Mycotoxin Exposure and Development of Endocrine Problems

A number of reports have described endocrine gland malfunction following infection to molds and/or exposure to mold mycotoxins.

Below are presented some research which may link mold infection/mycotoxin exposure to adrenal failure, thyroid and pituitary gland failure, and possible links to type 1 diabetes- pancreas failure.

PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS AND ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY. Paracoccidioidomycosis is a common fungal infection in Latin American Nations such as Brazil ¹. The infection commonly starts in the lungs, causing lung damage, often spreading to other parts of the body, and causing fatigue and weight loss¹. The disease is caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and is especially common in rural agricultural areas¹. A case series was presented of 3 middle-aged male Brazilian agricultural workers who developed adrenal insufficiency following paracoccidioidomycosis ¹.   CT scans suggested infection of the adrenal glands in all 3 cases.  All 3 patients had very high levels of ACTH= AdrenalCorticoTrophic Hormone suggestive of adrenal insufficiency ¹. The condition of the 3 patients improved following treatment with steroids and antifungal drugs ¹.

INDOOR MOLD EXPOSURE AND PITUITARY, THYROID, AND ADRENAL GLAND FAILURE.  Dennis and coworkers reported on a group of 79 patients with documented heavy indoor mold exposure, chronic fatigue, and chronic sinusitis ². Many endocrine deficiencies were noted in these patients, including low thyroid hormones in 81% (64/79 patients), ACTH deficiency was seen in 75% (59/79), and growth hormone was deficient in 51% (40/79)². Treatment with reduced indoor mold exposure, antifungal drugs, nutritional supplements and hormone replacement resulted in complete resolution of 41 out of 45 (93%) of patients ².

INDOOR MOLD EXPOSURE AND DIABETES. Several researchers have hypothesized that exposure to indoor mold is associated with damage to pancreas cells and development of type 1 diabetes.  Lieberman reported seeing 5 new type 1 diabetes cases developing in patients heavily exposed to indoor mold  in his occupational medicine practice in a single year ³.  Andrea Fabry presented detailed descriptions of 6 children who developed type 1 diabetes following heavy exposure to indoor molds and mycotoxins ⁴.Rigorous epidemiological studies are needed to determine if there is any significant association between exposure to indoor mold (or moldy foodstuffs) and development of type 1 diabetes.

Research and References:

1. de Oliveira FM, Fragoso M, Meneses AF, et al. ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY CAUSED BY PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS: THREE CASE REPORTS AND REVIEW. AACE clinical case reports. 2019;5(4):e238-e243.

2. Dennis D, Robertson D, Curtis L, Black J. Fungal exposure endocrinopathy in sinusitis with growth hormone deficiency: Dennis-Robertson syndrome. Toxicol Ind Health. 2009;25(9-10):669-680.

3. Curtis L, Lieberman AD, Rea W, Stark M, Vetter M. Adverse human health effects ofindoor molds. Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. 2004;14(3):261-274.

4. A. Fabry. Type 1 Diabetes and Toxic Mold-Available online at http://it-takes-time.com/2016/09/19/type-1-diabetes-and-toxic-mold/. 2016.