In this episode of the Functional Medicine Reality Podcast, I sit down again with my friend and colleague Mike Schrantz, an Indoor Environmental Professional I often call the “Doctor of Homes.” I’m the “Doctor of People,” and together we work at the intersection where sick buildings and sick bodies collide.

Today we step into a thorny topic that affects a lot of patients and a lot of practitioners: human mold testing, specifically urine mycotoxin testing.

If you have ever had a urine mycotoxin test, or if you have been told your results prove you “have mold,” you are going to want to hear this conversation. If you are a practitioner using these tests, you may feel challenged by what we say. Our intent is not to criticize, shame, or polarize. Our intent is truth telling and clarity, because the stakes are real. These results can lead to major decisions about treatment, remediation, belongings, and even moving.

We walk through the two major camps we see in the mold illness world today. One is the Shoemaker and CIRS framework, where testing is focused largely on blood-based inflammatory markers and pattern recognition. The other camp is the growing use of urinary mycotoxin testing through labs like RealTime, Vibrant, and Mosaic. We discuss how urine mycotoxin testing is sometimes being used as a standalone diagnostic tool, and why that can become dangerous.

Mike shares what he sees in the field when people come to him with a urine mycotoxin result and a diagnosis that triggers panic, decision fatigue, and expensive next steps. We talk about the hard questions that still need answers, including how labs establish “normal” versus “elevated,” what healthy control data is being used, and why repeatability and interpretation are major concerns.

A key theme is this: mycotoxins can show up in urine even in people who feel well, and mycotoxins can also come from diet and everyday exposures, not only from a moldy home. That does not mean a urine test is useless. It means the results need context. A urine mycotoxin test can be one piece of the puzzle, but it is rarely the whole puzzle.

We also discuss provocation testing, the difference between qualitative and quantitative meaning, and why overconfident conclusions can cost people more than money. They can cost peace of mind.

This episode is for anyone trying to avoid rabbit holes and get real about what these tests can and cannot tell you. Whether you are a patient or a clinician, the goal is the same: make decisions with clarity, not fear.

If you want help navigating mold illness step by step, including testing, interpretation, environment, and treatment sequencing, my team at Root Seek is here to support you.

Let’s get real and get results.

Connect with us:

Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide "Lab Results Without Answers: Your Labs Are Only Half the Story"

One of the questions I am asked most often by patients is this:

“Don’t doctors get paid to prescribe medications?”

It is a fair question. And if you have ever left a medical visit feeling rushed, unheard, or confused about why a prescription was offered when you wanted to talk about lifestyle change, you are not alone.

The short answer, from my experience, is no. Doctors are not paid directly for writing prescriptions. I have never seen that arrangement in my own career. But the longer and more important answer is where things get complicated, and where a lot of patient frustration actually starts to make sense.

In this episode, I share how modern healthcare really works behind the scenes, specifically the metric driven systems that shape many outpatient medical visits, often without patients ever being told those systems exist.

Insurance contracts commonly withhold a portion of physician reimbursement. That money can only be earned back if certain population level targets are met. These targets include cancer screening rates, blood pressure control, diabetes markers, depression screenings, and age based testing requirements.

These systems were created with good public health intentions. On a population level, they aim to reduce disease, improve outcomes, and lower long term healthcare costs. But in real life, they can unintentionally distort the patient experience.

When metrics drive behavior, office visits can become crowded with checklists, screenings, and documentation that have little to do with the reason you came in that day, whether that is back pain, fatigue, brain fog, or something else entirely.

This helps explain why you may feel frustrated when:

• You are asked the same questions at every visit
• Screenings feel unrelated to your concern
• Lifestyle conversations feel rushed or absent
• Medications are offered before behavior change has time to work

This episode is not about blaming doctors. I speak honestly about the difficult position many clinicians are placed in. They are often caught between wanting to support their patients and being financially penalized if metrics are not met by the end of the calendar year.

I also explain why lifestyle change, while essential, often does not move the numbers fast enough for these systems. That reality can quietly influence medical decisions, especially late in the year, even when a patient is motivated and ready to make change.

This conversation is about clarity, not conspiracy. It is about helping you understand why healthcare can feel transactional, why visits sometimes miss the mark, and how understanding the system can help you advocate for yourself more effectively.

My goal is not to create fear or distrust. It is to offer context, compassion, and empowerment.

If you have ever wondered why your healthcare experience feels the way it does, this episode is for you.

Let’s get real and get results.

