Is Mold Toxicity Making You Sick? 10 Surprising Symptoms You Might Be Ignoring

If you're constantly feeling "off"—tired, foggy, anxious, or inflamed—but your routine labs keep coming back normal, it might be time to consider a hidden culprit: mold toxicity! Here in Naples, FL, where humidity levels are high and many homes have experienced water damage from hurricanes or leaks, mold exposure is a much more common health concern than people realize. Even if you can't see it, toxic mold can thrive behind walls, under floors, or in HVAC systems—and the symptoms can sneak up on you.

Let’s dive into the surprising signs of mold illness, the science behind it, and what to do if you suspect it's affecting your health.

What Is Mold Toxicity?

Mold toxicity (also known as chronic inflammatory response syndrome, or CIRS) is a condition triggered by mycotoxins—toxic byproducts released by certain molds. While not everyone reacts the same way, an estimated 25% of the population has a genetic predisposition (HLA-DR gene variants or MTHFR genes) that makes it hard for their body to clear these toxins.

Over time, this exposure can trigger a wide range of systemic symptoms. And unfortunately, most people don’t associate these signs with mold.

10 Surprising Symptoms of Mold Toxicity

1. Brain Fog and Memory Issues

Ever walk into a room and forget why? While that happens to all of us, persistent forgetfulness, slow thinking, or difficulty concentrating can be early signs of mold-related inflammation in the brain. A 2021 NIH study showed that mycotoxins like ochratoxin A and aflatoxins can cross the blood-brain barrier and trigger neuroinflammation. “Therefore, as the AFB1 (aflatoxin) administration went on for 90 days, astrocyte toxicity and damage were induced more severely”.

2. Chronic Fatigue

You’re getting 8 hours of sleep—but still dragging all day. Mold disrupts mitochondrial function, the energy powerhouse of cells, leading to deep exhaustion that doesn't improve with rest. I have seen many patients with the initial complaint of insomnia and severe daytime fatigue despite having “normal” workups and no evidence of sleep apnea.

3. Anxiety or Mood Swings

Mold affects the gut-brain axis and can disrupt neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. You may feel anxious, depressed, or emotionally unstable without any clear cause. In adults, this can present as panic attacks, anxiety, emotional outbursts. In children it presents more as temper tantrums and inconsolability. 

4. Sinus Congestion or Frequent Infections

Mold spores often affect the respiratory tract. If you have constant sinus pressure, post-nasal drip, or recurring infections, mold might be at play. Mold can even begin to cultivate in the sinuses and despite being out of a moldy environment you can continue to reinfect yourself.  

5. Muscle Aches or Joint Pain

Without injury or arthritis, random aches and stiffness can signal systemic inflammation. Mold can increase cytokines that irritate tissues and mimic autoimmune pain. This can also look like fibromyalgia. 

6. Tingling, Numbness, or Sensitivity

Some patients experience burning, tingling, or vibrating sensations (called paresthesias) due to mold’s impact on the nervous system. I have had patients tell me they feel like their body is vibrating. They are almost nervous to tell anyone since it sounds a little crazy. This can happen with mold toxicity.

7. Digestive Problems

Mold can disrupt your microbiome and increase intestinal permeability ("leaky gut"), leading to bloating, food intolerances, nausea, or IBS-like symptoms. It is also not uncommon to see other fungal species predominate in the gut, like candida overgrowth. Candida overgrowth can present as sugar cravings, dark circles around the eyes, white film on the tongue, and bloating. 

8. Multiple sensitivities - Light, Sound, Smells. 

Do bright lights or loud noises feel overwhelming? Mold can activate the limbic system—your brain’s fear center—making sensory input feel exaggerated. My mold patients are often hypersensitive to almost everything - Light, sounds, foods, smells, and touch. Just being in the vicinity of someone with perfume/cologne can cause an allergic reaction (runny nose, congestion, teary/burning eyes, cough). 

9. Hormonal Imbalances

Mold disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates your hormones. This can lead to:

• Low libido

• Irregular periods

• Low thyroid function

• Adrenal fatigue

10. Unexplained Weight Gain or Loss

Mold exposure can trigger chronic inflammation and insulin resistance—or, in some cases, nausea and poor absorption leading to weight loss. The body will often try to tuck mycotoxins away in fat cells to get it out of circulation and away from other organs. This can cause some stubborn fat that is incredibly difficult to lose. This can be an incredibly frustrating symptom of mold toxicity. Despite a perfect healthy diet, frequent exercise, and doing all the right things - you find yourself stuck with that extra 30-40lbs. This is something that might resolve with mold treatment.

Why Mold Is Easy to Miss in Naples, FL

Southwest Florida is beautiful, but also a breeding ground for mold:

• High humidity year-round

• Frequent rain and hurricanes

• Poor ventilation in older homes and condos

• Mold growth behind drywall, in attics, or air ducts

Even luxury homes in Naples aren’t immune. We’ve seen patients who felt unwell for years, only to discover mold hidden behind a refrigerator or under carpeting after water damage.

Functional Lab Testing for Mold Toxicity

At Harmony Health Clinic, we offer comprehensive mold panels through specialty labs like RealTime Labs and Vibrant Wellness. These tests can detect:

• Mycotoxins in urine using companies like Mosaic or Vibrant America

• Inflammatory markers like TGF-β1 and C4a

• Hormone imbalances and adrenal dysfunction

• Nutrient depletions caused by chronic inflammation

These tools help us piece together the root cause—so we can personalize a detox plan that works.

What to Do If You Suspect Mold Is Making You Sick

1. Get tested. Rule out other conditions and confirm mold-related biomarkers.

2. Check your home. Hire a certified mold inspector (not just an air quality test).

3. Remove the source. Remediation is critical—no supplement can outmatch ongoing exposure. For those who cannot detox well, we often need to use mold killing agents to help rid the body. We can use herbal blends or in some cases prescriptive anti-fungals.

4. Support detox pathways. We often use binders (like activated charcoal, Zeolite or bentonite clay), glutathione, NAC,  and liver support blends.

5. Rebuild the gut and immune system. Probiotics, nutrients, and anti-inflammatory foods help restore balance.

Is Mold Making You Sick? Let’s Find Out

If you live in Naples or nearby and are struggling with chronic fatigue, brain fog, or unexplained symptoms, mold might be the missing piece of your health puzzle. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Book a functional medicine consultation at Harmony Health Clinic, and let’s get to the root cause—so you can start healing with clarity and confidence.

Schedule a visit today

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a licensed healthcare professional.

Citations & Research Sources

• Brewer, J.H., et al. (2013). Detection of mycotoxins in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Toxins, 5(4), 605–617.

• Shoemaker, R. et al. (2010). Chronic inflammatory response syndrome: Diagnosis and treatment of CIRS due to water-damaged buildings. Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 32(1), 1–3.

• Janik, E., Niemcewicz, M., Ceremuga, M., Stela, M., Szymańska, J., Satar, D., Bijak, M., & Saluk-Bijak, J. (2021). Molecular Aspects of Mycotoxins—A Serious Problem for Human Health. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(21), 10838.