Frequently Asked Questions

If you or a patient has had a TOXDetect Profile and/or a Glyphosate Test run and found moderate-high levels of any compounds, there are things you can do to help your body eliminate the toxins and to prevent future exposures. The first steps to reducing the amount of toxins presently in the body are to switch to eating only organic food and drinking water that has common toxins, including pesticides filtered out. Most conventional food crops are exposed to larger and larger doses of pesticides and herbicides, and by switching to organic you will prevent exposure to hundreds of these toxicants. Many of these chemicals have also contaminated our water supplies. Installing a high-quality water filtration system in the home that eliminates them is important to do and there are several options available.  

The next step to avoiding future exposures is to change the products you use on a daily basis – from food and beverage containers to beauty and cleaning products. Instead of using plastic water bottles and food containers, switch to glass or metal. Never microwave food in plastic or Styrofoam containers and do not drink hot beverages from plastic or Styrofoam cups. Make sure your shampoo, soaps, lotions, and other beauty products are free of phthalates. Use cleaning products made from natural ingredients or make your own at home.  

To eliminate toxins from the body, we highly recommend exercise and the use of saunas, especially infrared sauna therapy to rid many chemicals through sweat. Infrared sauna is superior to conventional sauna because it reaches deeper into the body, increasing the circulation in the blood vessels, and causing the body to start to releasing many of the chemicals stored in body fat.  

There are two supplements that are particularly useful in helping the body detoxify. The first is glutathione, or its precursor N-acetyl cysteine. Glutathione is one of the most common molecules used by the body to eliminate toxic chemicals. If you are constantly exposed to toxicants your stores of glutathione could be depleted. The second supplement is vitamin B3 (niacin). Some may not enjoy the flushing that can happen when taking niacin, however, this flushing is from the blood vessels dilating, which is useful in the detoxification process.  If sensitive to the flushing, start with the lowest recommended dose and work up from there.

Several substances measured by the TOXDetect Profile may come from various sources of exposure. The panel cannot determine the specific origin of the toxicant, but it can provide information on the most common sources. By collaborating with your healthcare provider, you can investigate and eliminate potential sources of exposure. 

Glyphosate is a standalone test or an optional add-on to other urine tests such as the TOXDetect Profile, MycoTOX, and Organic Acids Test.

Patients with high toxic levels are at greater risk of concomitant exposure from all toxins. For patients with specific exposure history, practitioners can order individual panels or combine profiles to identify or more rapidly reduce or remove multiple sources of toxin exposure:

These test can all be done from one urine sample:

• Glyphosate
• TOXDetect Profile
• Heavy Metals
• MycoTOX

VOCs are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air and can originate from various sources both indoors like household and beauty products, building materials, and cigarette smoke, as well as outdoors like vehicle emissions, industrial processes, construction activities, agriculture from pesticides, gasoline vapors, and from VOC containing paints, coatings, and sealants. Their impact on human health may include respiratory irritation, headaches, and dizziness, with some VOCs being carcinogenic and harmful to the nervous system. Certain VOCs have been linked to reproductive and developmental issues.

Phthalates are a series of widely used chemicals found in most products that have contact with plastics during production, packaging, or delivery.  These plasticizers which make plastic more flexible, and durable are associated with a number of health problems including reproductive, neurological, respiratory, and increased risk of certain types of cancer.(16,17,18)  Most significantly they are known as endocrine disruptors.(15)   Phthalates are referred to as “the everywhere chemical” due to the fact they are used in hundreds of products, including toys, food packaging, shampoo, vinyl flooring, and more.

You can effortlessly access this data by logging into your portal and looking for
the “awaiting patient action” status at your convenience. Additionally, you’ll
receive a weekly email to stay informed about patient orders awaiting patient
actions.

Our cancellation policy is designed to provide flexibility as
changes occur. View our cancellation policy or contact customer support for details.

After you’ve placed a patient’s order, they will receive a confirmation email from MyLabOrders@MosaicDX.com.

If the patient is paying for their own lab, this email will contain instructions and a link to submit their address and test payment. Additionally, courtesy reminders will be sent to the patient if a certain amount of time has passed without their confirmation to avoid
cancellation.

•Organic acidic products of cellular metabolism that are excreted in urine (in mammals)

oProduced by living organisms including humans, bacteria, and fungi

oEvaluation of these downstream products of metabolic pathways provides insight into potential nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, toxicity, and other imbalances that could be contributing to clinical complaints

•Origins of Organic Acid Testing

oTo rule out rare Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM)- usually in infancy

oElevations of these organic acids (OA) reflect dysfunction in specific metabolic pathways

§Accumulation of these toxic metabolites can by life-threatening

§Symptoms observed in the newborn period include poor feeding and weight gain; nausea and vomiting; neuromuscular issues (e.g., poor tone, seizures); and susceptibility to infection

•Use of OAs have evolved from investigating IEM to providing insight into functional metabolic imbalances.

Keep track of your patients’ lab samples with our live sample status tracking feature within your MosaicDX portal, ensuring efficient communication and planning for their follow-up appointments.

This step-by-step instructional video will demonstrate how you can easily search and filter your patients pending and completed results.  

Qualified healthcare providers can create an account seamlessly through the MosaicDX portal.

Check out our How to Order section for a step-by-step guide on the account creation process, or watch our tutorial video “How to Create a Practitioner Account” for detailed instructions.

