Signs You’ve Been Exposed to Environmental Toxins: What to Do Next
You eat well. You’ve cleaned up your diet, you take your supplements, maybe you even exercise regularly and prioritize sleep. But despite all of that, you still feel… off. You’re tired more often than not. Youcan’t seem to focus the way you used to. Your skin is acting up, your hormonesfeel out of balance, and your immune system just isn’t what it used to be. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to ask a question that’s often overlooked in conventional medicine: Could this be environmental toxin exposure?
In today’s world, we are surrounded by invisible stressorsthat our ancestors never had to deal with—chemicals in our food and water,pollutants in the air, synthetic materials in our homes, and toxins produced by mold or even microbes living inside us. While our bodies are equipped withdetox pathways, the sheer volume of exposure we now face can overwhelm thosesystems, especially if we’re genetically predisposed to have slower detoxfunction. The result? Chronic, low-grade toxicity that quietly disrupts ourimmune system, hormones, nervous system, and more.
At the Restorative Medicine Center, we use a frameworkcalled the Root Cause Triad to evaluate the core drivers of chronicsymptoms. This model focuses on three interrelated areas: Microbes, Toxins,and the Stress Response. While all three are often in play, toxins—both biotoxins (produced by living organisms like mold or Lyme microbes) and toxicants (manmade chemicals like heavy metals, pesticides, and plastics)—are a majorculprit behind many of the chronic symptoms we see in our office.
These toxins don’t just accumulate in tissues. They confuse your immune system, impair cellular function, disrupt hormones, and inflame the gut and brain. And because they rarely cause acute, textbook symptoms, theyoften go undetected—even in people who have seen multiple specialists.
The good news? Once we identify the presence and impact ofthese toxins, we can take thoughtful, targeted steps to reduce your body burdenand restore your health. In the next section, we’ll explore what symptoms towatch for—and how to begin detoxing safely and effectively using a functional medicine approach.
Environmental Toxin Exposure Symptoms: What to Watch For
One of the reasons environmental toxin exposure is so oftenmissed is because the symptoms don’t scream “toxicity.” Instead, they whisper—showingup subtly across multiple systems of the body. Patients often come in with along list of seemingly unrelated complaints, but when we take a step back, thepattern becomes clear.
Below is a breakdown of common symptoms associated withtoxicant and biotoxin exposure, organized by system to help you betterunderstand what your body might be trying to tell you.
Neurological and Cognitive
Toxins love fat-rich tissues—especially the brain. This canlead to a variety of cognitive and emotional symptoms:
● Brain fog – that hazy, slow thinkingwhere words and thoughts don’t come as easily
● Poor memory or focus – you read aparagraph and can’t remember it; multitasking becomes exhausting
● Headaches or migraines – especially thosethat don’t respond to typical treatments
● Anxiety, depression, mood swings –changes in neurotransmitter function and inflammation can alter mood andemotional stability
Immune and Inflammatory
Your immune system is one of the first lines of defense against toxins, but chronic exposure can overwhelm it, leading to:
● Frequent infections – getting sick moreoften or taking longer to recover
● Allergies and sensitivities – especiallynew or worsening reactions to foods, chemicals, or smells
● Autoimmunity – toxins can trigger immuneconfusion, causing the body to attack its own tissues
● Chronic inflammation – the body is in aconstant state of low-grade war, leading to widespread symptoms
Skin and Detox Organs
Your skin is your largest detox organ, and when other detox pathways are sluggish, the body may try to push toxins out through the skin:
● Rashes, eczema, hives – especially ifunexplained or recurring
● Body odor or metallic taste – subtle buttelling signs that detox pathways are congested
● Persistent acne or other skin changes –especially in adults
● Liver enzyme elevations, gallbladder issues– may show up on labs or through symptoms like right upper quadrant pain ornausea
Hormonal and Metabolic
Toxins interfere with hormone receptor function, glandularoutput, and metabolic signaling, contributing to:
● Adrenal dysfunction – feeling “wired buttired,” energy crashes, or trouble handling stress
● Thyroid imbalance – often presenting ashypothyroidism that doesn’t fully respond to meds
● Insulin resistance, weight gain –especially weight that won’t budge despite efforts
● Menstrual irregularities or fertility issues– hormone-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a major hidden factor in reproductivehealth
General and Nonspecific
These are the symptoms most people live with daily—andassume are “just part of getting older.” They’re not:
● Fatigue – not relieved by sleep, andworsens with exertion
● Joint/muscle pain – sometimes migratory,with no clear injury or arthritis
● Sensitivity to light, noise, or temperature– a sign of a hypersensitized nervous system
● Dizziness, balance issues – may point totoxin-related effects on the brain or inner ear
If you see yourself in several of these categories, it maybe time to consider whether toxins are playing a role in your health. The more systems involved, the more likely it is that your body is under toxic stress.
What to DoNext: Functional Medicine Approach to Detox
If you suspect that environmental toxins are playing a rolein your symptoms, the next step isn’t guesswork or a trendy juice cleanse—it’sa strategic, individualized detox plan built around your body’s needs and capabilities. At Restorative Medicine Center, we use a functional medicineapproach that begins by identifying what your body is dealing with, supportingyour natural detoxification systems, and carefully guiding more advanced detoxstrategies when appropriate.
