Heavy Indoor Mold (Fungus) Exposure, Sinus Problems, Pituitary Damage and Growth Hormone Deficiency

Sinus problems such as stuff and runny nose (rhinosinusitis) are very common and effect at least 14% of the US population. Over 200,000 surgeries are performed annually in the US to control rhinosinusitis.  About 20% of chronic rhinosinusitis patients also experience chronic fatigue.  Many rhinosinusitis patients also have pituitary problems such as hypothyroidism or growth hormone deficiency.  Such sinus problems are often triggered by exposure to molds in the air and/or localized infection of molds (fungus). Several studies have reported that over 90% of rhinosinusitis patients have mold growth in the sinus cavities.

The chronic fatigue, thyroid hormone deficiency and growth hormone deficiency often seen in rhinosinusitis patients is probably due to damage to the pituitary gland.  The exact mechanism in which mold exposure damages the pituitary is unknown, but could be due to mold and mycotoxin related damage to the lenticulostellate tissue in the pituitary.

Detailed studies were conducted in 79 consecutive patients with a history of heavy indoor mold exposure at home or work, chronic sinusitis and chronic fatigue.  Of these patients, 40 were deficient in growth hormone (51%) and 64 were deficient in the thyroid hormones T3 and/or T4 (81%). The patients were then treated with a multi-factorial protocol which included saline solution (salt) and anti-fungal nasal sprays, a comprehensive vitamin/mineral supplement, thyroid hormone for thyroid deficient patients, growth hormone for growth hormone deficient patients, and environmental controls to reduce indoor exposure to molds in their home and/or workplace.  Reduction in indoor mold exposure was probably the most important part of this treatment protocol.  Reduction in indoor mold exposure was accomplished by such methods as eliminating water/moisture problems, removing obvious visible mold, cleaning or throwing out mold contaminated materials and use of indoor air filters to reduce exposure to indoor molds.

The multi-factorial treatment was effective in resolving both chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic fatigue in 41 of 45 (93%) patients who were able to reduce their indoor mold exposures to a low level (less than 4 colonies per one hour settle plate).  Among 30 patients who did not reduce their indoor mold exposure to a low level, only 7 (23%) experienced significant relief of both chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic fatigue.

The research was written by Drs. Donald Dennis, David Robertson, Luke Curtis and Judson Black and is published in the September-October 2009 issue of Inhalation Toxicology.