Pyroluria and Elevated Kryptopyrrole "Pyroluria," "Pyrroluria," "Pyrolleuria," "Pyrrole Disorder," "Elevated Kryptopyrrole," "B6 Deficiency" and other similar terms are all used to describe variants of the same basic condition: Most commonly called Pyroluria, the root cause is the production of too much "kryptopyrrole" (KP) or "hemepyrrole" (HP) in the blood. The symptoms of excess urinary kryptopyrrole first manifest themselves as behavioral abnormalities. Although children tend to be more easily diagnosed than adults, the symptoms are consistent: poor tolerance of physical and emotional stress, mood swings, depression, sensitivity to light, noise and other tactile sensitivities. Later symptoms can range from severe depression to chronic schizophrenia. Accompanying physical symptoms can include pain, seizures, even complete physical debilitation. Direct Health Care Access II Laboratory is the leading expert in urinary pyrrole testing. Tests for Pyroluria are available and inexpensive. Pyroluria can be responsible for a wide range of behavioral conditions in adults, including chronic depression, paranoia, schizophrenia and even certain types of criminal behavior. Historically, these conditions have been easily misdiagnosed. Thus, early testing is essential for anyone exhibiting such symptoms. What is Kryptopyrrole? Elevated kryptopyrrole levels result from an abnormality in hemoglobin (the protein that holds iron in red blood cells). Kryptopyrrole has no known function in the body, but it is excreted in urine. It was originally discovered in a urine test in Saskatchewan about 1960 in a patient exhibiting schizophrenic symptoms. Subsequently, researchers began investigating possible relationships to the various types of schizophrenia. Thousands of patients were examined and a long series of double-blind tests were performed. The results were extraordinary: There was a clear and measurable relationship between elevated urinary kryptopyrrole and patients exhibiting schizophrenic symptoms. Although not a definitive test for schizophrenia, the results indicated that the presence of elevated urinary kryptopyrrole is often associated with clinical conditions characterized by schizophrenic patients. However, there are diagnostic challenges for physicians. Although a substantial proportion of psychiatric diseases can be traced to excess urinary kryptopyrrole, other conditions with a genetic basis, such as Autism, frequently show elevated pyrrole levels. In more general cases there can be emotional symptoms, physical symptoms, or both simultaneously. It is therefore easy to understand how a misdiagnosis can occur — hence the importance of early testing. In formal clinical trials, the following percentages were determined for frequency of elevated pyrrole in a range of test subjects: Autism 50% (Audha) Alcoholism 40% (Mathews-Larson) ADHD 30% (Walsh) Schizophrenia & Depression 70% (Hoffer) To summarize: Pyroluria is a feature of many behavioral and emotional disorders. Its cause is an inborn error in pyrrole chemistry, resulting in a dramatic zinc and vitamin B6 deficiency. Elevated levels of kryptopyrrole produce symptoms including irritability, anger episodes, poor memory, impaired intellectual function, impaired immune function and inability to deal with stress. Patients are easily identified by their inability to tan, poor dream recall, abnormal fat distribution, and sensitivity to light and sound. The decisive laboratory test is analysis for kryptopyrroles in urine. Treatment is centered on zinc and B6 supplements together with omega-6 essential fatty acids.If left undiagnosed and untreated, the condition can lead to a wide range of significant health problems. Kryptopyrrole Quantitative Urine Test Although the decisive laboratory test for Pyroluria is analysis of kryptopyrrole in urine, a physical examination to observe the patient for signs of pyroluria should always accompany the laboratory test. A formal regimen can then be implemented based on a combination of quantitative results and qualitative observations. Vitamin B6 is important in the formation of many neurotransmitters. B6 deficiency is associated with agitation, irritability, depression and impaired intellectual function. Kryptopyrrole elevation can also be associated with poor tolerance of physical stress. In advanced cases, severe pain in the joints and extremities may be present. Treatment of pyroluria consists of replacement of zinc and vitamin B6. Because the treatment has a metabolic rather than pharmacologic basis, it must be titrated to individual requirements. A variety of factors are taken into consideration when developing a treatment regimen. Both zinc and B6 supplementation need to be directed by a practitioner, as too much can be toxic. Use of the correct form of vitamin