Connect with us:

Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide "Lab Results Without Answers: Your Labs Are Only Half the Story"

Hey friends. This is one of those foundational conversations that quietly shapes everything we do in healthcare, yet it’s rarely talked about outside medical training.

In this episode, I walk you through the concept of differential diagnosis, what it is, why it matters, and how overlooking it can delay healing or, in some cases, cause real harm.

Differential diagnosis simply means creating a thoughtful list of all the possible causes of a symptom before jumping to conclusions. It’s not about being overly technical. It’s about being thorough, humble, and clinically responsible.

Using real-world examples like chronic abdominal pain, I explain how symptoms that sound familiar can have very different meanings depending on context:

• How long has it been going on?
• Is it changing?
• Is it associated with food, movement, stress, or time of day?

In functional medicine, we’re trained to think broadly. Lyme, mold, parasites, gut infections, inflammation, and toxicity all matter. That perspective is incredibly valuable. But here’s the nuance: we can’t skip over the conventional “big and bad” possibilities, especially acute or dangerous conditions like infection, obstruction, or cancer.

This episode is especially important for:

• Prescribing clinicians practicing functional or integrative medicine
• Patients with long-standing, complex, or unexplained symptoms
• Anyone who has felt dismissed, or alternatively, overwhelmed by diagnoses

I also talk candidly about a real risk in our space. We can become so focused on chronic, root-cause explanations that we miss something urgent or conventional that still needs to be ruled out first.

The takeaway isn’t fear. It’s balance.

Good medicine, whether functional or conventional, requires:

• Pattern recognition and vigilance
• Curiosity and restraint
• Innovation and respect for fundamentals

If you’ve been on a long health journey, this conversation may help you better understand how your symptoms are being interpreted and how to advocate for yourself more clearly. And if you’re a clinician, my hope is that this serves as a grounding reminder: breadth without prioritization can be just as risky as narrow thinking.

As always, let’s get real and let’s get results.

Connect with us:

Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/

Dr. Mark Su's Podcast: Functional Medicine Reality Podcast

True Wellness Clinic (for VO2 max testing, DEXA scans, and more): truwellnessclinic.com

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers? Download your free guide: https://labsoptin.rootseekhealth.com/opt-in-page-landing-page-for-lab-results-without-answers

Welcome back to the Functional Medicine Reality Podcast. I'm Dr. Mark Su, and today we're pivoting from the chronic inflammation world into the longevity space. I'm here with Cooper Paul, a pulmonary hypertension specialist at a major academic hospital in Boston and a true longevity medicine enthusiast who's taught me an incredible amount over the last few years.

Here's the thing. We all know exercise is good for us. But what if I told you there's data showing that going from a low VO2 max to an elite VO2 max can decrease your risk of dying in a given year by 400%? There is no medication in the world that can do that. And that's what we're unpacking today.

What We Cover in This Episode:

Cooper shares his family's story with the New England Parkinson's Ride, a fundraising event for the Michael J. Fox Foundation that's raised well over $12 million. That personal connection through his father sparked his passion for longevity medicine.

We break down the three pillars of exercise science within longevity medicine: VO2 max (your anaerobic power), zone two training (your aerobic base), and muscle mass and strength training. Cooper explains why VO2 max is the single best predictor we have for both healthspan and lifespan, and why even small improvements can make a drastic difference.

Cooper introduces predictive programming and back casting. You can actually project what your physical capacity will look like at 75 or 80 based on where you are now. Then ask yourself, is that the future I want? If not, build a plan to change it.

Zone two training is where things get counterintuitive. This isn't about grinding yourself into the ground. It's low intensity, sustainable, and it builds the aerobic base that supports everything else. Cooper explains the pyramid concept: VO2 max is the peak, but you can't build a tall peak without a wide base.

We also cover strength training for longevity. If you want to pick up your grandkid at 80 and that toddler weighs 35 pounds, you probably need to handle 45 to 50 pounds now to account for the scheduled decline we all experience.

Key Takeaways:

Low to elite VO2 max decreases your risk of dying in a given year by approximately 400%, far exceeding any medication.

You don't have to reach elite status. Even moving from low to below average makes a meaningful difference.

Zone two training is the foundation. It's the "I'm a little bored on the treadmill" kind of workout, and it works.

Strength training for longevity is about functional independence, picking yourself up if you fall, opening a jar, playing with your grandkids.

Progress over perfection. This is a lifelong endeavor, but it doesn't have to be an internal battle.

