Complete Guide To IgG and IgE Antibody Test

Section 1: Introduction to IgG and IgE

Your MyMycoLab report shows two different antibody types: IgG and IgE.
They both tell you something different about how your immune system is interacting with mold toxins.

IgG (Immunoglobulin G): “The History Book”
- IgG is your body’s record of past or ongoing exposure.
- High IgG means your immune system has seen that toxin multiple times and has built up “memory” antibodies.
- Think of IgG as evidence of exposure or burden over time, even if you don’t feel an immediate reaction.
- Clinically, IgG elevations often point to chronic exposure or toxins stored in tissues.
IgE (Immunoglobulin E): “The Fire Alarm”
- IgE is your immediate hypersensitivity response.
- High IgE means your immune system sees the toxin as a direct threat and is mounting a fast, allergy-like reaction.
- This is the antibody type that triggers histamine release, mast cell activation, inflammation, rashes, or asthma-like symptoms.
- Clinically, IgE elevations often point to acute, symptomatic reactivity — what your body is struggling with right now.

👉 Together, IgG and IgE tell the story of both chronic body burden and current immune reactivity.

Section 2: Making Sense of the Quadrants

On your MyMycoLab chart, antibody results are often shown in four quadrants (or bands of severity). Each level represents how strongly your immune system is responding to a toxin.

Here’s how to interpret them:

Quadrant 1 – Mild/Low
- Just above baseline.
- Indicates some exposure, but your immune system isn’t highly concerned.
- Could reflect old exposures or early warning signs.
Quadrant 2 – Moderate
- Clear sign your body is recognizing and reacting to the toxin.
- Usually means active or recent exposure.
- This is the level where people often start noticing mild symptoms (fatigue, allergies, mild gut upset).
Quadrant 3 – Strong
- Immune system is highly reactive.
- Suggests significant exposure or that the toxin is causing real tissue stress (inflammation, organ strain, neurological impact).
- Often associated with noticeable daily symptoms (brain fog, joint pain, gut issues, sleep disruption).
Quadrant 4 – Severe/Very High
- Immune system is in overdrive.
- Indicates either very high toxin exposure or that the toxin has broken through critical defenses (blood-brain barrier, gut lining, red blood cells, etc.).
- At this level, symptoms often mimic chronic illnesses (autoimmune, MS-like, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, mast cell activation).
- The higher the bar here, the more urgent it is to identify exposure sources and bind/remove the toxin.

👉 In plain terms:

IgG tells you if it’s been around awhile.
IgE tells you if it’s hurting you right now.
Quadrants tell you how big the problem is.

Section 3: Meet the Toxins – What They Do in Your Body

Here’s a breakdown of the major mycotoxins tested in your MyMycoLab report, and the areas of the body they tend to attack.

Trichothecenes (Satratoxin, Verrucarin, T-2, Vomitoxin/DON)

Target Organs/Systems: Brain, gut lining, immune cells.
Mechanism: Block protein synthesis, leading to cell death and inflammation.
Symptoms: Headaches, gut pain, nausea, neurological issues, fatigue, skin rashes.
Special Note: Macrocyclic trichothecenes (like Satratoxin) are among the most toxic — even tiny exposures can cause neurological injury.

Ochratoxin A & B

Target Organs/Systems: Kidneys (primary), immune system, nervous system.
Mechanism: Damages kidney tubules, increases oxidative stress, suppresses immunity.
Symptoms: Kidney strain, frequent urination, brain fog, neuropathy, immune suppression.
Special Note: Known as a “kidney toxin,” but also implicated in neurodegeneration (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s links in research).

Aflatoxin / Sterigmatocystin (Aspergillus toxins)

Target Organs/Systems: Liver (primary), DNA (carcinogenic).
Mechanism: Creates DNA adducts, oxidative stress, liver cell damage.
Symptoms: Liver inflammation, nausea, jaundice, poor detox tolerance, increased cancer risk.
Special Note: Aflatoxin is one of the most studied and deadly mycotoxins — regulated in food worldwide.