B6 and zinc is necessary to be effective. Avoiding competing minerals and supplements may also be necessary. A medical practitioner must receive a copy of the test results. An approved medical practitioner could be a licensed physician, a licensed physician assistant, an advanced practice nurse, or an individual authorized under State law to order tests or receive test results, or both. Early Testing Yields Big Rewards Early testing for pyroluria and elevated kryptopyrrole levels can not only lead to proper diagnosis and treatment, but in the past has on occasion resulted in near-miraculous recovery. A classic case involved an 11-year old girl diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Her history included chronic insomnia, loss of reality, attempted suicide, amnesia, seizures, nausea, vomiting and debilitating pain in her extremities. She was misdiagnosed by a series of physicians, labelled as "schizophrenic," "paranoid" and "schizophrenic with convulsive disorder." Psychotherapy and medications were ineffective. Her physical debilitation was almost total. Everything changed when a Kryptopyrrole Quantitative Urine Test demonstrated that her symptoms were consistent with elevated kryptopyrrole levels. Indeed, her urinary kryptopyrrole level was at times as high as 1,000 mcg (the normal range is less than 15 mcg). She was diagnosed as vitamin B6 and zinc deficient and treatment commenced immediately. In just three months her pain disappeared, the depression subsided and the seizures and nausea vanished. In effect, all of her symptoms were gone! Since then, she has experienced no recurrence of her grave illness. She has finished college and now works in New York. She takes zinc and B6 daily. When under stress of any kind, she increases her intake of vitamin B6. All indications are that she has been completely cured as a direct result of correct diagnosis and proper treatment. Pyroluria Affects More Than Just Health Dr, William Walsh, PhD, co-founder and senior scientist at the Health Research Institute and Pfeiffer Treatment Center near Chicago, has authored more than 200 scientific reports on diagnosis and treatment of biochemical disorders. Part of what has been discovered is the fact that learning disabilities may also be directly related to Pyroluria and elevated kryptopyrrole levels. To quote from one of his excellent articles: "There is a high incidence of learning problems among violent youngsters or those with oppositional-defiant disorder. As we followed the results of nutrient therapy on behavior, we noticed that learning often improved, sometimes dramatically. I recall a violent, emotionally disturbed girl who was in Educable Mentally Handicapped classes with a reported I.Q. of 62 (the average is 100). Within three months on the nutrient protocol she was mainstreamed into high school. She became highly motivated and did well in college. When re-tested, her resulting I.Q. was 135. The family was shocked." Clearly, the need for early, professional testing and detection of Pyroluria and elevated kryptopyrrole levels cuts across multiple disciplines. Some remarkable stories have been recorded in which patients with extreme symptoms have experienced near-total recoveries in mere days of commencing treatment. However, this treatment is not always administered early. Simply stated, the attending physician may be unaware of the real root cause of the problem. This is not surprising because the range and severity of symptoms can easily mislead the diagnosis. Fortunately, elevated kryptopyrrole levels and Pyroluria are usually simple to resolve, once the proper tests have been performed and a correct diagnosis has been made. That's why rapid, professional and reliable testing is so important. Licensed Full-Service Laboratory Direct Health Care Access II Laboratory offers professional Elevated Urinary Kryptopyrrole Analysis at affordable costs. We have been performing pyrrole testing for the Health Research Institute/Carl Pfeiffer Treatment Center for over twenty years. Our offerings include customized specimen collection kits, clinical consultation and personalized service. References are available upon request. Direct Health Care Access II Laboratory provides the test collection kit(s). Everything needed is shipped as part of the kit. After running the test, a clinical consultant/MD is available at no additional cost to consult with the practitioner regarding the test results as related to specific patient conditions. A consensus report of the Defeat Autism Now (DAN) Scientific Effort (October 2002 edition) by Jon B. Pangborn Ph.D. and Sidney Baker, M.D. recommended that all evaluation tests include Urine Kryptopyrrole. In an effort to make affordable testing available to all families, Direct Health Care Access II Laboratory