould toxicity. Although many of these symptoms may also occur with other health issues, Dr. Crista has observed that the presence of multiple symptoms together often strongly suggests mould illness.

Currently, Dr. Crista and Dr. Neil Nathan are working to validate this questionnaire to confirm its reliability as a diagnostic indicator for mould-related health problems. 

However, right now it gives you a great start to figure out if you may be affected by mould toxicity.  

This is a straightforward online screening tool used to assess potential biotoxin-related illness, which can include mould exposure as well as other sources like Lyme disease or certain insect and spider bites. The test evaluates your ability to detect subtle differences in contrast between light, grey, and dark patterns—a function that can be impaired in individuals affected by biotoxins. Originally developed by the military to assess soldiers’ exposure to biotoxins, it remains a highly sensitive tool, with studies showing that fewer than 10% of those affected will pass.

To ensure the most accurate results, be sure to:

• Wear your regular corrective lenses or glasses

• Use adequate room lighting

• Ensure your visual acuity is at least 20/50

• Follow all instructions on the testing site carefully

You can take the test at either vcstest.com, where the first attempt is free (subsequent tests cost $25 USD), or survivingmold.com, where tests are $15 USD each, with bundle discounts available.

For a more comprehensive assessment, you may choose to complete the test on both platforms and consider the less favorable score as the more reliable indicator.

Some standard blood tests—often ordered by general practitioners—can offer helpful insights when investigating potential mould-related illness. These may include:

• Full blood count (CBC)

• Liver function tests

• Kidney markers such as creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)

• Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)

• Immunoglobulin subclasses

• Iron studies (including serum iron, transferrin, ferritin, and saturation)

• Vitamin D levels (25-hydroxyvitamin D)

• Basic thyroid function tests (TSH, free T4)

• Allergy-related mould-specific immunoglobulin testing

While none of these tests can definitively diagnose mould illness on their own, they can highlight imbalances or dysfunctions that may support a broader picture of biotoxin-related health issues. Interpretation often requires the input of a clinician experienced in mould illness.

COST: Some of these investigations may be covered through your general practitioner, while others might need to be privately funded. Individual test costs typically range from $10 to $60 per marker.

Urine testing is one of the easiest and most practical ways to check for mycotoxins—those toxic byproducts of mould exposure that can quietly wreak havoc on your health.

Two of the most commonly used tests are the MycoTOX Profile by Mosaic Diagnostics and the Mycotoxins test by Vibrant Wellness. Both are available in New Zealand through local functional testing providers.

Mosaic Diagnostics – MycoTOX Profile

This test looks for 11 different mycotoxins produced by over 40 species of mould. It’s simple to do at home with a urine sample, and the kit is available through FxMed in Hastings. Samples are shipped back to the U.S. for analysis.

• Price (as of July 2025 via FxMed): approx NZD $560

• Turnaround time: ~2–3 weeks

• Strengths: Broad screening panel, well-established in clinical use

Vibrant Wellness – Mycotoxins Panel

Another option is Vibrant’s test, which offers a detailed breakdown of mould toxins and integrates well with their other panels (e.g. environmental toxins, gut health, food sensitivities).

• Price (as of July 2025 via Vibrant America): approx USD $399 (shipping additional; NZ access may vary depending on your practitioner)

• Turnaround time: ~2 weeks

• Strengths: Digital reporting, high sensitivity, good for layered toxin exposure

While these tests won’t tell you whether the exposure is current or historical, they do give you valuable insight into what your body is still holding onto. That matters—because knowing the specific types of mycotoxins can help me (or your clinician) design a detox protocol that’s far more targeted and effective.

If you’re wondering which test is best for your situation, I often help people weigh up the options based on symptoms, history, and budget. Some even choose to run both tests and use the more concerning result to guide their healing plan.

Finding out you have mycotoxins is actually a positive first step—it gives us the clarity we need to finally start addressing the root cause of your symptoms.