Zearalenone (ZEA)

Target Organs/Systems: Hormone/endocrine system, reproductive organs.
Mechanism: Mimics estrogen, binding to estrogen receptors.
Symptoms: Hormone imbalance, irregular cycles, PMS, infertility, estrogen-dominant symptoms (weight gain, mood swings).
Special Note: Often explains why women with mold illness feel like their hormones are “broken.”

Fumonisin B₁

Target Organs/Systems: Liver, nervous system, cardiovascular system.
Mechanism: Disrupts sphingolipid metabolism (important for cell membranes and nerve function).
Symptoms: Liver inflammation, vascular damage, neurological problems, higher cancer risk.
Special Note: Has been linked to esophageal cancer in high-exposure regions.

Gliotoxin (Aspergillus)

Target Organs/Systems: Brain, immune system, mitochondria.
Mechanism: Suppresses immune cells, induces oxidative stress, penetrates blood-brain barrier.
Symptoms: MS-like symptoms (weakness, neuropathy), crushing fatigue, anxiety/depression, frequent infections.
Special Note: Works synergistically with other Aspergillus toxins — especially when barriers (like the BBB) are compromised.

Mycophenolic Acid (Penicillium)

Target Organs/Systems: Immune system, gut lining.
Mechanism: Blocks white blood cell replication (it’s actually used as an immunosuppressant drug).
Symptoms: Gut pain, chronic infections, poor healing, extreme fatigue.
Special Note: Can open the door for other toxins by shutting down your immune surveillance.

Aspergillus Hemolysin (Protein Toxin)

Target Organs/Systems: Blood, blood-brain barrier.
Mechanism: Breaks down red blood cells, weakens barrier defenses.
Symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, brain fog, vascular inflammation.
Special Note: By weakening the blood-brain barrier, it makes it easier for gliotoxin to enter and damage the brain.

Cladosporium HSP70 (Protein Toxin)

Target Organs/Systems: Immune system (triggers autoimmunity-like response).
Mechanism: Heat-shock protein mimic — confuses immune system, triggering inflammation.
Symptoms: Autoimmune flares, fatigue, inflammatory pain.
Special Note: Often misdiagnosed as autoimmune disease progression.

Alternariol (Alternaria)

Target Organs/Systems: Endocrine and DNA.
Mechanism: Acts like estrogen, damages DNA, oxidative stress.
Symptoms: Hormone imbalance, cancer risk, reproductive issues.
Special Note: Less common indoors but still significant, especially in food exposures.

Section 4: When Toxins Work Together

Mycotoxins rarely act alone. When two or more are elevated on your antibody report, they can interact, making your symptoms worse or more complex. Here are some of the better-studied (and clinically observed) correlations:

Hemolysin + Gliotoxin → Brain & Neurological Damage

Hemolysin breaks down red blood cells and weakens the blood-brain barrier.
This opens the door for Gliotoxin to cross into the brain.
Result: MS-like symptoms (weakness, neuropathy, tremors), migraines, seizures, severe brain fog.
Why it matters: If both are high on your report, neurological symptoms often worsen dramatically.

Gliotoxin + Mycophenolic Acid → Immune Collapse

Gliotoxin suppresses T-cells and oxidative balance.
Mycophenolic acid directly shuts down white blood cell replication (it’s used as an anti-rejection drug).
Result: Chronic infections, viral reactivations (EBV, CMV), extreme fatigue, autoimmune flares.
Why it matters: This combo often explains “why you can’t fight off even mild infections.”

Zearalenone (ZEA) + Ochratoxin A → Hormones + Kidneys

ZEA acts like estrogen, disrupting reproductive and thyroid balance.
Ochratoxin A damages kidneys and nervous system.
Result: Hormonal chaos + water retention, infertility, heavy cycles, mood swings, kidney stress.
Why it matters: When both show high, endocrine + detox pathways are both compromised.

Aflatoxin + Fumonisin → Liver Overload

Aflatoxin attacks the liver directly, causing DNA damage and cancer risk.
Fumonisin disrupts liver lipid metabolism and also stresses nerves.
Result: Liver inflammation, chemical sensitivity, poor drug/supplement tolerance, neurological pain.
Why it matters: If both show up, you need aggressive liver support alongside binders.

