Toxin Testing Explained: How to Identify & Detox Harmful Substances
Toxin Testing Explained: How to Identify & Detox Harmful Substances
Toxins are everywhere—lurking in our food, water, air, and everyday products.
Over time, these harmful substances accumulate in the body, disrupting hormones, draining energy, causing inflammation, and even contributing to weight gain.
If you’ve taken a toxin test, you might be wondering what those test results mean. Unlike a blood test, which shows only recent toxin exposure, urine tests analyze what your body is actively detoxing from deeper tissues. However, there’s something important to understand:
A toxin test is only as accurate as your detox pathways.
Toxins don’t stay in the blood for long—they get stored in your fat, bones, and tissues. The only way they show up on a test is if they’re actively moving out.
That’s why, before running this specific test, it’s critical to open your drainage pathways and start gently mobilizing toxins. Otherwise, you’re just wasting money and getting an inaccurate picture of what’s going on inside your body.
In my approach, we actually use toxin testing as a secondary step. Our primary game plan begins with a gut test. A gut microbiome test shows you:
✔️ What’s living in your gut—helpful bacteria, overgrowth bacteria, pathogenic bacteria, yeast/fungus, and parasites.
✔️ How well your digestive system is working—enzyme production, fat digestion, nutrient absorption, and inflammatory markers.
✔️ The strength of your gut barrier—whether you have leaky gut or microbial imbalances that make you more vulnerable to toxins.
✔️The state of your immune system—one of the most important factors when it comes to detoxing without making yourself more sick
With this information in hand, we curate a tailored 6-8 week detox PREP protocol to allow your stored toxins and gut pathogens to be ready to move out of the body. Moving to a full detox without this “opening” phase can actually make things worse, as you’re just swirling that toxicity around, triggering symptoms instead of clearing them, and overloading your immune system.
Additionally, this crucial first step ensures that when you do take a toxin test, it reflects more accurately the toxin load that’s actually inside you—not just the few toxins your body happened to release on test day.
Because toxins live so deeply inside your cells, you can’t even get to them until you begin to reduce your overall toxic load, which in turn allows your immune system to strengthen. A deep detox—like the one you do based on your toxin test results—requires a well-functioning gut microbiome and detox system to prevent reabsorption and avoid overwhelming your body. Heavy metals, pesticides, endocrine disruptors (EDCs), and mycotoxins don’t just exit on their own; they need an open, efficient drainage system to be safely eliminated…primarily through the bowels!
This is why rebalancing the gut before detoxing is essential. A healthy gut microbiome keeps toxins moving out through the bowel elimination process, improves immune function, supports the liver, and prevents toxic recirculation. Without this foundation, releasing deep toxins can overwhelm your system, leaving you feeling worse.
When your body feels safe—meaning your gut, liver, kidneys and immune system are functioning optimally—it’s finally able to let go of stored toxins without triggering unnecessary stress on your system. This ensures that your detox is effective, sustainable, and supports your long-term health.
Now that you understand the correct order for detoxing, let’s go over what a toxin test looks for, how to interpret the results, and what to do once you have those results.
Understanding Your Toxin Test Results
Before we go through an actual toxin test, it’s helpful to understand how a toxin test is organized, because if you have gotten a gut microbiome test with me before, the results are a bit different.
Most toxin tests categorize findings into two main levels of concern:
- High-risk toxins – These are in the highest percentile and require immediate attention.
- Moderate-risk toxins – These are elevated but not as urgent.
Each toxin will also be categorized based on its source:
- Environmental pollutants – Plastics, pesticides, herbicides, air pollution VOCs, and industrial chemicals to name a few.
- Heavy metals – Lead, mercury, arsenic, aluminum, and more.
- Mold mycotoxins – Toxins from mold exposure, often affecting the immune and nervous systems.
Understanding these categories helps determine the best detox strategies.
Now that you have a baseline understanding, watch the video below where I walk you through a real toxin test and explain how to read and interpret the results.
This client came to me feeling exhausted, mentally foggy, and frustrated with her health.
She told me she had been dealing with fatigue, brain fog, and unpredictable mood swings for years.
She had tried improving her diet, taking supplements, and even changing her workout routine—but nothing was working.
She described feeling like her body was sluggish, tired, and heavy, no matter how hard she tried to get healthy.
She told me: “It feels like something is weighing me down from the inside out. No matter how much sleep I get, I wake up exhausted. I used to feel sharp and focused at work, but now I struggle just to get through the day. If this doesn’t change, I don’t know how much longer I can keep pushing myself.”
This is exactly why we test.
