Can Mold Cause Fatigue?

Can Mold Cause Fatigue?

Does mold make you tired?

Absolutely – in fact, chronic fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of mold sickness.

If you are susceptible to mold illness and are exposed to mold, your cells will struggle to make energy. As a result, this mold exposure will cause fatigue.

A mold and fatigue story…

You wake up after a full night’s sleep, only to feel as though you haven’t rested at all. You then drag yourself through the day, constantly battling brain fog, aching muscles, and a sense of exhaustion that just won’t go away. Over time, this persistent fatigue starts to interfere with everything—from work to relationships. It becomes a struggle to enjoy anything.

You might think it’s just the stress of juggling family, work, and other commitments. If you go to your doctor, these symptoms are often wrongly attributed to stress, aging, or even illnesses like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia.

However, the mysterious symptoms you are experiencing like chronic fatigue, muscle aches, and even headaches may all be signs that mold is making you sick.

In this article, we’re going to explore how mold and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome could be affecting your health and why mold exposure might be the hidden cause behind your chronic fatigue.

Can mold exposure cause fatigue?

It’s not just living or sleeping in a moldy house that is making you sick. If you are worried that mold is making you tired all the time, you need to consider an illness called Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). This is a condition that can develop when your body is exposed to mold and other biotoxins.

About 25% of the population have the genes to develop mold illness, also known as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) when exposed to mold.

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is a complex condition triggered by exposure to biotoxins, including those from mold, bacteria, and other environmental toxins. When people with CIRS are exposed to mold or water-damaged buildings, their immune system becomes chronically activated, leading to a wide range of symptoms. This includes everything from fatigue and headaches to respiratory problems and muscle pain.

If you are susceptible to CIRS and are exposed to mold, your cells will struggle to make energy. As a result, this exposure to mold will cause fatigue.

Now, you need to know that there is a huge difference between a mold allergy and CIRS. Chronic fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of CIRS, but is not connected to a mold allergy. If you are allergic to mold and suffer from fatigue, your fatigue will clear up when the mold is gone.

However, if you have CIRS, it is very likely that you will develop chronic fatigue.

Other illnesses mold can cause include:

• Fibromyalgia
• IBS
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
• MCAS

All too often, those who are dealing with a toxic mold illness get labeled with a diagnosis that only describes their symptoms, like Chronic Fatigue. However, it’s really mold that is the root cause!

How does mold exposure cause fatigue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome begins in your mitochondria. Mitochondria are the energy producers in your cells. If your cells aren’t producing enough energy you will experience fatigue. One reason they aren’t producing enough energy is due to the disruption of a hormone called VEGF.

Mold exposure causes fatigue because of the mold’s effect on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF cues the body to form new blood vessels.

When you were just a tiny embryo, VEGF is what helped your body create an entire network of blood vessels.

Molds and their biotoxins bind to surface receptors of cells within your body. Your immune system recognizes these biotoxins as intruders and sounds the alarm bells. This initial activation of your immune system tends to cause symptoms like:

• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Unstable temperature
• Difficulty concentrating

As your immune system activates, your body sends white blood cells to the area. With too many white blood cells, there’s not enough room for red blood cells. Red blood cells carry blood and oxygen.

One of your body’s initial responses to toxic mold is to increase VEGF levels, to bring more red blood cells to the area. This restores oxygen supply to tissues. In the early days of CIRS, you’ll likely see elevated VEGF levels.

But after suffering from CIRS for a prolonged period of time, you start to see the opposite occur – a lowering of VEGF levels.

So to recap:

1. You get exposed to mold.
2. Your immune system is activated and white blood cells are sent to the area, choking out red blood cells.
3. Your body is susceptible to developing CIRS, so instead of increasing VEGF to form new blood vessels that will deliver oxygen to the area, your body lowers VEGF.

What do you think happens when your muscles don’t get enough oxygen?

You guessed it: muscle fatigue, aches, and/or cramping. Sometimes, it can be so intense that you struggle to remain standing upright.

Other symptoms of mold and fatigue

In addition to muscle fatigue, aches, and/or cramping  caused by low VEGF, you may experience:

• Fatigue: Extreme tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest.
• Brain fog: Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and mental confusion.
• Joint and muscle pain: Often mistaken for fibromyalgia or arthritis.
• Headaches and migraines: Severe and often persistent.
• Difficulty breathing: Wheezing or shortness of breath when indoors.
• Skin rashes or irritation: Often due to immune system activation.

These symptoms may sound very familiar if you have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and/or fibromyalgia.

That’s because the symptoms of CIRS can overlap with the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia. However, the common treatments for CFS and fibromyalgia don’t work if you have CIRS. That’s because if CIRS is behind your sickness, the only treatment is to address the root cause of your illness, which are the mold toxins in your cells.

How to know if mold is causing your fatigue

Let’s be clear, it’s very difficult to diagnose CFS properly. The diagnosis is based on symptoms. And it’s often handed out when doctors don’t know what’s causing your fatigue.

CIRS, on the other hand, is very easy to diagnose.

In our clinic, we use a number of proven methods to determine if CIRS is causing your fatigue.