Connect with us:

Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/

Dr. Mark Su's Podcast: Functional Medicine Reality Podcast

True Wellness Clinic (for VO2 max testing, DEXA scans, and more): truwellnessclinic.com

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers? Download your free guide: https://labsoptin.rootseekhealth.com/opt-in-page-landing-page-for-lab-results-without-answers

Welcome back to the Functional Medicine Reality Podcast. I'm Dr. Mark Su, and this is part two of my conversation with Mary Jo Anderson. If you caught our first episode together, you know we covered the long, painful road to getting a Lyme disease diagnosis. Today we're diving into what happens after you finally have answers.

Here's the thing. Getting a diagnosis doesn't mean everything magically gets better overnight. Mary Jo's story is proof of that. And I think her willingness to share the messy, nonlinear reality of treatment is exactly what so many people need to hear.

What We Cover in This Episode:

Mary Jo opens up about why she's been hesitant to share her treatment journey publicly. The short answer? What works for one person doesn't work for another. She's seen it firsthand talking with other Lyme patients over the years. Every story is vastly different once you get past diagnosis.

We talk through her initial treatment with herbals and supplements. She was taking 15 to 20 different things at one time. It was overwhelming. She'd never even taken Advil before this. After three to four months, she went from feeling like a 12 on a pain scale to maybe a nine or ten. Barely moving the needle.

Then came antibiotics. Two at once for six months, which I know sounds intense. Over that time she went from a 10 down to about a five or six. Fifty debilitating symptoms down to ten. Real progress.

But here's where it gets real. Two weeks after stopping the antibiotics, everything came back with a vengeance. Back to square one. Mary Jo describes feeling scared, discouraged, and honestly questioning whether she wanted to keep fighting.

We talk about how she got back on the horse. Her faith, her community, her kids, the simple phrase "keep going" that she held onto in the darkest moments.

And then she shares about the combination that finally moved the needle in a big way: a specific medication paired with a raw, plant-based diet for six months. She went from feeling like she was at ground zero to feeling 100% better.

The Reality of Living with Chronic Lyme:

Mary Jo is honest that she hasn't eradicated Lyme. She's living with it. She still has some joint pain and neuropathy that comes and goes. But she's resilient. She's learned what her body needs. And she's pursuing optimal health rather than waiting to feel "cured" before moving forward.

We also touch on something important: the double life she was living during all this. Sharing beautiful sunrises and family moments online while suffering behind closed doors. Not because she was being fake, but because that joy and connection was literally what kept her going.

Key Takeaways:

Treatment isn't linear. You might try herbals, then antibiotics, then something else entirely. Progress doesn't always stick. Setbacks happen. That's the reality.

What works for one person won't necessarily work for another. Mary Jo is clear about this. She's not giving medical advice. She's sharing her experience.

Staying "broken wide open" to information, to angels who plant seeds along the way, to possibilities you haven't considered yet. That posture of openness was critical to her progress.

Connect with us:

Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide "Lab Results Without Answers: Your Labs Are Only Half the Story"

Alright, so here's one I get asked constantly: Do I really need to throw out all my belongings if there's mold in my house?

If that question's been keeping you up at night, or if you're stuck wondering whether dealing with mold means going bankrupt and starting over, take a deep breath. This episode's for you.

I brought back Mike Schrantz, one of the most networked indoor environmental professionals in the country. He's what I call a "doctor of houses and buildings." And we got into the real, practical reality of what mold remediation actually looks like. Not the fear-based stuff you find all over social media. The truth.

Here's what we talked about:

What to actually expect from a mold inspection and report. Mike breaks down why "normal" looks different depending on where you live, and how outdoor mold is different from indoor sources.

The four categories of remediation: surface cleaning, air quality, contents (furniture, clothing, papers), and deeper structural issues. Not everything requires ripping down walls.

Why the contents question brings up the most emotion. This is where people panic about throwing everything away. Mike explains what "clean enough" actually means and why treating mold like plutonium creates unnecessary fear.

The truth about mycotoxins. They have short half-lives. Normal laundering removes them from fabrics. You can clean furniture without throwing it away. And no, you probably don't need to get rid of everything.

Why the fear itself might be doing more harm than the actual exposure. We talk about the emotional toll, the financial strain, and why so many people end up spending tens of thousands on things they didn't need to do.

Bottom line: Most situations don't require moving out or going bankrupt. There are sequential steps you can take. And clarity itself can be medicine.

If you're dealing with mold concerns, chronic illness, or wondering if your environment is making you sick, this conversation will help you move forward with less overwhelm and more confidence.

