Will nasal steroids affect Mycotoxin test results?
As the Mycotoxin test was validated in an unmedicated and unsupplemented reference population, it is unknown if or to what degree nasal steroids may impact the results. However, theoretically, nasal steroids work in the same manner as oral steroids and may have immunosuppressive effects. While the actions are more localized, and less systemic, therapeutically they have the same actions. Practitioners and patients using nasal steroids may want to wait to allow the medication to clear the body before testing. Nasal steroids elimination half life can vary depending upon the class, from 1.5-20 hours.
If I want to discontinue a medication or dietary supplement to establish a baseline finding, how long does it take medications or dietary supplements to ‘clear’?
With certain medications, the drug itself may have cleared the body, but the effect of the medication may be longer lasting. It is important to realize that there is a great deal of variability in the circulating levels and metabolic clearance rates of medications and dietary supplements. In addition, clearance rates are affected by episodic fluctuations, diurnal rhythm, genetics, age, biological sex, menstrual cycle phase, renal function, liver function, immune function, and comorbidities.
Where can I find more information on test interference and elimination half-lives of medications and dietary supplements?
The National Library of Medicine’s Daily Med database is a searchable free database which provides the most recent drug and supplement labeling information submitted to the FDA. Drugs.com is another free searchable database with information on prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements. A Google or Google Scholar search will also provide information on half-lives of medications and dietary supplement ingredients (e.g., capsaicin, turmeric, omega-3 fatty acids).
For more information, see: Intranasal Corticosteroids: Topical Potency, Systemic Activity and Therapeutic Index https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8436259/