Test Don’tGuess
The first step in any effective detox plan is accurate data.We utilize advanced, functional lab testing to assess your individual toxinload. These may include:
● Urine Mycotoxin Testing – to detect moldtoxins stored in tissues
● Heavy Metal Panels – to assess levels ofmercury, lead, arsenic, aluminum, and more
● Organic Acid Testing – to evaluate detoxcapacity, mitochondrial health, and microbial overgrowth
● GPL-Tox, Vibrant, or Great Plains toxin panels – to assess for phthalates, pesticides, VOCs, and other commonchemicals
It’s important to note that preparing the body beforetesting is critical. If detox pathways are congested, you may not excretetoxins well, and your test may appear falsely “normal.” We often use gentledetox priming before testing to get more accurate, actionable results.
Support Natural Detoxification First
Before jumping into aggressive protocols, we always begin bysupporting the body's built-in detox systems. These include the liver,kidneys, lymph, skin, lungs, and gut. If these are overwhelmed or sluggish,toxin mobilization can make you feel worse, not better.
Key foundational strategies include:
● Hydration – Sip 2–3 liters of filteredwater daily
● Sleep – Aim for deep, restorative sleepin a dark, EMF-free space
● Clean food, clean air, clean water –Reduce incoming toxins to lighten the load
● Daily bowel movements – Essential fortoxin elimination
● Lymphatic movement – Rebounding, drybrushing, or gentle exercise
● Deep breathing – Supports lung detox andparasympathetic balance
Foundational supplements may include:
● Glutathione (the master antioxidant)
● Binders to mop up circulating toxins(activated charcoal, zeolite, or GI detox)
● Minerals to support cellular detox(magnesium, zinc, molybdenum)
TargetedDetox Therapies (Only When Ready)
Once the basics are in place and your system is stable, wemay introduce targeted therapies to enhance deeper detoxification. These interventions are powerful but must be introduced gradually and thoughtfullyto prevent toxin redistribution or flare-ups.
Some of the most effective therapies include:
● Far Infrared Sauna – promotes sweatingand mobilizes stored toxins
● Red Light Therapy – reduces inflammation,supports mitochondria and cellular repair
● Binders – such as charcoal, bentoniteclay, or cholestyramine to trap and eliminate biotoxins
● Liver & Lymphatic Support – throughherbs like milk thistle, burdock, or homeopathic drainage
● Nutrient Repletion – particularly Bvitamins, magnesium, selenium, and antioxidants
● EMF Mitigation – to reduce cellularstress that may impair detox function (turn off WiFi at night, use groundingtools, limit screen time)
AvoidRe-exposure
Healing can’t happen if your body is constantly beingre-exposed. Here are practical, sustainable ways to reduce daily toxinexposure:
● Water Filtration – Install a high-qualitywater filter for both drinking and bathing
● Non-Toxic Cookware – Swap out Teflon andaluminum for stainless steel, ceramic, or cast iron
● Mold Remediation – Test your home andaddress any water damage or hidden mold
● Low-Tox Living – Choose fragrance-free,chemical-free cleaning and personal care products
Even small changes add up—especially over time. Remember,detox is not a one-time event—it’s a long-term commitment to reducing your bodyburden and supporting resilience.
You’re NotBroken—You’re Overloaded
If you’ve been living with vague but persistent symptoms—fatigue,brain fog, hormone imbalance, skin changes, or immune dysfunction—and no onehas been able to give you real answers, please know this: your symptoms arereal, and you are not broken. More often than not, what we see inour office isn’t a lack of willpower or some mysterious, incurable condition—it’sa body overwhelmed by toxic burden.
When we identify and address that burden—whether it’s fromheavy metals, mold, chemicals, or microbe-derived biotoxins—the results can belife-changing. Patients report dramatic improvements in energy, clarity, mood,and resilience. Immune symptoms begin to fade, hormones stabilize, and qualityof life returns.
You don’t need another generic “cleanse” or trendy detoxtea. What your body needs is a targeted, strategic plan—one thatgently and effectively supports your body’s natural detox systems, and one that’sdesigned specifically for you.
Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen. And we’rehere to walk that path with you.
If this sounds like your story—or your child’s story—we’rehere to help.
At Restorative Medicine Center, we specialize in next-level functional medicine using the Root Cause Triad to identifyhidden toxins, microbial burdens, and stress-related disruptions that aresilently driving your symptoms. Whether you're dealing with unexplainedfatigue, brain fog, autoimmune flares, or a long list of “normal” labs that don’treflect how you feel—we will help you uncover what’s really going on beneaththe surface.
Let’s stop guessing. Let’s start healing.
📍 Dr. TeresaBirkmeier-Fredal, MD Restorative Medicine Center
705 Barclay Cir #115, RochesterHills, MI 48307
📞 Phone: 248.289.6349
📠 Fax: 248.289.6923
🕘 Office Hours: Mon -Thurs: 9am - 5pm; Fri: Closed
🌐 www.restorativemedcenter.com