Without identifying the underlying toxins in her system, she would continue guessing at solutions that don’t address the root cause—even after completing my 4-week OPEN protocol.
Now, let’s get into her toxin test results so you can see exactly what shows up and what it means.
Breaking Down Toxin Test Results
TOXINS OVERVIEW
The first set of data we get is an overview of the toxins present in the client’s body.
The “red zone” toxins are the highest ones on the test (within the 95th percentile). This client had elevated levels of:
- 2-Hydroxyisobutyric Acid (2HIB) = A volatile organic compound (VOC)
- 2,2-bis(4-Chlorophenyl) acetic acid (DDA) = A pesticide
- Bisphenol A (BPA) = An endocrine disruptor
- Aflatoxin G = A mold-related toxin
- Satratoxin = A mold-related toxin
The first three are environmental toxins (as indicated by the little factory symbol) and the last two are mold toxins (as indicated by the biohazard symbol).
The “yellow zone” toxins are the next grouping of high-level pollutants (within the 75th percentile). This particular client had:
- 5 high levels of environmental toxins (which you can see from the factory symbol)
- 2 high levels of heavy metals (indicated by the gear icon)
- 4 more mold mycotoxins (the biohazard symbol)
Then the report goes deeper into each category of the toxins present:
MOLD MYCOTOXINS
Mold toxins are often overlooked but can be a major source of chronic symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and immune dysfunction. A toxin test will reveal if mold exposure is current or historical—but again, only if those toxins are moving out of your system.
Common mold toxins include:
- Ochratoxin A – Linked to kidney damage and immune suppression.
- Aflatoxins – Highly toxic compounds that affect the liver.
- Trichothecenes (including black mold toxins) – Potent immune disruptors.
This section of the test focuses first on the “red zone” (95th percentile) and “yellow zone” (75th percentile). It gives you a deeper dive into potential exposure sources, more details of the contaminant, and some basic detox suggestions.
Further down the report you see the results of all mycotoxins tested. “Green zone” toxins indicate the toxin levels are “safe”.
If elevated levels of mold toxins are present, the next step is to identify where the exposure is coming from—your home, workplace, or even past environments where toxins were stored in your tissues.
It’s important to note that the test results cannot tell you how long ago you were exposed to these toxins (or where they come from). It could be current or it could be an exposure from years ago (even as far back as childhood!).
HEAVY METALS
Heavy metals accumulate over years and often don’t appear on a test unless they are actively mobilized. This means that someone with low or normal heavy metal levels might still have a high toxic burden—but they’re just locked away in tissues.
Several Key metals are tested including but not limited to:
- Lead – Stored in bones and can leach out over time, affecting the nervous system.
- Mercury – Common from dental fillings and seafood, impacting cognitive function.
- Arsenic – Often from contaminated water and linked to chronic disease.
- Aluminum – Found in cookware, deodorant, and processed foods, associated with neurological issues.
Some heavy metals on the test are radioactive elements: Cesium and Uranium for example.
If any elevated levels of heavy metals show up on your test, first supporting detox pathways and second proper chelating are both key to moving the metals out safely—otherwise, they can recirculate and cause more harm.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
Environmental toxins are the everyday chemicals we’re all exposed to—from plastics and pesticides to air pollution and household products.
Some common environmental toxins found on a test:
- BPA (Bisphenol A) – A hormone disruptor found in plastics and receipts.
- Herbicides like glyphosate – Used in agriculture, these chemicals interfere with hormones, gut health, and liver detoxification. Glyphosate is a pesticide found in produce (even organic foods due to rampant cross-contamination), linked to gut and immune issues.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – Airborne toxins from paints, cleaning supplies, and furniture to name a few sources.
- Environmental phenols – Found in plastics and antimicrobial products, these chemicals disrupt hormones and weaken immune function.
- Parabens – Common in cosmetics and skincare, these preservatives mimic estrogen and contribute to hormonal imbalances.
- Pesticides – Toxic chemicals in food and water that impair brain function, disrupt metabolism, and weaken the immune system.
- Phthalates – Chemicals in personal care and cleaning products that affect metabolism and fertility.
- Other markers – Chemicals that don’t fit inside the other categories, such as DDP, a highly toxic insecticide.
Because these toxins are so pervasive, reducing exposure is just as important as detoxing them.
What If Your Test Shows Low Toxins?
If your test results are low despite a history of toxin exposure, it could mean:
- Toxins are still trapped in your tissues and not being released yet.
- Your detox pathways aren’t functioning well, so your body isn’t clearing toxins efficiently.
