Mold, Mycotoxins, and CIRS with Dr. Jill Carnahan -

I had to share a podcast I heard this week. Dr. Ruscio a Functional Medicine doctor out of CA had a very informative conversation about mold, mycotoxins, and CIRS (chronic immune response syndrome) with Dr. Jill Carnahan who specializes is treating patients injured by Biotoxins. If you have a moment to listen to this interview please do. A transcript is also included.

Below is a brief summary of points covered.

Dr. R’s Fast Facts

Most common symptoms
- Fatigue, cognitive problems, respiratory involvement
Other symptoms
- Fatigue
- Brain fog, memory impairment, word searching
- Weakness, achiness, joint pain, morning stiffness, and cramps
- Frequent urination, increased thirst
- Numbness, tingliness, and unusual skin sensations
- Congestion, shortness of brief, nasal stuffiness, red eyes, blurry vision – very common
- Sharp and sudden increase in weight
- Gut symptoms: loose stool, diarrhea, constipation
Where does this fit in with other health interventions?
- After diet, lifestyle, and gut health
- After simple thyroid evaluation
How to diagnose
- A good questionnaire of history (#1) and symptoms. Musty odors, previous water damage, illness started after moving…
- Ermi from micometrics for testing dust – one of the best starting tests. Less than 2 is safe.
  - https://www.mycometrics.com/
- Environment testing is difficult
Lab testing
- Genetics: HLA DR, very helpful. Available through LabCorp/Quest. Tests susceptibility.
- Tells if one cannot clear these toxins and creates CIRS
- C4a: elevations tell probable recent exposure
- TGF beta: immune activation
- Life Extensions has genetic test paired with biomarkers
  - Mold bio-toxins & mold genetics – $800 total
How to treat
- 1st – eliminate exposure, top priority
- 2nd – binders, bile acid sequestrants
  - Cholestyramine 4g 4x/day
  - Welchol 1-2x/day – not as effective but easier to take
  - Best results with clay, charcoal, glucomannan, and Rx all in combo
    - Coconut charcoal, bio-botanical GI detox clay, zymogen glucomannan
  - longer term dosing and on/off use is OK
Follow up testing/monitoring
- Visual acuity assessment
  - Once this improves, you can decrease and/or stop treatment
  - Responds quickly
Typical response
- 1st to respond, visual
- Followed by endocrine and gut
- Finally pulmonary and immune