Mycotoxin - Immune Suppression - Thyroid

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http://www.germology.com/wizard_page_3.htm

Have there been any study results linking Hypothyroidism to mold

contamination? My son is 18 and has just been diagnosed. We have been living

in a mold contaminated home since March. He also has developed wheezing.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce

enough thyroid hormone (thyroxine and triiodothyronine). Causes include

thyroid or pituitary disease, congenital defects, surgical removal of the

thyroid gland, or irradiation. Inflammatory conditions, including those

resulting from fungal infections or hypersensitivities, may also cause

hypothyroidism. For example, Aspergillus flavus, a common indoor mold, has

been linked to thyroiditis and possible hypothyroidism [s Hopkins Med J

1979 Mar;144(3):90-3]. Thyroid disease and hypothyroidism may also result

from Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidosis (CMC), a rare skin disorder caused by

the yeast Candida [br J Dermatol 1997 Jan;136(1):24-9].

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I live in the Tropics and our house is full of mold. Even when not seen you

can smell it. I have fibromyalgia and it seems worse here. Does it make fms

worse?

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a collection of symptoms with no known physiological

cause. The most common symptoms involve the central nervous system and

include chronic pain, stiffness, headaches, and memory loss. Some studies

have suggested a link between FMS and metal allergies (e.g. mercury, nickel)

or excitotoxins, which are neurotoxic compounds that act as excitatory

neurotransmitters (e.g. MSG or Aspartate). However, we know of no published

accounts establishing causality between FMS and mold exposure.

Interestingly, many of the symptoms of mycotoxicosis (poisoning by

mycotoxins) are similar to FMS (i.e. fatigue, body aches, headaches,

irritability, fever, memory loss, and respiratory complaints). Also, the

effects of volatile organic compounds, which are responsible for the mold

odors, may also mimic some of the symptoms of FMS. Due to the similarity in

symptoms, one could assume that mold exposure may exacerbate the symptoms of

Fibromyalgia.

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On one of your pages, you reference chronic mycotoxin problems, specifically

problems with the reproductive system. What problems do you know for certain

are caused by mycotoxins? Have you seen any studies on fibroids? I have seen

what I would believe to be a large number of women who have had problematic

fibroids, with many having to resort to hysterectomy.

Our present knowledge regarding mycotoxins and reproductive systems is

largely the result of animal studies. Such research indicates that

mycotoxins cause a wide variety of effects including abnormal hormone

levels, reduced oocyte development, reduced fertilization rate, reduced

sperm motility, reduced ovary and uterine size, reduced litter size, and

various types of cancers in reproductive organs. There are a number of

epidemiological studies of humans that also show a causal link between

mycotoxins and reproduction effects. For example, a recent study indicates a

possible link in late-term abortions and endometrial cancer.

Fibroids are tumors comprised of smooth muscle. I am unaware of any

published evidence to suggest fibroid development in response to mycotoxins

or fungal infection. You may access published abstracts on issues such as

mycotoxins at www.Pubmed.gov.

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What can the worse case of mold exposure do to a person's health? I have a

friend who is allergic to all 27 molds and suffered from working in a school

with mold and is now taking approx. 17 different prescriptions and has 4 or

5 specialists. It has affected her whole body.

There are a number of chronic (long-term) effects that may occur in response

to continued exposure to molds. All of these effects are dependent on: 1)

the type of mold, 2) the amount of exposure, and 3) the sensitivity of the

exposed individual. Many of the adverse effects associated with mold

exposure are actually caused by mycotoxins, which are produced on the

surface of spores. If mycotoxins were indeed formed by the species in

question, the " worse case " could involve effects such as immune suppression

or altered immunity, respiratory disorders, tissue/organ damage, cancer, or

neurological/behavioral effects. Even if the molds are not toxin-producers,

an exposed individual could still experience long-term immune effects due to

the antigens presented by the mold spore. Type I and Type III allergies are

common ailments in individuals with chronic exposure. Many of the antigens

that trigger hypersensitivities are found in most molds; so when allergies

do occur, reactions to multiple mold species is actually the norm, not the

exception.

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