Next steps: Visit RootSeekHealth.com to take our free health quiz or schedule a discovery call.

Connect with us:

Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/
Dr. Mark Su's Podcast: Functional Medicine Reality Podcast

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide: https://labsoptin.rootseekhealth.com/opt-in-page-landing-page-for-lab-results-without-answers

Let's get real and get results.

Hey friends, this one's for both practitioners and patients who've been around the functional medicine world for a while.

Here's the thing. When you've been dealing with chronic symptoms for months or years, it's really easy to fall into patterns. You start assuming every flare-up is the same old story. SIBO acting up again. Mold toxicity. Food sensitivities.

But what if it's not?

I'm talking about the differential diagnostic list, which is just a fancy way of saying: all the possible things that could be causing your symptoms. And here's where it gets tricky for those of us working in the functional medicine world.

We get so focused on the chronic inflammatory stuff, the SIBO, the parasites, the mycotoxins, that sometimes we can overlook the conventional diagnoses. The diverticulitis. The cancer, God forbid. The kidney stones. The things that need attention now.

I'll be honest, this is something I actively remind myself about. When I'm seeing a patient I've worked with for two years, and they come in describing abdominal pain, it's tempting to just pick up where we left off. But if they tell me the pain is different somehow, more intense, or now there's bleeding when there wasn't before, I cannot just chalk that up to hemorrhoids and move on.

Now, if you're a patient, here's what I want you to hear. Pay attention when symptoms vary, even just a little bit. Maybe they're 20% more intense. Maybe they're not triggered by the usual things.

And here's the critical part: don't present it to your practitioner with presumptions already baked in. Don't say, "Oh, my SIBO is flaring up again." Just describe what you're experiencing. Let them go through their checklist.

The differential diagnostic list in functional medicine is way more expansive than in conventional medicine. That's both a gift and a challenge. We're thinking about things other practitioners might miss. But we cannot let that blind us to the conventional stuff.

Being comfortable is not always a good thing. Experience helps us work faster, but complacency can be a real stealth enemy.

That my friends, is definitely the reality of medicine, especially at the intersect of functional and conventional medicine. Worth it, but more work.

In This Episode:

• Why the differential diagnostic list matters for both practitioners and patients
• The risk of getting too comfortable with chronic symptoms
• How to communicate symptoms without presumptions
• Balancing functional and conventional medicine approaches

Key Takeaways:

• When symptoms vary even by 20-30%, pay attention
• Don't attach labels to your symptoms before presenting them
• Practitioners must guard against overlooking conventional diagnoses
• Clear communication protects both patient and practitioner

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide: Understanding Your Lab Results

From GI Struggles to Stability: Anti-Aging in Real Life

A Patient Conversation with Jean

In this episode, I’m joined by Jean, a long-time patient who generously shares her real-life health journey, not from a place of perfection, but from lived experience.

This conversation is about what healing actually looks like over time. It is about chronic gut issues, instability, fatigue, and inflammation, but also about perspective, gratitude, resilience, and what it means to pursue longevity in a realistic, human way.

What This Episode Covers

• Jean’s transition into a new chapter of life, including relocation, retirement, and change
• Years of chronic GI symptoms and the complexity of digestive healing
• The role of journaling, self-awareness, and trial-and-error in recovery
• How inflammation shows up across multiple systems over time
• Why healing is often cyclical, not linear
• What “anti-aging” really means outside of hype and extremes
• The difference between chronological age and biological aging
• How energy, cognition, stability, and connection define quality of life
• The importance of movement, nature, sleep, and routine
• Why social connection and lifelong learning matter for longevity
• How to think through anti-aging options without overwhelm or fear

A Realistic View of Longevity

Rather than chasing every new trend, this episode walks through how to think clearly about longevity based on values, resources, tolerance, and life stage.

We discuss data-driven strategies like nutrition, exercise, and inflammation reduction, alongside emerging longevity concepts, while always coming back to what is sustainable and meaningful for the individual.

Key Takeaway

Longevity is not about doing everything.
It is about doing the right things for you, at the right time, in the right way.

Stability, resilience, curiosity, and connection matter just as much as supplements or tests.

And healing does not mean erasing the past. It means building a steadier future.

Important Note

This episode reflects a real patient conversation shared for educational purposes only. Nothing discussed should be taken as individual medical advice. Each person’s health journey is unique and should be navigated with appropriate professional support.

Thank you to Jean for her honesty, wisdom, and willingness to share.
This is what real-life healing looks like.

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide: Understanding Your Lab Results