- Your recent exposures are still circulating in the blood and haven’t made it to the tissues yet.
This is why we always open drainage pathways first before testing. A follow-up test after several months of detox support can reveal what was previously hidden. It can also offer clues as to whether your exposure may be old or current.
What a Detox Looks Like
Once we have your results, we take a step-by-step approach to drawing out and removing toxins safely. If toxins are pulled out too quickly without proper drainage support, they can recirculate in the body, causing fatigue, headaches, brain fog, and inflammation.
That’s why in my programs, deep detox protocols typically last 3-5 months, with a structured, step-by-step approach to ensure toxins are eliminated effectively. You’re guided every step of the way, so your body can detox at a pace that supports healing rather than triggering unwanted symptoms.
In my program, this looks like:
- Drainage & Liver Support – We ensure your gut, liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system are working properly so toxins don’t get stuck and recirculate.
- Nutrient Support – We go through what to eat and what not to eat during your detox to soothe inflammation, optimize your “scrubbing” organs, and prime your body to release pollutants without nasty side effects. Specific supplements may also support you.
- Microbial & Parasite Clearing – Heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxins don’t just burden your body—they also disrupt your gut microbiome, weakening beneficial bacteria and allowing opportunistic microbes, yeast, and parasites to thrive. Supporting microbiome balance and parasite cleansing is essential for effective detoxification.
- Targeted Binders & Detox Supplements – Different toxins require unique removal strategies—certain binders work best for toxic heavy metals, while others target mold or pesticides/herbicides.
- Cellular & Mitochondrial Repair – Long-term exposure to toxins damages your body’s ability to produce energy. We use mitochondrial support to restore brain function, metabolism, and vitality, as well as give your body the energy it needs to heal.
- Ongoing Environmental Detox – Detox isn’t just about what’s inside you—it’s also about reducing exposure to plastics, pesticides, VOCs, mycotoxins, and other hidden sources of toxins in your daily life, home and workplace.
- Rebuilding Your Gut, Immune System & Cellular Resiliency – It’s not enough to clear everything out; you need to protect all the work you’ve done to minimize the risk of those toxins accumulating again.
Deep detoxing is not a quick one-and-done process—it’s a lifestyle shift that empowers you to eliminate toxins, regain energy, and support long-term health. It’s not uncommon for a deep detox to take a year or two, but as I’ve seen with thousands of clients, the key to successful detoxing is taking it slow, being consistent, and allowing the body time to heal.
Retesting: Tracking Progress Over Time
Retesting after 3-6 months can show how well your body is eliminating toxins.
In your retest, you ideally want to see:
- Toxin levels decreasing over time
- Some levels temporarily rising before they fall (as deep toxins mobilize)
- An overall improvement in symptoms
The test we covered in the video was actually a retest. The darker blue bubble shows the current levels of the toxins and the lighter blue indicates past results.
So in this sample test, you’ll see that good progress has been made. For instance, with her first test, she had sky high levels of Fumonisins mycotoxins and now they’re in the yellow or green zones.
Retesting after completing this program not only confirms positive movement but also reveals areas that may still need attention.
Here’s an example of a blue marker that hasn’t really moved: Satratoxin G.
Her first test had a .36 of Satratoxin G. Her retest months later was .35. This minimal movement indicates that she may have black mold in her current environment.
It’s not unusual for new toxins to appear on a retest—there are a few reasons for this. First, you could have a new exposure, like if Barium is high but you recently had a medical procedure where you ingested it. But if that’s not the case, an increase in a toxin may actually be a good sign! It often indicates that old toxins, deeply stored in the cells for years or even decades, are finally being released. Some toxins, like persistent organic pollutants (POPs), are notoriously difficult to remove.
But don’t stress if you see certain toxins appear on a retest. This is a critical step in full-body detoxification, as your system becomes more efficient at clearing out past toxic burdens.
If toxins aren’t clearing despite a good detox strategy and retesting, further investigation may be needed to identify hidden exposures or support deeper detox pathways.
What To Do Next
A toxin test is just the beginning. The real work is in eliminating the toxins safely so your body can heal.
If you’re dealing with:
- Low energy
- Brain fog
- Hormone imbalances
- Weight gain
- Chronic inflammation
…toxic burden could be a major factor.
Working with a functional medicine practitioner, like me, can help you identify the toxins that are draining your energy, clouding your mind, stealing your nutrients, and adding pounds to your waistline.
Want to get to the root of your toxic load and detox safely?
By understanding your toxin test results—and taking the right steps to address them—you’re giving your body what it needs to regain energy, clarity, and resilience.
Take Good Care,