Educational Guide to your MoldCo Starter Panel Results
The Starter Panel is MoldCo’s most accessible lab test. It looks at 3 key blood markers to help you understand how—and if—mold exposure (or associated biotoxins) may be impacting your body.
We're proud to not make money from this lab because we believe that no-one should have to pay more to get answers.
These markers are closely linked to patterns often associated with Mold Toxicity, which may result in:
- Increased inflammation from an overactive immune system
- Lower levels of hormones that help keep your body in balance
- Disruptions in how your cells and metabolism normally function
This test gives you an insight on how mold may be affecting your body, and why you may be experiencing certain symptoms.
We created a guide crafted on research and 30+ years of clinical experience to help you understand what your body is trying to tell you. If you’re noticing measurements that are not within range, it could be due to Mold Toxicity or associated biotoxins. Levels typically are worse for those who have a higher severity of exposure and are not actively being treated.
The number of out-of-reference lab markers can give you a clue as to whether Mold Toxicity may be affecting your health. While a single abnormal test might not tell the full story, a pattern of multiple abnormal results helps give a more complete picture. If you’re feeling off, we always recommend competing MoldCo’s intake form and symptom analysis.
NOTE: If experiencing any symptoms, we recommend completing our intake questionnaire to help determine if they may be related to Mold Toxicity
TOTAL BIOMARKERS OUT OF REFERENCE RANGE & RISK OF MOLD/BIOTOXIN TOXICITY
Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-β1) is a central regulator of cell growth, immune function, and tissue repair that rises in response to inflammation. High levels are often seen in Mold Toxicity and may reflect the body’s attempt to control and balance ongoing immune stress.
0-2,380 pg/mL
>2,380 pg/mL
High levels can impair the normal immune and tissue processes, which can contribute to symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and breathing issues.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an enzyme that helps the body respond to damage by opening up pathways for repair. In Mold Toxicity, MMP-9 elevates, which can then lead to more inflammation and tissue damage, especially in the brain and other organ systems.
<333 ng/mL
Greater than 332 ng/mL
High levels may signal that your body is under persistent stress from mold toxins, potentially contributing to fatigue, breathing difficulties, brain fog, and mood swings.
Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH) is a brain hormone that regulates key functions such as sleep, hunger, and stress response. With mold exposure, MSH levels often change due to chronic stress on the immune system, triggering hormonal dysregulation throughout the body.
Less than 12 pg/mL
Less than 35 pg/mL
35-81 pg/mL
Low MSH can cause brain fog, fatigue, reduced sleep quality, poor mood, chronic pain, inflammation, increased thirst, and temperature sensitivity. MSH is typically one of the last biomarkers to see improvement during treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The different laboratory testing companies (e.g., Labcorp, Quest) that perform each biomarker assay (biochemical test known as a lab derived test or LDT) have unique methodologies for determining the value of each biomarker from your blood sample. For a given biomarker, the laboratory testing company determines the average value for that biomarker in the general population – the population mean. Values that fall within 2 standard deviations of the population mean are considered to be “normal” or “in range”, and as such may change over time as more data is collected from the general population by that lab company, potentially shifting the mean. These values in isolation do not indicate the presence of any particular disease or medical condition. The “normal range” or “reference range” may differ between laboratory companies based on internal population data. Labcorp includes their reference ranges for each biomarker in the report you receive. While similar, these do not reflect the range of values that are used by clinicians in the assessment of Mold Toxicity, which have remained mostly unchanged over the past 30 years, except for changes in interpretation to reflect relevant alterations in test methodology. The reference ranges used by Mold Toxicity clinicians are based on observations of the levels of each biomarker associated with Mold Toxicity from patient clinical records.
DISCLAIMER
The results of this lab panel are for information purposes only and do not include clinician oversight, and should not be used to make a diagnosis, recommend treatment options or health claim without consulting your licensed healthcare providers. The information and guidance provided herein is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any health-related claims made on or in this package, or on MoldCo’s website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). MoldCo assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the references nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The biological analytes and clinical symptoms discussed on this page are not specific to any disease or other medical entity, including Mold Toxicity. The purpose of this panel is to obtain measurements of blood biomarkers associated with Mold Toxicity or CIRS, as described in the medical and scientific literature, and which reflect clinical practice by certain mold-certified clinicians. You should discuss any lab results with your licensed health care practitioner or primary care physician. Any educational and informational information provided with lab results is focused solely on Mold Toxicity and does not include education on abnormal results for other medical conditions. MoldCo is a healthcare technology company and not a laboratory or medical provider. All laboratory and medical services are provided by independent third parties. These laboratory and medical service providers set their own pricing. Although MoldCo may facilitate easy access to certain laboratory and medical service providers on your behalf, MoldCo does not recommend or refer you to any healthcare providers, and you are free to choose any healthcare provider and to continue to use MoldCo’s services. MoldCo does not offer medical advice, laboratory services, a diagnosis, or any form of medical opinion, through our services or otherwise. MoldCo’s pricing includes technology and service fees charged by MoldCo, as well as access to limited prepaid laboratory and other services provided by third parties, and paid to such third parties on your behalf. Itemization of all fees is available upon request. For other important information regarding the services provided by MoldCo, please see the terms of service. Please refer to our Legal section for further details, disclaimers, and MoldCo’s Terms and Services.
References:
- Shoemaker, R. C., & House, D. E. (2006). Sick building syndrome (SBS) and exposure to water-damaged buildings: Time series study, clinical trial and mechanisms. Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 28(5), 573–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2006.07.003
- Shoemaker, R. C., House, D., & Ryan, J. C. (2013). Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) corrects chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) acquired following exposure to water-damaged buildings. Health, 05(03), 396–401. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.2013.53053
- Straub, R. H., Lehle, K., Herfarth, H., Weber, M., Falk, W., Preuner, J., & Scholmerich, J. (2002). Dehydroepiandrosterone in relation to other adrenal hormones during an acute inflammatory stressful disease state compared with chronic inflammatory disease: Role of interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor. European Journal of Endocrinology, 146(3), 365–374. https://doi.org/10.1530/eje.0.1460365
- Lab Tests for Mold Illness—Secrets of Surviving Mold. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://www.survivingmold.com/resources-for-patients/diagnosis/lab-tests
- Hsieh, Y.-W., Tsai, Y.-W., Lai, H.-H., Lai, C.-Y., Lin, C.-Y., & Her, G. M. (2021). Depletion of Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Induces Insatiable Appetite and Gains in Energy Reserves and Body Weight in Zebrafish. Biomedicines, 9(8), 941. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9080941
- Lee, H. S., & Kim, W. J. (2022). The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase in Inflammation with a Focus on Infectious Diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(18), 10546. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810546
- Travis, M. A., & Sheppard, D. (2014). TGF-β Activation and Function in Immunity. Annual Review of Immunology, 32, 51–82.
