Why do some people become chronically ill following an exposure to toxic mold, while others recover quickly?

A staggering 25 percent of the population is genetically wired to have a tough time ridding itself of the deadly microbes associated with water-damaged buildings. For this group of individuals, the invading pathogens are not "tagged" and cleared by the body. Instead, they run freely. The body is then left to deal with the attackers in any way it can—which leads to inflammation, so often at the root of chronic conditions.

Testing can be performed that will answer this question of genetic susceptibility. The test is a blood test and is available through LabCorp, and it can be ordered by any physician. It's listed on the downloadable Physician's Order Sheet found on the Surviving Mold website, appearing as follows:

Test: HLA DR by PCR
Lab to Use: LabCorp
Spec: Lavender, room temp
Code #: 167120
DX Codes: 279.10, 377.34, 279.8
CPT Code: 81375

Interpreting the test results is complicated, but not impossible. The Rosetta Stone, developed by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, offers a summary of the various susceptible genetic types, with directions for interpretation. Dr. Eric Gordon describes the process in his overview of Dr. Shoemaker's work, titled Biotoxins, Innate Immune Response, and Lyme. Click here for his excerpted summary.