Once your account is created, our “Navigate Your Dashboard” tutorial video will also guide you through the key features of your dashboard.

Different states have regulations that define the scope of practice for practitioners. It is the practitioner’s responsibility to abide by these rules. Check with your state board of health to determine any restrictions related to laboratory testing.

Mosaic Diagnostics accepts authorization from Medical Doctors (MD), Osteopathic Doctors (DO), Chiropractors (DC), Naturopathic Doctors (ND), Doctors of Philosophy in Psychology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, and Nursing (PhD), Doctors of Oriental Medicine (DOM), Licensed Acupuncturist (Lac), Physicians Assistants (PA), Nurse Practitioners (ARNP), Nurse Midwives (CNM), Certified Nutritionists (CCN), and Registered Dietitians (RD).

Please note, Mosaic Diagnostics does not offer testing in New York.

MosaicDX offers a more comprehensive measurement of total IgG antibodies to different food-based antigens and Candida, in contrast to many laboratories that only measure IgG4 molecules. IgG4 antibodies account for less than 6% of the total IgG antibodies, and testing for only IgG4 antibodies limits the clinician’s ability to identify foods that could cause significant clinical reactions in their patients.

The objective of IgG-mediated food allergy testing is to identify foods that can trigger multiple adverse reactions. IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 antibodies can cause inflammation by creating large immune complexes or lattices that activate complement proteins. On the other hand, IgG4 antibodies to food antigens usually do not activate complement and therefore do not typically cause inflammation.

In an article by Kemeny et al., they emphasized the importance of measuring all subtypes of IgG antibodies. Their research found that patients with celiac disease had elevated IgG1 antibodies to gluten, but none had elevated IgG4 antibodies to gluten. However, elevated levels of IgG4 antibodies still indicate the presence of immune reactions against food antigens.

Check your test statuses, locate results and view your account information directly through your MosaicDX account. You can also watch this step-by-step video tutorial to learn how to navigating these key features within your patient portal.  

To help you fully understand your test results, MosaicDX test reports translates complex data into easy-to-understand clinical insights. We strongly recommend discussing the results with your practitioner to ensure you have a clear understanding and any necessary next steps.

The ordering process for MosaicDX tests starts with your healthcare practitioner assessing your symptoms and recommending the most appropriate test.

Once a test has been recommended, collection kits can be conveniently ordered and delivered straight to your doorstep. If you already have a collection kit, you can register your test and begin the process at your convenience.

It is important to carefully follow the collection instructions and include all required information about yourself and your specimens when registering your test. When your specimens are collected, you can use the prepaid shipping materials provided in your kit to ship them to MosaicDX. Your results will be accessible online via the MosaicDX portal. We recommend scheduling an appointment with your healthcare practitioner to discuss your results and develop a plan for your healthcare

If you are located outside of the U.S., our customer service team can assist you in finding a distributor in your country. In countries where a distributor is not required, you can place an order through our international patient ordering site. Please note that all international shipping costs must be paid prior to shipping the kit.  

To securely register your MosaicDX test kit, you can scan the QR code located inside the kit or visit www.MosaicDX.com/register.

After collecting your sample, refer to the shipping instruction card for the next steps and use the prepaid label to return the kit hassle-free. If you need additional guidance, you can watch a tutorial video on registering your MosaicDX kit on our website.

Individuals with high levels of homocysteine in their blood have been found to have an increased risk of hip fracture, particularly among men. The risk for hip fracture was almost four times higher in men and 1.9 times higher in women in the highest quartile of serum homocysteine levels compared to those in the lowest quartile. One potential explanation for this association is that homocysteine may disrupt the formation of cross-links in collagen, which could contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Interestingly, this relationship between homocysteine levels and fracture risk appeared to be independent of other factors that are known to contribute to fracture risk, including bone mineral density.

The 2000-2004 NHANES provided the most recent data on the Vitamin D nutritional status of the U.S. population. Approximately 9 percent of the pediatric population, representing 7.6 million U.S. children and adolescents, were 25(OH)D deficient and 61 percent, representing 50.8 million U.S. children and adolescents, were 25(OH)D insufficient. Generally, younger people had higher Vitamin D levels than older people, males had higher levels than females, and non-Hispanic whites had higher levels than Mexican Americans, who in turn had higher levels than non-Hispanic blacks. Depending on the population group, 1-9 percent had levels <11 ng/mL , 8-36 percent had levels <20 ng/mL, and the majority (50-78 percent) had levels <30 ng/mL.

The Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) is a nuclear hormone receptor that is activated by the active form of Vitamin D, calcitrol. VDR is expressed by most cells in every organ of the body. More than 2,000 genes are regulated by VDR activation.

The primary role of Vitamin D is to regulate blood levels of calcium and phosphorus by promoting absorption in the intestines and reabsorption in kidneys. Calcium and phosphorus levels are important for bone mineralization and growth as well as for the prevention of hypocalcemic tetany. Vitamin D is also an important immune regulator. It promotes phagocytosis, anti-tumor activity, and immunomodulary functions that play a role in autoimmune disease.

