I have been exposed to mold and am having some odd symptoms. So, I did a mycotoxin test recently. It was recommended to me to do that test by 2 mold testing companies. But, I could not get a local doctor to order it. I even checked with 3 of my doctors... It was not even an option in their system to order.

A local lab had the option to pay for it in cash (not cheap - as not thru insurance). I did so. When I google the details on myresults, it says to follow up with your medical professional. But, none of my doctors have a clue.

A doctor recommended talking to a toxicologist. He stated there were some at Texas A&M, but he had no idea how to connect me with one.

Anyone have any ideas? I'd like to show some reports to someone and get some opinions.

Maybe an infectious disease physician could help. I think a new one just came to this area. Lemos was the one I knew of but not sure if he is practicing anymore.

Assuming you feel comfortable doing so could you report back on the findings? I've noticed possible mold in spots in my old house and have some concerns as well.

Edit: NM, I hope you do get answers and it's not serious.

FlyRod said:

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Assuming you feel comfortable doing so could you report back on the findings? I've noticed possible mold in spots in my old house and have some concerns as well.

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I don't mind sending it to someone who knows the topic. I don't want to post things publicly, however.

OnlyForNow said:

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This seems like something you should be going to Houston or Dallas for, just saying.

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Toxicologist is not someone you can get a referral to from my primary doctor. I don't know who to contact. Not getting any luck with my local doctors here.

Quote:

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Maybe an infectious disease physician could help. I think a new one just came to this area. Lemos was the one I knew of but not sure if he is practicing anymore.

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Do you know the name of the new guy??

Check with the Texas Vet Med Diagnostic Lab They have toxicologists. 845-3414 and College of Vet Med They have or at least had a great toxicologist. 845-5051

MUAG said:

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Check with the Texas Vet Med Diagnostic Lab They have toxicologists. 845-3414 and College of Vet Med They have or at least had a great toxicologist. 845-5051

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Thanks. I will try this.

You want a private practice internal medicine doctor. Dr Patricia Salvato in Houston might be able to help you. She's a good doctor but be warned, her office is a catastrophe. I saw her years ago when I thought I might have lyme.

Just fyi, a lot of people are going to test Igg positive to a lot of that stuff. Most doctors are going to tell you that prior exposure is insignificant.

my wife got her undergrad in toxicology.. there's a whole department on campus..

I can see if she knows anyones still there if you want...


you do know that mold and fungi are part of our daily lives... its all over on every surface we touch...

studioone said:

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my wife got her undergrad in toxicology.. there's a whole department on campus..

I can see if she knows anyones still there if you want...


you do know that mold and fungi are part of our daily lives... its all over on every surface we touch...

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Yes, I would appreciate it.

I am trying to locate where the mold is at, but am having symptoms anytime I am at that place. It was recommended that I do this Mycotoxin test, and I'd just like to talk to someone about the results.

I do realize it is everywhere, but I have airsample tests that show I have a problem.

Mister Shipwreck said:

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studioone said:

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my wife got her undergrad in toxicology.. there's a whole department on campus..

I can see if she knows anyones still there if you want...


you do know that mold and fungi are part of our daily lives... its all over on every surface we touch...

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Yes, I would appreciate it.

I am trying to locate where the mold is at, but am having symptoms anytime I am at that place. It was recommended that I do this Mycotoxin test, and I'd just like to talk to someone about the results.

I do realize it is everywhere, but I have airsample tests that show I have a problem.

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Have you had the hvac system and ductwork looked at ?

On residential this is where I would start followed by close inspections of each tub/shower walls and other plumbing areas. Have also seen flashing and grading issues cause mold in structures.

JP76 said:

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Mister Shipwreck said:

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studioone said:

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my wife got her undergrad in toxicology.. there's a whole department on campus..

I can see if she knows anyones still there if you want...


you do know that mold and fungi are part of our daily lives... its all over on every surface we touch...

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Yes, I would appreciate it.

I am trying to locate where the mold is at, but am having symptoms anytime I am at that place. It was recommended that I do this Mycotoxin test, and I'd just like to talk to someone about the results.

I do realize it is everywhere, but I have airsample tests that show I have a problem.

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Have you had the hvac system and ductwork looked at ?

On residential this is where I would start followed by close inspections of each tub/shower walls and other plumbing areas. Have also seen flashing and grading issues cause mold in structures.

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Yes, I've had that checked. I have had several people look. I've had air sample tests that show positive results. But, we can't find the source. It seems to be localized to one area of the house - not the entire house.

studioone said:

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my wife got her undergrad in toxicology.. there's a whole department on campus..

