CIRS/Mould Illness Testing

If you're concerned about mould illness/CIRS, the first step is to complete a Symptom Cluster Analysis. The below table represents research by Dr Ritchie Shoemaker, who found that 37 common symptoms could be categorised into 13 clusters. His clinical research suggests that if an adult possesses eight or more clusters of symptoms, the likelihood of CIRS exceeds 95%.

In my clinic the five most common CIRS symptoms are fatigue, difficulty concentrating, decreased assimilation of knowledge, memory impairment and mood swings. You can access the free symptom cluster analysis via this link.

If you have 6 or more positive symptom clusters, the next step is to complete a Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS) test. Visual contrast sensitivity testing measures your ability to see details at low contrast levels and is often used as a nonspecific test of neurological function, which commonly declines in CIRS patients. The VCS test has a 92% accuracy rate based on data collected from tens of thousands of tests taken over the years since Dr. Shoemaker first began using it.

Below is an example of a client's VCS results while being exposed to mould (fail) and then after CIRS treatment with full resolution of symptoms (pass).

If your VCS test and symptom cluster analysis are positive, then you might want to do a mycotoxin urine analysis to measure the amount of mycotoxin you're excreting. You can use either the Real Time or Great Plains labs, but my preference is Real Time because provocation (glutathione + sweating) usually prevents false negatives.

Here's an example from a girl who was exposed to mould in a water damaged building. The second test is after 6 months of CIRS treatment and shows reduced levels of mycotoxins with a significant reduction in symptoms.

If you have positive results for the symptom cluster analysis, the VCS test and the mycotoxin urine test, then you almost certainly have mould-related illness. At this point it can be helpful to do further testing that can further guide the treatment process, including Dr Shoemaker's biomarker panel (eg. HLA gene test, VIP, MSH, ADH etc) and either a MARCoNS nasal swab or an Organic Acids Test (OAT) to provide insights into colonisation of mould in the nasal passage and/or gut.

You can find more info about mould illness testing and treatment at drkatehealth.com/mould-illness and via Dr Kate's YouTube page. Please email the HHN Clinic nutrify@drkatehealth.com or book a free Discovery Call at www.drkatehealth.com/service-page/discovery-call if you need help navigating CIRS testing and treatment.