A study of 521 subjects over the age of 65 who were not depressed at the beginning, found that low levels of folate and vitamin B12 and high levels of homocysteine were associated with a higher risk of developing depression during a follow-up period of two to three years. There are various ways in which elevated homocysteine may be linked to the underlying biological causes of psychiatric disorders. Homocysteine has been shown to interact with NMDA receptors, cause oxidative stress, induce apoptosis, lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, and cause vascular damage. Elevated levels of homocysteine may also contribute to cognitive impairment, which is often observed in patients with affective disorders and schizophrenia. Supplementation with B vitamins and folic acid has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing homocysteine levels. The addition of L-methylfolate, in doses ranging from 7.5 to 15 mg per day, to antidepressant therapy at the beginning of treatment was found to be more effective than antidepressant therapy alone in alleviating depressive symptoms. Moreover, clinical depression evaluation scores indicated major symptom improvement within 60 days of adding L-methylfolate to antidepressant therapy, and it was better tolerated than SSRI/SNRI monotherapy.

When there is a deficiency of folate, uracil replaces thymine in DNA, which may lead to DNA strand breaks and hypomethylation within the hepatic p53 tumor suppressor gene, thereby increasing the risk of cancer. Studies have revealed that patients suffering from ovarian, pancreatic, colorectal, head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia have higher levels of homocysteine. Moreover, rapid proliferating tumor cell lines exhibited an increase in homocysteine levels, whereas plasma homocysteine levels declined when tumor cells began to die.

VDR: (the vitamin D receptor) is a nuclear receptor protein that binds 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D to activate a signaling molecule that is believed to have important roles in a 3rd of the human genome. Some functions that are known are xenobiotic detoxification.

BHMT: (betaine-homocysteine methylatransferase) is a transferase enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from betaine to homocysteine, which produces methionine. Other enzymatic roles for BHMT is the choline oxidation processes. This enzyme is found in the liver and kidney.

COMT: (catechol-O-methyltransferase) functions in the nerve cells, liver, kidneys, and red blood cells. Its role is to help inactivate 2- and 4-hydroxyestradiols, and catecholamine hormones prior to excretion of bile. COMT is also found in the CNS where its role is the degradation of catecholamine neurotransmitters.

MAO A: (monoamine oxidase type A) its main role is to detoxify biological and xenobiotic amines. This enzyme also degrades neurotransmitters in both the central and peripheral nervous system.

AHCY: (adenosylhomocysteinase) an enzyme that breaks down methionine by converting S-adenosylhomocysteinase into homocysteine. This reaction regulates the methylation of other compounds.

CBS: (cystathionine beta-synthase) this enzyme is responsible for using vitamin B6 to convert serine and homocysteine into cystothionine which will be later converted into cysteine.

MTHFR: (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) enzyme responsible for the conversion of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. This reaction allows for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine.

MTR: (methionine synthase) enzyme that catalyzes the re-methylation of homocysteine to methionine using the methyl-B-12 as a cofactor.

MTRR: (methionine synthase reductase) responsible for the regeneration of methyl-B-12.

SHMT: (serine hydroxymethyltransferase) responsible for catalyzing the interconversion of glycine to serine.

SUOX: (sulfite oxidase) mitochondrial enzyme responsible for oxidizing sulfites to sulfates. Sulfites are produced by the transsulfuration cycle or from diet.

IgG is the major antibody found in serum. IgGs are composed of two fragment antigen binding (Fab) regions that contain the antigen binding sites and the Fc region, which is responsible for most of the biologic activity of the antibodies (Figure 1). An antigen is a substance that causes the immune system to produce an antibody that specifically reacts with it. IgG-mediated reactions to food antigens may be delayed by several hours or days, whereas IgE food antibody reactions are quite immediate.

Human IgG is separated into four subclasses denoted IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4. Each subclass varies in abundance and biological function. IgG1 and IgG3 are predominantly responsible for antibody protection against reinfection. IgG2 antibodies are opsonic (marking a pathogen for ingestion and destruction) and develop in response to carbohydrate polysaccharide antigens. IgG4 molecules function as skin-sensitizing immunoglobulins and are thought to block antibodies produced in response to chronic exposure to antigens.

The clinical significance of IgG food testing was illustrated in an early article published by an otolaryngologist who reported that the majority of his patients had substantial health improvements after eliminating foods found positive by IgG food allergy testing. The study demonstrated a 71% success rate for all symptoms, achieving at least a 75% relief. Of particular interest was the group of patients with chronic, disabling symptoms, unresponsive to other intensive treatments. Symptoms most commonly improved (75%-100%) on the elimination diets included asthma, coughing, ringing in the ears, chronic fatigue, headaches, gas, bloating, diarrhea, skin rash and itching, and nasal congestion. The most common IgG food allergies were to cow’s milk, garlic, mustard, egg yolk, tea, and chocolate. A recent study reported that 93% of non-celiac, gluten-sensitive patients showed anti-gliadin IgG antibody disappearance after a six-month adherence to a gluten-free diet. The IgG disappearance was closely related to a significant improvement of both gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms. High IgG antibody levels have frequently been found in children with diabetes mellitus, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and in those considered to be obese. IgG food test results are often used to develop food antibody-guided exclusion/ elimination diets. The implementation of such diets has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with nonceliac gluten sensitivity and food sensitivity-induced atopic conditions, reduce the frequency of migraine headaches, decrease the occurrence of diarrhea, decrease failure–to-thrive among children with cystic fibrosis, reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, improve rectal compliance, decrease stool frequency in Crohn’s disease, prevent seizures and hyperkinetic behavior in children with epilepsy, and ameliorate kidney function in glomerulonephritis. Food elimination diets also hold promise for the improvement of behaviors associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