Trichothecenes (T-2, Satratoxin, Verrucarin, DON) + Any Other Toxin → “Amplifier Effect”

Trichothecenes shut down protein synthesis and kill immune cells.
This makes the body more vulnerable to all other mycotoxins.
Result: Everything feels worse — joint pain, gut damage, infections, brain fog.
Why it matters: Even if trichothecene levels are “moderate,” they can magnify damage from other toxins.

Alternariol + Zearalenone → Hormonal Firestorm

Both mimic estrogen and damage DNA.
Result: PCOS-like symptoms, infertility, breast tenderness, estrogen-driven cancers (risk).
Why it matters: Women often feel this combo first in their cycles and moods; men may see testosterone suppression.

Takeaway

When you read your antibody results:

Look for pairs. Two toxins together often explain why your symptoms are worse than expected.
Think in systems. For example:
- Brain: Hemolysin + Gliotoxin
- Hormones: ZEA + Alternariol
- Liver: Aflatoxin + Fumonisin
- Immune system: Gliotoxin + Mycophenolic Acid
Target detox accordingly. Matching the right binder and support (liver, kidneys, gut, brain) helps break the synergy and speed recovery.

Section 5: Conditions in Disguise – When Mycotoxins Mimic Other Illnesses

One of the reasons mold illness is so often missed is because mycotoxins imitate other diseases. They don’t present in one neat box — they strike the brain, gut, hormones, and immune system all at once. That overlap leads to misdiagnoses.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common disguises:

Neurological Mimics

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Gliotoxin and Hemolysin together can damage the nervous system, causing demyelination-like symptoms (numbness, tingling, balance issues).
Parkinson’s Disease: Tremors and rigidity can appear from chronic gliotoxin + OTA exposure affecting dopamine pathways.
Alzheimer’s/Dementia: Ochratoxin A and trichothecenes impair memory and concentration, resembling early Alzheimer’s.
Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders: Neurotoxic molds (gliotoxin, satratoxins) lower seizure thresholds.

Autoimmune & Immune Mimics

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Zearalenone and alternariol mimic estrogen, dysregulating hormones and immune balance, often blamed on “thyroid autoimmunity.”
Lupus / Rheumatoid Arthritis: Inflammatory joint pain, rashes, and ANA-positive labs can be mold-driven.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME): Mitochondrial damage from trichothecenes + gliotoxin looks identical to post-viral fatigue.
Chronic Lyme Disease: Symptoms overlap (fatigue, brain fog, neuropathy) and both can coexist — but mold is often the unaddressed piece.

Hormonal & Reproductive Mimics

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): Zearalenone’s estrogenic activity can drive irregular cycles, ovarian cysts, infertility.
Endometriosis: ZEA + Alternariol promote estrogen dominance and inflammation.
Low Testosterone in Men: ZEA suppresses androgen pathways, mimicking hypogonadism.

Gastrointestinal Mimics

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): DON and fumonisins damage the gut lining, causing alternating constipation/diarrhea, bloating.
Celiac Disease / Gluten Sensitivity: Trichothecenes (DON, T-2) blunt villi and block protein synthesis, mirroring gluten-driven villous atrophy.
Crohn’s/Ulcerative Colitis: Chronic inflammation from gliotoxin and ochratoxin may mimic IBD flares.

Cardiometabolic Mimics

Heart Failure / Arrhythmia: Fumonisins disrupt sphingolipid metabolism, leading to cardiac dysfunction.
Diabetes / Insulin Resistance: Ochratoxin A interferes with insulin signaling, creating a diabetes-like picture.
Kidney Disease: OTA accumulates in kidneys, leading to “unexplained CKD.”

Generalized Conditions

Fibromyalgia: Widespread pain + fatigue often track with gliotoxin + ZEA exposure.
Depression/Anxiety: Neurotoxic molds disrupt serotonin/dopamine, mimicking psychiatric illness.
Allergies/Asthma: IgE against mold proteins (Cladosporium, Aspergillus hemolysin) can masquerade as “seasonal allergies” or asthma.

