Autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s often have an overwhelming effect on your health. One of the most alarming and misleading factors that contribute to the development of Hashimoto’s is mold.
Can Mold Exposure Affect Thyroid Health?
Yes, mold exposure can affect your thyroid health because continuously growing mold spores produce toxic mycotoxins. Though mold exposure in small amounts does not present any significant health problems in healthy individuals, individuals suffering from an autoimmune condition can experience serious health concerns if exposed to mold.
How Can Mold Trigger Hashimoto’s?
Mold is an often overlooked autoimmune stressor. This type of prolonged stress on a person’s immune system can trigger certain autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s. Additionally, mold infections of the sinus encourage intestinal permeability, or leaky gut, a powerful trigger for autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s. And as far as Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism are concerned, mold can cause both.
Can Mold Cause Hormonal Imbalance?
Yes. Mold can affect hormones like cortisol and estrogen in your body. It puts added stress on adrenal glands and causes cortisol levels to spike. It can mimic estrogen and cause a hormonal imbalance leading to several health issues such as fatigue, weight gain, headaches, brain fog, depression, etc.
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Toxic and Non-Toxic Mold: What’s the Difference
Not all types of molds are dangerous. Many molds are used as nutrient-rich foods and are helpful for pharmaceutical applications. The main difference between toxic molds and non-toxic molds is that toxic ones produce harmful mycotoxins. Exposure to mycotoxins can cause immune malfunction, neurological dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and increase the risk of Hashimoto’s.
Is Mold an Endocrine Disruptor?
Yes. Mold is considered a major endocrine disruptor that can trigger thyroid disorders that can go unnoticed for years.
Also Read – Which Chemicals Cause Thyroid Problems?
Mold and Thyroid: Common Thyroid Problems
Diagnosing thyroid dysfunction due to mold exposure is difficult, especially by checking your TSH levels to diagnose your thyroid condition. Mold exposure often leads to a thyroid lab pattern called non-thyroidal illness syndrome. To diagnose this condition, you need lab tests, including reverse T3 and free T3.
Mold: Potential Root Cause of Symptoms
Researchers have found that the endothelial cells that form the blood-brain barrier can become compromised by molds. Any damage to the blood-brain barrier allows substances to cross into the brain and damage the neurons, causing sensitivities towards exposure to various substances, ranging from air fresheners to wood smoke.
How is Mold Poisoning Treated?
Usually, mold poisoning symptoms will disappear as soon as you eliminate mold from your surroundings. Different over-the-counter nasal sprays are available to reduce any lingering airway inflammation. Antihistamines and decongestants can help to calm any swelling and inflammation. If needed, you can also take allergy shots to control the symptoms.
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