• Flax seed oil as source of ALA from which EPA and DHA are synthesized
• Fish oil or cod liver oil as direct sources of EPA and DHA
• Evening primrose oil, borage oil or black currant oil as source of GLA if insufficiently synthesized
• Hemp oil as source of both ALA and GLA

• Lowers LDL and increases HDL cholesterol; decreases blood clotting time
• Anti-arrhythmic, anti-inflammatory effect that benefits heart tissue
• Structural in brain and retinal tissue; improves learning and memory
• Critical in fetal and infant development
• Improves hyperactivity in children and depression in adults
• Treatment for autoimmune disorders, kidney disease, PMS, RA, MS
• Improves skin integrity

Patients with high toxic levels are at greater risk of concomitant exposure from all toxins. For patients with specific exposure history, practitioners can order individual panels or combine profiles to identify or more rapidly reduce or remove multiple sources of toxin exposure:

These test can all be done from one urine sample:

• Glyphosate
• TOXDetect Profile
• Heavy Metals
• MycoTOX

The following tests provide valuable insight into metabolism, nutrient needs, food sensitivities and metal toxicity.

• IgG Food Map with Candida + Yeast
• Heavy Metals Hair
• Organic Acids Test

Stress can manifest in various forms, including mental, physiological, and environmental stressors, and can trigger a physiological response in the body. The body’s ability to cope with daily stress is influenced by various factors that can tax its systems, such as allergies, environmental pollutants, infections, sleep deprivation, and mental illness. When confronted with physical or emotional stress, the adrenal glands release cortisol and DHEA, which can be beneficial in handling immediate challenges. However, prolonged exposure to a constant “fight or flight” response can accelerate aging and lead to health problems. In today’s fast-paced world, people often have little time to allow their bodies to recover from stress, which can result in chronic stress. Chronic stress can have a negative impact on cardiovascular health, reproduction, mental health, anxiety, immune function, blood sugar stability, and increase the risk of cancer.

Testosterone is the main sex hormone in males and is secreted in intermittent bursts throughout the day. As an anabolic hormone, it plays a vital role in both male and female physiology. Adequate levels of testosterone are crucial for maintaining healthy bones, robust muscle strength, endurance, sexual desire and performance, cardiovascular health, and mental acuity.

The Organic Acids Test by Mosaic Diagnostics evaluates levels of oxalates in urine. Oxalate (and its acid form, oxalic acid), is an organic acid that is primarily derived from three sources: the diet, fungus (such as Aspergillus and Penicillium), possibly Candida, and also human metabolism. Oxalic acid is the most acidic organic acid in body fluids and is used commercially to remove rust from car radiators. Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is toxic primarily because it is converted to oxalate in the body. Two different types of genetic diseases are known in which oxalates are high in the urine, hyperoxalurias type I and type II, which can also be determined from the Organic Acids Test. 

Foods especially high in oxalates are often foods thought to be otherwise healthy, including spinach, beets, chocolate, peanuts, wheat bran, tea, cashews, pecans, almonds, berries, and many others. People now frequently consume “green smoothies” in an effort to eat “clean” and get healthy, however, they may actually be sabotaging their health. The most common components of green smoothies are spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and arugula, all of which are loaded with oxalates. These smoothies also often contain berries or almonds, which have high amounts of oxalates as well. Oxalates are not found in meat or fish at significant concentrations. Daily adult oxalate intake is usually 80-120 mg/d. A single green smoothie with two cups of spinach contains about 1,500 mg of oxalate, a potentially lethal dose. 

High Oxalate Food List

External sources of oxalates include ethylene glycol, the main component of antifreeze. Antifreeze is toxic mainly because of the oxalates formed from it. In addition, some foods also contain small amounts of ethylene glycol. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid or ascorbate) can be converted to oxalates but the biochemical conversion system is saturated at low levels of vitamin C so that no additional oxalate is formed until very large doses (greater than 4 g per day) are consumed. The high correlation between arabinose and oxalates indicate that intestinal yeast/fungal overgrowth is likely the main cause for elevated oxalates in the autistic spectrum population. The deposition of oxalates in critical tissues such as brain and blood vessels, the oxidative damage caused by oxalate salts, and the deposition of oxalate mercury complexes in the tissues.

As females transition into adulthood, their bodies undergo hormonal changes that initiate the onset of menstruation. The menstrual cycle consists of two distinct phases – the first phase, which occurs before ovulation, is characterized by a dominance of estrogen, while the second phase, which occurs after ovulation, is characterized by a dominance of progesterone. These monthly fluctuations between estrogen and progesterone are essential for maintaining a woman’s well-being. In men, a correlation has been observed between elevated levels of estrogen and decreased levels of testosterone, which may increase the risk of prostate issues.

Stool samples should be shipped only on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays. It is important to collect samples on two separate days, with a minimum gap of 12 hours between collections using yellow-topped vials. All four stool specimens should be shipped together within five days of the first collection. 

Treatment is different for mold IgE allergy vs. mycotoxin toxic burden responses, identifying the type of response aids in treatment decision-making.