I can see if she knows anyones still there if you want...


you do know that mold and fungi are part of our daily lives... its all over on every surface we touch...

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And staph

let me see, sorry did not see this until just now

Have you removed all sheetrock and carpet from that room?

Dr. Luis Duharte

OnlyForNow said:

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Have you removed all sheetrock and carpet from that room?

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No. Some walls have been cut open and looked in. And, we had the carpet and walls checked for moisture. There are no visible signs either. Pulling down all the sheetrock and demoing the bathroom is a last resort.

But, I am having health symptoms for months now. And, air samples from 1 test show a problem. I feel better when I am not at home - but it is getting old to have to find things to do all the time to stay out of my own house. It is a new house, too.

I am kind of stuck at the moment. So far, all of this has cost me close to $2500.

Have y'all looked inside your a/c unit that is in the attic? Coils and surrounding housing? Fan housing?

maroon barchetta said:

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Have y'all looked inside your a/c unit that is in the attic? Coils and surrounding housing? Fan housing?

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Yes, I had that looked at. I also have had several experts tell me that if it was in the a/c system, I would have high mold samples throughout the entire house. It is just in 1 area of the house.

Have you tried checking humidity readings in all the rooms at the same time to see if one room is higher than the others?

What area of the house ?

JP76 said:

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What area of the house ?

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Master bedroom, master bath and master closet. I suspect master bathroom, but we cant find anything wet.

The high mold reading was done in the door way of the master bathroom/master closet.

JP76 said:

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Have you tried checking humidity readings in all the rooms at the same time to see if one room is higher than the others?

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I have not done that. I suppose I will buy a meter and check that. I have had people with moisture meters check everywhere in all 3 rooms (walls, carpet, baseboards). No luck. I really suspected the shower being the source, but inside of 2 of the 3 walls... nothing was found.

I am waiting a few more weeks to take another air sample test. Don't know what else to do. We cannot find the source

Mister Shipwreck said:

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JP76 said:

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Have you tried checking humidity readings in all the rooms at the same time to see if one room is higher than the others?

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I have not done that. I suppose I will buy a meter and check that. I have had people with moisture meters check everywhere in all 3 rooms (walls, carpet, baseboards). No luck. I really suspected the shower being the source, but inside of 2 of the 3 walls... nothing was found.

I am waiting a few more weeks to take another air sample test. Don't know what else to do. We cannot find the source

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Is it a tile shower?

Is pan tile also ?

Tile shower and a fiberglass pan for the floor.

I had a professional company come look, and they couldn't find any source. Only the tile itself was showing moisture. It had been 2 weeks since the shower was last used when he was there. But, there was still moisture showing for the tile.

There is supposedly some orange colored liner behind the tile. A camera was used inside of 1 of the walls, 2 walls of the shower have been checked. And, an thermal camera was used and saw nothing either.

I don't know where the source is. It is strange.

Did they do wall punches? Where they take a sample of the Sheetrock all the way through? Then test air inside the wall?

Being absurdly honest, $2,500 isn't a lot if your health is seriously going down the tubes man.

I'd rip the entire bathroom and bedroom apart, if you truly think it's mold and is in one of those two areas.

OnlyForNow said:

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Did they do wall punches? Where they take a sample of the Sheetrock all the way through? Then test air inside the wall?

Being absurdly honest, $2,500 isn't a lot if your health is seriously going down the tubes man.

I'd rip the entire bathroom and bedroom apart, if you truly think it's mold and is in one of those two areas.

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No, a hole has been cut on 1 wall of the shower ( from the other side - and, it is still open). And, several people have looked inside of it. Nothing is showing anywhere inside of the drywall.

The side of the tub has also been removed (it is still open)... And by looking under the tub/side of the tub - the 1/2 wall seperating the tub and shower has been examined from the inside too. Only the outside wall (back) of the shower has not been looked in. But, the outside wall behind the tub itself looks fine too. I had a professional come spend two hours looking for issues, and he could find nothing.

At the next air sample I have taken, I will see if some surface tests can be done. But,, so far, nothing is visible anywhere. i've been told that there should be nothing under the fiberglass floor of the shower.

I did check humidity in the 3 rooms (master bath, master closet and master bedroom). All were the same - 42%.

My wife is using the shower currently, as being in that bathroom bothers me. Now that she is using it, it seems that my problems are getting worse again. Somehow, I don't see how it can be anything BUT the shower somehow.