Bottom Line for Patients & Providers

If you have a diagnosis that feels off or hasn’t responded to treatment, check for mycotoxins.
Antibody testing helps identify which toxins you’ve been exposed to and guides targeted binder use.
Recognizing mimicry can prevent years of misdiagnosis and get you on the path to faster recovery.

SOURCES:

1. Antibodies: IgG vs IgE

IgG as “history” / past exposure
- General immunology references: Abbas, A.K., Lichtman, A.H., & Pillai, S. Cellular and Molecular Immunology (10th ed., 2022).
- Role of IgG in mycotoxin and mold exposure: Eduard, W. Fungal spores: a critical review of the toxicological and epidemiological evidence as a basis for occupational exposure limit setting. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2009;212(2):89–97.
IgE as “fire alarm” / immediate hypersensitivity
- Immunology basics: Janeway, C.A. et al. Immunobiology (9th ed., 2017).
- Mold allergy/IgE: Portnoy, J.M. et al. Environmental assessment and exposure control of fungi in homes: A Practice Parameter. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2012;109(6):465–487.

2. Quadrant Interpretation (severity bands)

The quadrant or “band” system is specific to certain private labs (like MyMycoLab/RealTime Labs, etc.).
Peer-reviewed sources don’t describe “Quadrant 1–4” as a standard, but clinical immunology references do support the concept of graded immune response correlating with exposure severity (Abbas & Lichtman, Cellular and Molecular Immunology).

3. Mycotoxin Targets, Mechanisms, and Symptoms

Each toxin section in your guide aligns with findings from toxicology research:

Trichothecenes (e.g., Satratoxin, T-2, DON):
- Pestka, J.J. Deoxynivalenol: mechanisms of action, human exposure, and toxicological relevance. Arch Toxicol. 2010;84(9):663–679.
- Sudakin, D.L. Trichothecenes in the environment: relevance to human health. Toxicol Lett. 2003;143(2):97–107.
Ochratoxin A (OTA):
- Malir, F. et al. Ochratoxin A: 25 years of research. Toxins (Basel). 2016;8(7):191.
Aflatoxin:
- Kensler, T.W. et al. Aflatoxin: a 50-year odyssey of mechanistic and translational toxicology. Toxicol Sci. 2011;120(Suppl 1):S28–S48.
Zearalenone (ZEA):
- Zinedine, A. et al. Zearalenone: occurrence in food and toxicological relevance. Nutrients. 2007;19(2):187–212.
Fumonisins:
- Riley, R.T., Merrill, A.H. Ceramide synthase inhibition by fumonisins: a perfect storm of perturbed sphingolipid metabolism, signaling, and disease. J Lipid Res. 2019;60(7):1183–1189.
Gliotoxin:
- Schlam, D. et al. Gliotoxin – a fungal virulence factor with immunosuppressive activity. Front Immunol. 2016;7:420.
Mycophenolic Acid:
- Allison, A.C., Eugui, E.M. Mycophenolate mofetil and its mechanisms of action. Immunopharmacology. 2000;47(2-3):85–118.
Aspergillus Hemolysin & Cladosporium HSP70 (protein toxins):
- Less well documented in major toxicology reviews, but individual papers describe hemolytic and immunogenic effects of mold proteins.
Alternariol:
- Solhaug, A. et al. Alternariol induces DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in mammalian cells. Toxicol Lett. 2016;240(2):138–151.

4. Synergy & Co-Exposure

Combined effects of multiple mycotoxins:
- Speijers, G.J., Speijers, M.H. Combined toxic effects of mycotoxins. Toxicol Lett. 2004;153(1):91–98.

5. Mimicry of Chronic Illness

Mold/mycotoxin exposure overlaps with neurological, autoimmune, and endocrine disorders:
- Straus, D.C. Molds, mycotoxins, and sick building syndrome. Toxicol Ind Health. 2004;20(6-10):113–124.
- Gray, M.R. et al. Sick building syndrome and associated illnesses. Adv Appl Microbiol. 2003;52:81–109.