The IgE Mold Allergy Test is a serum profile that provides insight into the presence of mold allergens, while the MycoTOX Profile is a urine assay that assesses the levels of mycotoxins – low molecular weight, secondary metabolites of molds – excreted from the body.

These complementary profiles each provide a unique lens to assess potential mold-related illness in symptomatic individuals or those with known mold exposure and treatment.

• Patients who do not have mold IgE allergies may still have mycotoxin burden.
• Patients with positive mold IgE test results are more likely to have been exposed to mycotoxins.
• IgE levels may indicate reactivity to mold species whose mycotoxin products were not excreted at the time of the mycotoxin test or are not among the mycotoxins included in the MycoTOX Profile.

Measuring mold allergen specific IgE levels may help predict an individual’s acute immune response to molds in their environment which can range from mild to severe. MosaicDX’s IgE Mold Allergy Test assesses 13 mold allergens, including several that commonly cause symptoms.

Individuals with chronic exposure to molds may exhibit symptoms that are not a result of an acute response to the mold, but rather to their mycotoxins – toxic, secondary metabolites that are produced by molds in the environment. The MycoTOX profile is a urine-based assay that assesses levels of 21 different mycotoxins, including metabolites of the most toxigenic classes: Aflatoxins, Ochratoxins, Zearalenones, and Trichothecenes.

Because it’s possible to have an allergenic reactivity to a mold species whose mycotoxin excretion is not included in the MycoTOX profile – or for an individual to have exposure to a mycotoxin producing mold not included in the IgE Mold Allergy Test – combining both the IgE Mold Allergy and MycoTOX Profile tests can provide a more complete assessment of an individual’s mold exposure.

Serum samples have a relatively stable nature and can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 30 days and in a freezer for six months. 

Test turnaround times vary by test, with most results available 7-20 days after receipt at our lab. Keep track through your MosaicDX patient dashboard.

The immune system’s IgG response targets proteins, not lipids. Some individuals may wonder whether they can consume butter if they are sensitive to casein or soy lecithin if they are sensitive to soy. Trace amounts of the corresponding protein have been discovered during the extraction process for these components. However, the protein levels are generally low and not likely to cause issues. The majority of individuals can tolerate these trace amounts, but a few may not. For those uncommon situations, an elimination and reintroduction phase could aid in further examination. 

It can take as long as 6 months after eliminating a food from the diet for the IgG response to that specific food antigen to return to normal levels. If a person is not consuming the food, or has not done so in over 6 months, it is unlikely to trigger a significant immune response and will not appear as elevated on the test. A low reactivity to a particular food does not imply that the person can now tolerate it or that the food can be reintroduced safely. It only indicates that the person has been diligent in avoiding it. Conversely, if a person has avoided consuming a specific food and the test result shows positive, cross-contamination with structurally similar proteins in the diet is likely responsible. 

Dried Blood Spot samples have a relatively stable nature and can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 31 days and in a freezer for six months. 

Almost all organic acids used for human testing are measured by a combination of gas or liquid chromatography linked with mass spectrometry. Organic acids are most commonly analyzed in urine because they are not extensively reabsorbed in the kidney tubules after glomerular filtration. Thus, organic acids in urine are often present at 100 times their concentration in the blood serum and thus are more readily detected in urine. This is why organic acids are rarely tested in blood or serum. The number of organic acids found in urine is enormous. Over 1,000 different organic acids have been detected in urine since this kind of testing started.

Use of organic acids to provide insight into functional metabolic imbalances has evolved from historic diagnostic testing to investigate inborn errors of metabolism (IEM).

While the OAT is not designed specifically to diagnose classically defined IEMs, persistent marked elevations in OAs noted on the profile may indicate an undiagnosed underlying metabolic pathway defect. As such, further clinical investigation via an individual patient’s clinical presentation and the results of complementary laboratory tests may be warranted to guide more specific testing.

IEM are a class of inborn errors of metabolic pathways that are marked by accumulation (and usually toxic) organic acid metabolites in blood (i.e., organic acidemias) and increased excretion of organic acids in urine (i.e., organic acidurias). While individual IEMs are rare that typically become apparent clinically during the newborn period or early infancy, though milder – and even asymptomatic – forms may emerge in adolescence and adulthood.

Because of the life-threatening metabolic disturbances (acidosis and ketosis) that are associated with IEMs, an entire field of preconception and postnatal screening has arisen. Current newborn screening includes assessment of 34 core conditions which allows for early treatment intervention should a positive finding result.

The OAT or MOAT is typically not affected by antibiotics or antifungal medications, unless they contain certain fruits like apples, grapes, pears, or cranberries. However, it’s important for both the patient and practitioner to consider the purpose of the test when deciding whether to avoid these medications. For instance, if the practitioner is interested in evaluating the effectiveness of a particular therapy, it may be acceptable for the patient to continue taking the medication during the test. On the other hand, if the patient wants to determine their metabolic condition without any influence from medication, it’s advisable to discontinue the antibiotics or antifungals for a period of 1-2 weeks before the test. 

The Microbial Organic Acids Test (MOAT) is ideal for a follow-up to the OAT and is often recommended by practitioners looking for a specific abnormality, to monitor certain microbial imbalances, or to assess treatment efficacy.

The primary focus of treatment for glyphosate toxicity should be to identify the source of exposure and take steps to prevent future exposure.

