In caring for a large number of patients suffering from mold toxicity, I have seen just about every disease and symptom under the sun coming from mold exposure. I am still amazed at the agility of my enemy (yes, mold is my hated enemy for many reasons) to cause so many different problems for human health. Over the years, I have tried collect research proof of these conditions but had not seen one connecting mold toxicity with sarcoidosis until now. In this study researchers correlated exposure to mold growth in individual’s home with occurrence of sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis is a mysterious disease in which granulomas form mainly in the lungs but also in other body areas. These granulomas are inflammatory masses of immune reactive cells that can severely damage lung function and / or disrupt other organ function. The cause behind sarcoidosis has been speculated upon for decades with a number of suspects having been suggested.
This study cannot confirm a direct connection, just correlation. An investigation of the mechanism and further research is needed. However, I have one patient with mold toxicity who developed sarcoidosis soon after detoxification. I don’t know if the sarcoid was actually present earlier but it does make me wonder if the mold caused her sarcoidosis.
In helping patients restore health and live a healthier more abundant life, we have to keep our minds open to possible disease connections. Our toxic world offers a large number of potential toxic triggers for a myriad of unexplained diseases and symptoms. Until we have more definitive information, I will be checking any new sarcoidosis patient for mold toxicity from now on.
Referenced Article:
Terčelj, Marjeta et al. “Fungal exposure in homes of patients with sarcoidosis – an environmental exposure study.” Environmental health : a global access science source vol. 10,1 8. 20 Jan. 2011, doi:10.1186/1476-069X-10-8
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