1. We ask patients to run a screening test, called the VCS eye test. This simple screening tool on Dr. Shoemaker’s Surviving Mold site is an excellent indicator if CIRS is behind our patient’s health issues.
2. Our Shoemaker Protocol practitioners conduct a short interview. Our practitioners offer a complimentary consult to discuss the results of the VCS, and to learn more about our patient’s health issues. This information helps them make an informed recommendation for further testing.
3. If our practitioners strongly feel that our patient has CIRS, they will recommend one of two blood tests:
   1. Proteomics, or inflammatory markers. This diagnostic tool measures inflammatory markers such as VEGF, C4a, MMP9 and others. It definitively tells us if our patient is suffering from CIRS.
   2. The GENIE test. This blood test, developed by Dr. Shoemaker, gives us  our patient’s mitochondrial RNA. It tells us if you likely have CIRS, what biotoxins you are susceptible to, and how your illness has affected your body at a cellular level. It provides your practitioner with a clear pathway to treatment.

*Note that we do not use or recommend urinary mycotoxin testing as it is not an accurate way to diagnose CIRS. 

Once we confirm you are suffering from CIRS, the only scientifically proven method of regaining your health is following the Shoemaker Protocol.

Do you think you have CIRS? Book a complimentary 15 minute phone chat with one of our Shoemaker practitioners!

The Shoemaker Protocol

The only proven way to get rid of the mold toxins and regain your energy is to follow the patented Shoemaker Protocol. The Shoemaker Protocol is the only scientifically proven method of treating CIRS. It is a 12 step process that relies on ensuring your environment is mold and toxin-free.

But please note, before treating low VEGF you need to get rid of biotoxins and treat CIRS in the correct order. Addressing low VEGF levels on their own will not improve your symptoms.

How to detox your body from mold properly

The Shoemaker Protocol is a 12 step process that will detox your body from mold and correct the hormonal imbalances caused by your illness.

Although there are how-to guides available online, we strongly recommend working with a trained Shoemaker Protocol practitioner. These practitioners have undergone extensive training to guide patients successfully through the Shoemaker Protocol, and will be up to date on the latest advances and discoveries in CIRS research.

Do you think you have CIRS? Book a complimentary 15 minute phone chat with one of our Shoemaker practitioners!

The steps of the Shoemaker Protocol are built like a pyramid – they all depend on the first step in order to be successful. If the first step is not addressed properly, the protocol can not be completed.

The mold detox protocol

Step One: Identify & Remove Mold Exposure
This is the first step in addressing the root cause of your fatigue. If you suspect mold is in your home, workplace, or other environments, it’s crucial to inspect for mold growth and get professional mold testing. Mold can hide behind walls, under carpets, and in air ducts, so a thorough inspection is important.

Once mold is detected, it’s vital to eliminate it from your living or working space. Mold removal may require professional remediation, especially if the mold is hidden or has spread extensively. You’ll also need to address any moisture issues in your environment to prevent the mold from returning. Remember, removal is key. Spraying mold with bleach or any other product designed to kill mold is not sufficient. The mold needs to be physically removed, not killed.

Step Two: Detox Your Body
Mold toxins can linger in your body, contributing to persistent fatigue and other symptoms. Using binders like Cholestyramine (CSM) or Welchol can help absorb and eliminate these toxins. Our clinic uses a privately compounded binder made up of okra and beet extract that is proven to have the same binding charge as CSM on bile acids.

Step Three: Eliminating MARCONS
MARCoNS are antibiotic-resistant bacteria that live in your nasal cavity. Generally, MSH will kill MARCoNS. However, many CIRS patients have low MSH levels because of biotoxins, so MARCoNS are able to take up residence in the nasal cavity.

Steps Five to Twelve: Addressing Hormonal Imbalances and Decreasing Inflammatory Markers  
Once these first three steps are successfully completed, your Shoemaker Protocol practitioner will use the results of your GENIE test to guide you through the remaining steps.

Raising low VEGF is just one of the many steps involved in treating CIRS. When VEGF is corrected, it’s the part of the treatment that brings about the greatest improvement in energy levels. And now you know why – VEGF is essential to supply your tissues with oxygenated blood. If that doesn’t happen, you’re going to feel fatigued.

Conclusion: Is Mold the Cause of Your Fatigue?

If you’ve been feeling exhausted, experiencing brain fog, or dealing with unexplained headaches, mold exposure may be the hidden culprit behind your symptoms. The good news is that once you identify the source of mold exposure, remove it from your environment, detoxify your body, and support your immune system, recovery is possible. It may take time, but with the right approach, you can regain your energy, mental clarity, and overall well-being.

So, could mold exposure be the cause of your fatigue?

The answer might be more straightforward than you think—and taking the right steps could help you get back to feeling your best.

Do you think you have CIRS? Book a complimentary 15 minute phone chat with one of our Shoemaker practitioners!

Further Reading:

•Identifying CIRS Symptoms: A Guide – Learn more about how CIRS affects fatigue and cognitive function.

•Mold and Its Impact on the Immune System – Discover how mold can weaken your immune system and what you can do to support it.

 

Mark Volmer has attained the highest level of Shoemaker Protocol certification, and is one of only two of Canada’s Shoemaker Protocol practitioners. The Shoemaker Protocol is the only scientifically proven method of treating CIRS.