Two effective ways to avoid glyphosate exposure include consuming non-GMO foods and drinking reverse osmosis water. A recent study found that individuals who consume organic foods have significantly lower levels of glyphosate in their urine. Humic acids have also been shown to be a safe way to adsorb glyphosate in the GI tract

Resource list:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/004896979290134E 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653513014987 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5296205/ 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20553181/ 

https://www.vetservis.sk/media/object/433/effects_of_humic_acid_on_animals_and_humans.pdf 

If you or a patient has had a TOXDetect Profile and/or a Glyphosate Test run and found moderate-high levels of any compounds, there are things you can do to help your body eliminate the toxins and to prevent future exposures. The first steps to reducing the amount of toxins presently in the body are to switch to eating only organic food and drinking water that has common toxins, including pesticides filtered out. Most conventional food crops are exposed to larger and larger doses of pesticides and herbicides, and by switching to organic you will prevent exposure to hundreds of these toxicants. Many of these chemicals have also contaminated our water supplies. Installing a high-quality water filtration system in the home that eliminates them is important to do and there are several options available.  

The next step to avoiding future exposures is to change the products you use on a daily basis – from food and beverage containers to beauty and cleaning products. Instead of using plastic water bottles and food containers, switch to glass or metal. Never microwave food in plastic or styrofoam containers and do not drink hot beverages from plastic or styrofoam cups. Make sure your shampoo, soaps, lotions, and other beauty products are free of phthalates. Use cleaning products made from natural ingredients or make your own at home.  

To eliminate toxins from the body, we highly recommend exercise and the use of saunas, especially infrared sauna therapy to rid many chemicals through sweat. Infrared sauna is superior to conventional sauna because it reaches deeper into the body, increasing the circulation in the blood vessels, and causing the body to start to releasing many of the chemicals stored in body fat.  

There are two supplements that are particularly useful in helping the body detoxify. The first is glutathione, or its precursor N-acetyl cysteine. Glutathione is one of the most common molecules used by the body to eliminate toxic chemicals. If you are constantly exposed to toxicants your stores of glutathione could be depleted. The second supplement is vitamin B3 (niacin). Some may not enjoy the flushing that can happen when taking niacin, however, this flushing is from the blood vessels dilating, which is useful in the detoxification process. If sensitive to the flushing, start with the lowest recommended dose and work up from there.

Yes, it is possible to conduct multiple urine tests using a single urine sample, provided that the volume requirement for each test is met. The urine collection container typically holds around 50 mL of urine. However, for timed and 24-hour urine tests, a specialized collection jug or bag is necessary. 

Different states have regulations that define the scope of practice for practitioners. It is the practitioner’s responsibility to abide by these rules. Check with your state board of health to determine any restrictions related to laboratory testing. Please note, Mosaic Diagnostics does not offer testing in New York. 

Once you have opened your account, you have the options of ordering kits to stock in your office or drop-ship kits directly to your patients through your MosaicDX portal.   

Watch our short tutorial videos on how to conveniently  

• Order kit for your inventory  
• Drop-ship a kit to your patient  
• Re-order a follow-up test for your patient.    

Already have a kit? Watch this video on how to place an order for your patient using a kit from your inventory.   

To ensure optimal results, it is recommended to ship urine specimens to the laboratory immediately after collection as they start degrading in quality soon after. In case immediate shipping is not possible, here are some guidelines for specimen stability: Urine samples can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and for extended periods in the freezer. This applies to all urine tests performed at MosaicDX, except for the Kryptopyrrole test, for which urine must be frozen immediately and received within 24 hours of collection for accurate results. 

Please refer to your test’s specific Test Preparation and Instructions for more information regarding the potential effects of medications, foods, and supplements on this test. 

You make also consult your healthcare provider prior to making any changes to your medications.

We recommend that you order no more than a 3-month supply, since some kit components may expire.

Currently, there are no established guidelines for retesting mycotoxins after intervention. However, some healthcare providers recommend retesting at 3-6 months, 12 months, and annually as part of a wellness screen. Individuals with severe mold and mycotoxin-related illnesses may require more frequent testing. 

Visit the payment information page for an overview of payment options and procedures along with insurance coverage overview.

NOTE: Insurance coverage for testing is based on several factors such as the type of procedure, diagnosis, and insurance policy guidelines. Patients are encouraged to contact their insurance company to check for coverage and to provide the procedure codes (CPT codes) and diagnostic codes (ICD-10 codes). The CPT codes can be found on the billing information page, while ICD-10 codes are provided by the practitioner.

The MycoTOX profile is designed to accurately detect mycotoxins produced by various toxic molds. However, it does not indicate the location or source of the mold, whether it is in your home, workplace, or elsewhere. Mycotoxin exposure can come from both dietary and environmental sources. Spoiled food is a dietary source, while living or working in water-damaged buildings, airborne or physical contact with outdoor molds, and airborne dust in buildings containing mold spores are environmental sources. 

As expected with the clinical standard of care, results from any diagnostic test – including those of the MycoTOX profile – should always be considered within the context of each patient’s unique history and clinical presentation. Given that, the information provided on potential therapeutic support for patients with mycotoxin exposure is provided for educational purposes only.

