Depression and anxiety can cripple an otherwise productive life. Often times, these conditions run in families. There are two conditions which are recognized by lab testing that can help figure out how to treat depression and anxiety without medication! If either or both labs are positive there are metabolic issues that can be corrected with nutritional supplementation.
Pyroluria anxiety/depression results from a genetic problem with hemoglobin metabolism that results in a chronic deficiency of both vitamin B6 and zinc. Symptoms are frequent mood swings, problems with temper, inability to tolerate stress, and high anxiety. Other common symptoms include: easily tires, poor dream recall, stretch marks on the skin, forgetfulness, tendency for addictive behavior, and a poor appetite for breakfast. They have a tendency to become loners as they age. Mental symptoms are aggravated when under stress. Not all symptoms need to be present to benefit from treatment. If positive for pyroluria one must avoid fish oil, copper, and red and yellow food dyes.
The definitive lab is a urine test that measures levels of kryptopyrrole. Any alcoholic or person with the above symptoms should have the test done. This test is very inexpensive and is available from our office.
Treatment is done by supplementing vitamin B6 and zinc at high enough levels to correct the imbalance. B6 is supplemented until dream recall returns, as well as zinc and other supportive nutrients. The results will be evident in 2 days to 2 weeks (depending on the severity of pyroluria). Total reversal of symptoms may take three to four months. This is a genetic condition, therefore, if supplementation is stopped, the symptoms return within one to two weeks.
HISTAMINE PROBLEMS (UNDERMETHYLATION AND OVERMETHYLATION):
Histadelia (Undermethylation):
Histadelia indicates high levels of histamine in the blood stream (>70 mcg/dl). Histamine levels reflect a wide range of symptoms as there are histamine receptors in the skin, lungs, blood vessels and mucus membranes. High histamine can also cause some people to have psychological/behavioral symptoms as well.
This condition creates an imbalanced amino acid cycle, resulting in low serotonin levels. Obsessive compulsive patients are often histadeliacs. Often they are diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder. Other symptoms include perfectionism, allergies, headaches, and anorexia/bulimia.
Diagnosis is done primarily with a whole blood histamine level, folic acid and basophil levels.
Treatment revolves around antifolates such as methionine to add a methyl group to help histamine leave the body, calcium to release the excess histamine into the blood stream, and other supportive nutrients to help metabolism. It can take 3-6 months to resolve this chemical imbalance. If treatment is discontinued, then symptoms return.
Histapenia is characterized by low blood histamine levels (<40 mcg/dl). The neurotransmitter dopamine tends to be high. About 1/3 of these patients experience anxiety disorders. They react badly to antihistamines and generally don’t have seasonal allergies, but have many food and chemical sensitivities.
Treatment revolves around folic acid, niacin, B12, and a high protein diet. Within 2-4 weeks gradual improvement is seen. It can take several months to truly correct this biochemical imbalance. As with all biochemical imbalances that are in born, if you stop treatment symptoms will return.
SYMPTOMS OF OVERMETHYLATION:
High anxiety, nervous
Social isolation
Academic underachievement
Dry eyes
Depression and despair
Food and chemical sensitivities
Low libido
Heavy body hair
Restless legs
Learning disabilities
Upper body or head pain
Panic attacks
Paranoia
No seasonal allergies
Increased dopamine and Norepinephrine
Dr. Jennifer Reid
27530 SE Division Drive, Gresham, OR 97030 Telephone: (503)492-9427