Mister Shipwreck said:

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OnlyForNow said:

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Did they do wall punches? Where they take a sample of the Sheetrock all the way through? Then test air inside the wall?

Being absurdly honest, $2,500 isn't a lot if your health is seriously going down the tubes man.

I'd rip the entire bathroom and bedroom apart, if you truly think it's mold and is in one of those two areas.

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No, a hole has been cut on 1 wall of the shower ( from the other side - and, it is still open). And, several people have looked inside of it. Nothing is showing anywhere inside of the drywall.

The side of the tub has also been removed (it is still open)... And by looking under the tub/side of the tub - the 1/2 wall seperating the tub and shower has been examined from the inside too. Only the outside wall (back) of the shower has not been looked in. But, the outside wall behind the tub itself looks fine too. I had a professional come spend two hours looking for issues, and he could find nothing.

At the next air sample I have taken, I will see if some surface tests can be done. But,, so far, nothing is visible anywhere. i've been told that there should be nothing under the fiberglass floor of the shower.

I did check humidity in the 3 rooms (master bath, master closet and master bedroom). All were the same - 42%.

My wife is using the shower currently, as being in that bathroom bothers me. Now that she is using it, it seems that my problems are getting worse again. Somehow, I don't see how it can be anything BUT the shower somehow.

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Can you post a picture of the shower ?

Especially the tile to fiberglass transition area ?

There could be a hairline crack in the fiberglass, also could be a drain issue under that pan or cracked pipe/trap.

Have also seen leaks off the riser and/or the 90 where the shower arm screws in. Only leaks when turned on


Did they remove the entire perimeter Sheetrock where the base of the shower is on the opposite side of that shower ?

You can remove the base and only cut the drywall ~3 inches that is under the base to explore and then you don't have to do any drywall repair or texturing

JP76 said:

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Mister Shipwreck said:

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OnlyForNow said:

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Did they do wall punches? Where they take a sample of the Sheetrock all the way through? Then test air inside the wall?

Being absurdly honest, $2,500 isn't a lot if your health is seriously going down the tubes man.

I'd rip the entire bathroom and bedroom apart, if you truly think it's mold and is in one of those two areas.

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No, a hole has been cut on 1 wall of the shower ( from the other side - and, it is still open). And, several people have looked inside of it. Nothing is showing anywhere inside of the drywall.

The side of the tub has also been removed (it is still open)... And by looking under the tub/side of the tub - the 1/2 wall seperating the tub and shower has been examined from the inside too. Only the outside wall (back) of the shower has not been looked in. But, the outside wall behind the tub itself looks fine too. I had a professional come spend two hours looking for issues, and he could find nothing.

At the next air sample I have taken, I will see if some surface tests can be done. But,, so far, nothing is visible anywhere. i've been told that there should be nothing under the fiberglass floor of the shower.

I did check humidity in the 3 rooms (master bath, master closet and master bedroom). All were the same - 42%.

My wife is using the shower currently, as being in that bathroom bothers me. Now that she is using it, it seems that my problems are getting worse again. Somehow, I don't see how it can be anything BUT the shower somehow.

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Can you post a picture of the shower ?

Especially the tile to fiberglass transition area ?

There could be a hairline crack in the fiberglass, also could be a drain issue under that pan or cracked pipe/trap.

Have also seen leaks off the riser and/or the 90 where the shower arm screws in. Only leaks when turned on


Did they remove the entire perimeter Sheetrock where the base of the shower is on the opposite side of that shower ?

You can remove the base and only cut the drywall ~3 inches that is under the base to explore and then you don't have to do any drywall repair or texturing

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Can we take this off, via email?

My email address is (all 1 word) - goldfish panda @ Hotmail . com

Please shoot me an email....

Have you pulled back all the baseboards? We had to do this to find the source of mildew smell in a new house. Had people come out, do thermal cameras, leak tests, AC checks, checking attic and below the house, and exterior siding. 3 different companies. No one could find anything. I lost my mind one night and removed all the baseboards in one room and found the mold growing on the backside of one of the baseboards.

OP said house is new. Somewhat common problem as result of framing before the slab has dried.

Baseboard was pulled back on 1 wall. Builder won't do anymore than that. I may just have to do that myself in all 3 rooms and pay for it myself.

But, not much else can be done with the shower, short of demoing the shower, unfortunately.

I may be wrong, but I am still convinced it is the shower that is the cause of this. How, I do not know.