In general, practitioners working with patients with mold and/or mycotoxin exposure focus on three key clinical areas:

• Addressing Mycotoxin Exposure
• Supporting the Foundations of Health
• Judicious Use of Supplements and/or Pharmaceuticals

Address Mycotoxin Exposure

First-Line Remediation/Defense: Removal/Avoidance of the Offending Agent

The first line of defense against mycotoxin exposure – as with any toxin or toxicant – is identification and remediation of the source of exposure with the goal of preventive exposure strategies going forward.

Support the Foundations of Health

Focus on Critical Lifestyle and Physiologic Elimination Functions

Optimize Elimination

• Gut Function
  • Support phase 1 and 2 liver detoxification
  • Provide treatments aimed at abnormalities in gut microflora and functioning; probiotics, treating infections and avoiding food allergens.
• Hydration
  • Support elimination/excretion via the kidney
• Sweating (movement, saunas, etc.)
  • Support elimination/excretion via dermal routes

Optimize Nutrition

• Focus on a whole foods diet to maximize fiber and nutrient density

Judicious Use of Supplements and/or Pharmaceuticals

Personalization of the therapeutic journey is key as each patient’s presentation and history is unique.

Clinicians working with patients with mycotoxin exposure and/or symptoms may consider working with the following:

• Foundational support
  • Multivitamin/mineral, probiotic (acidophilus + bifidus strains), antioxidants, and essential fatty acids
• Detoxification support
  • NAC, glutathione
• Binders
• Anti-fungals
  • These pharmaceuticals should be assessed for use on a clinical case-by-case basis ONLY given challenges related to their potential, significant side-effects.

Application of the creatinine correction is a technique to reduce excessive variation in urine test results due to differences in fluid intake prior to collection of urine samples. Dividing the amount of a substance in urine by creatinine corrects for cases in which the patient may be dehydrated or excessively hydrated. In the case of dehydration, failure to perform creatinine correction might indicate that the person has toxic levels of mycotoxins when, in fact, the values are high just due to dehydration. With creatinine correction, such an error is avoided.

Our  MosaicDX Portal provides access to pricing lists for all available tests.

If you require further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our sales team at sales@mosaicdx.com.

Molds thrive in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and exposure to mold-rich environments may result in a variety of health effects ranging from mild to severe depending on an individual’s sensitivity or underlying allergy to mold.

Given their ubiquitous presence, testing should be considered in anyone with signs and/or symptoms of mold exposure – or an environmental history for a known current or past exposure to mold.

Individuals at highest risk for health problems when exposed to mold include those with:

• Underlying immune system dysfunction (history of atopy, immune suppression, or immunodeficiency)
• Underlying chronic lung disease
• Infants, young children, and the elderly
• Workers employed in jobs that result in high and ongoing levels of exposure (farm/dairy workers, lumber/wood workers, winemakers).

Test turnaround times vary by test, we provide estimates by test on the specific test page with most results available 7-20 days after receipt at our lab.

Detailed order tracking is available in the your  MosaicDX Portal.

Mosaic Diagnostics offers written interpretations within test reports and complimentary consultations with our clinical educators for qualified practitioners. To schedule a consultation, simply sign in to your MosaicDX account and book a consultation online. 

We encourage all patients to discuss results with your practitioner.

Our Resources tab also contains educational materials that you may find useful, we also offer MosaicEDGE workshops for qualified practitioners to better understand the fundamentals of lab testing.

To learn more about payment options and procedures, we recommend visiting the Payment Information page on our website. We strongly encourage patients to discuss testing costs with their healthcare provider beforehand.

Once you have registered and received your specimen collection kit, you can access your payment information via the MosaicDX patient dashboard.

Our testing process is designed to be convenient and accessible for patients. After a healthcare provider has placed an order for a test, the test kit will be shipped directly to the patient’s preferred address, along with all the necessary materials for specimen collection and submission. This means that patients do not need to visit a laboratory to initiate the testing process.

1. Visit AnyLabTest Now to find a location near you.
   1. Schedule an appointment online, call for assistance, or just show up for your lab test — no appointment necessary.
   2. Bring the following to your appointment:
      1. Payment for specimen collection and processing fee.
      2. Test collection kit
      3. Included gel pack (freeze ahead of time)
      4. Collection instructions
      5. Test Requisition Form with doctor’s signature
      6. UPS return bag (included in the test kit)
2. Alpha Phlebotomy Group offers three options
   1. In Home Collections – where the phlebotomist comes to you. Fees include per collection rates and mileage.
   2. Collection Draw Site Locations – where APG provides you with a location that is familiar with MosaicDX orders. Prices for collections vary by phlebotomist.
   3. Mobile Event Collections for Groups – Have a group of 20 blood collections? Create a blood draw corporate or wellness event. Events require a minimum of 6 draws per hour otherwise additional hourly fees may apply along with specific pricing per participant.
3. Los Angeles and Orange County Areas: Contact Mobile Phlebotomy Service
   1. They will complete the blood draw directly from your home. Call 909-985-5562 to make an appointment. Standard hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
4. Kansas City Metro Areas: Contact Test Smartly Labs.
   1. Collection hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at all four of the TSL Kansas City area locations. Call 816-800-9699 to set up your appointment.

MosaicDX offers pediatric collection bags with adhesive tape for pediatric patients who have not been toilet trained. These bags can be used to collect urine from infants or young children. To request pediatric collection bags, please contact our Customer Service team. 

Get in touch with our MosaicDX Customer Service team or easily access collection instructions via the resources section on our website.

US shipping is free, and a prepaid return label is included with all test kits. Follow the shipping instructions card located inside your sample collection kit.

For international patients, the shipping cost for test kits to and from the laboratory is the responsibility of the patient and varies by country. To estimate the expedited shipping cost for shipping specimens into the US, please visit the international shipping page for more information.  

Shipping costs must be paid in advance before the lab ships your testing kit to you. Your secure payment link will be provided in your order confirmation email.  

Alternatively, we have distributors in many countries that may offer test kits at a reduced cost. Please contact us to inquire if there is a distributor available in your country. 

Test kits should only be shipped Monday-Thursday except for the stool collections, which should be shipped no later than Wednesday.

For international shipments, we recommend shipping Mondays and Tuesdays.  

You may conveniently update your information within your MosaicDX account. View this short tutorial video on how to easily and securely update your account information.  

Chronic mycotoxin effects are characterized by lower exposure doses over longer periods of time – and symptoms attributed to chronic mycotoxin exposure are wide-ranging in their impact on an array of physiologic systems and functions.

Mycotoxins are low molecular weight, secondary metabolites of fungal (mold) compounds which are increasingly recognized as a global health threat given their role in precipitating both acute and chronic adverse health outcomes.

• Common fungi sources of mycotoxins include species such as Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, and Claviceps. To date nearly 400 potentially toxic mycotoxins produced by more than 100 fungi species have been identified, although research has focused on the most toxigenic in the public health, veterinary, and agricultural realms.
• Exposure to mycotoxins may occur through a variety of routes such as inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact from airborne mold spores, food contamination, and water-damaged building environments.
• Susceptibility to mycotoxins is influenced by a patient’s age, sex, presence of other underlying diseases and/or exposures, nutritional status, and length of exposure.
• While mycotoxin toxicity may present as an acute state marked by rapid onset with potential life-threatening illness, most of the negative health impacts observed in the developed (Western) world are due to chronic, low-dose exposures. These long-term exposures have been associated with a variety of systemic effects (mycotoxicoses) in both humans and animals – and most commonly manifest as nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, immunosuppression, carcinogenicity, and teratogenicity.

Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by certain types of molds – microscopic filamentous fungi that are pervasive in both outdoor and indoor environments. Common routes of exposure to these low-molecular weight compounds include inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion via common contaminated food sources (corn, cereals, ground and tree nuts, spices, dried fruits, apples, coffee, meat, milk, and eggs).

Attention is increasingly being given to indoor air pollution resulting not only from the influx of irritant agents (spores, pollens) from the outdoor environment, but also from the growth of molds, fungi and bacteria on almost all indoor materials (drywall, paint, wallpaper, carpeting, etc.) when excessive moisture is present in high humidity geographic areas or water-damaged buildings. The growth of these biological agents in damp environments leads to the production of spores, cells, fragments and volatile organic compounds which have been linked to a wide range of health hazards, including exacerbation of asthma as well as allergic and infectious respiratory diseases infections.

Adverse health effects may be acute or chronic in nature, and the degree of impact can vary depending on the age, sex, genetics, and underlying health status of the exposed individual, as well as the duration and dose magnitude of the offending substance and their synergistic effects with other mycotoxins.

Because mycotoxins are byproducts of mold metabolism, clinicians assessing symptomatic patients with known mold exposure – or with an environmental history concerning for mold exposure – will also need to consider the concomitant presence of mycotoxins and their potential negative health impact as well.

Together they provide necessary information about mycotoxin burden, nutritional need, mitochondrial function and detox capability in one, easy, urine sample.

Acute mycotoxin effects are characterized by rapid onset and toxic response in the target organ most affected by the offending agent.

As an example, consumption of large doses of aflatoxins can result in life-threatening, acute poisoning (aflatoxicosis) due to detrimental impact on the liver.

Acute mycotoxin effects are more frequently observed in economically poorer global areas where sub-optimal food cultivation, harvesting, and storage practices are common; malnutrition is a constant presence; and a poor regulatory environment exists.

Different samples have different expiration dates. In general, stool and blood (from blood draw) have shorter viability, and we would suggest that you collect those later than some other samples such as urine and Dried Blood Spot (DBS).

Please see list below for guidance on sample viability:

• Hair – No expiration date
• Buccal Swab for DNA Methylation – 2 months
• Saliva for Hormones Test – 2 months (frozen)
• Urine* – 30 days (frozen)
• Dried Blood Spot (DBS) – 21 days
• Stool – 5 days after day 2 collection
• Blood Draw (all types) – Ship immediately on the same day

*Urine – Porphyrins Test is viable for 14 days (frozen)

Different states have regulations that define the scope of practice for practitioners. It is the practitioner’s responsibility to abide by these rules.

Mosaic Diagnostics accepts authorization from Medical Doctors (MD), Osteopathic Doctors (DO), Chiropractors (DC), Naturopathic Doctors (ND), Doctors of Philosophy in Psychology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, and Nursing (PhD), Doctors of Oriental Medicine (DOM), Licensed Acupuncturist (Lac), Physicians Assistants (PA), Nurse Practitioners (ARNP), Nurse Midwives (CNM), Certified Nutritionists (CCN), and Registered Dietitians (RD).