offers the highest quality testing services at very low prices. In addition, the following related test services are available: Order the Kryptopyrrole Urinary Quantitative and Other Tests Kryptopyrrole Urinary Quantitative Urinary Kryptopyrrole measurements are used to diagnose pyroluria, along with physical examination to observe the patient for signs of pyroluria. Your test collection kit(s) with everything you need shipped to you. Running the test, reporting the test to you and your practitioner, clinical consultation regarding the test results, and their interpretation concerning specific patient conditions to your practitioner, at no additional charge. Price: 50.00 USD Additional Tests Metabolic Panel Requires a urine specimen and blood draw METABOLIC PANEL: includes Kryptopyrrole Urinary Quantitative, Copper serum, Zinc serum and Histamine whole blood. This panel aids the practitioner in assessing levels of some nutrients that are critical to brain health. This panel identifies imbalances that have been associated with Autism, Aspergers syndrome, ADD/HD, anxiety, Bipolar disorder and other mental and emotional conditions. Includes the Kryptopyrrole test collection kit with everything the patient will need shipped to them, running the test, reporting the test to your practitioner, mailing the patient a receipt and your practitioner can take advantage of a clinical consultation with our M.D. regarding the test results and their interpretation at no additional charge. The patient is responsible for the collection of the specimen (everything is included in the kit) and the cost of shipping the specimen back to us via overnight next day air. Blood histamine,serum copper & zinc Requires a blood draw., we will provide the patient with several LabCorp service centers in their area where they will be able to have their blood drawn and testing done. A letter and requisition will be provided to them. LabCorp will draw the blood, perform the testing and report the results to Direct Healthcare Acess. We will then report the results to the practitioner. Price: 141.57 USD Copper, Serum/Plasma Requires a blood draw. Copper increases the electrical potential of the neuron, perhaps due to the enhancement of the movement of sodium. Copper is an essential trace mineral, contained in many healthful foods. However excessive levels are toxic to the body. Elevated copper can interfere with processes, compromising the brain's access to its major source of fuel, and leaving the brain neurons starved for energy. Multiple studies have found a correlation between excess copper and schizophrenia Note: Copper excess has also been implicated in attention and hyperactivity disorders,learning problems,temper tantrums, depression,agitation, post-partum depression, Autism and Asberger's syndrome. Price: 42.90 USD Amino Acid Profile,Quantitative, Plasma Requires a blood draw. Use: Increased amino acid concentrations in plasma may reflect inherited metabolic abnormalities. Price: 231.30 USD Ceruloplasmin Requires a blood draw. Price: 30.00 USD Complete Blood Count Requires a blood draw. Price: 27.00 USD Amino Acid Profile, Quantitative, 24 hour urine Use: Evaluate inborn errors of metabolism for amino acids. Price: 237.50 USD Drug Abuse Screen on Urine urine specimen includes: Cannabinoids, Opiates, Amphetamines, Cocaine, Phencyclidine, Barbituates, Benzodiazepines, Propoxyphene, Methamphetamine and MDMA Price: 37.50 USD Ferritin, Serum Requires a blood draw. Price: 29.00 USD Folate (Folic Acid) serum Requires a blood draw. Price: 40.00 USD Histamine Determination, whole blood Requires a blood draw. Histamine is an important brain neurotransmitter and neuroregulator, and is present in all nerve cells. Histamine influences mood, appetite, sleep and thought. Note: Medications, presence of other polyamines, and allergy treatment may affect results of histamine. Elevated Blood Histamine clinical features include: depression,obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD), perfectionism. Low Blood Histamine clinical features include: tendency for high anxiety and panic disorders, depression, chemical and food sensitivities. Price: 35.10 USD Homocysteine, Plasma or Serum Requires a blood draw. Price: 67.50 USD Methymalonic Acid Serum Requires a blood draw. Elevated levels of methylmalonic acid provide an early indication of cobalamin (B12) deficiency Price: 93.80 USD Stool Culture Requires a stool specimen. Price: 60.00 USD Stool Ova and Parasite Requires a stool specimen. Price: 35.00 USD T3 Requires a blood draw. Price: 40.00 USD T4 Requires a blood draw. Price: 29.00 USD TSH-Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Requires a blood draw. Price: 31.00 USD Uric Acid Requires a blood draw. Price: 27.00 USD Vitamin A Requires a blood draw. Price: 40.00 USD Zinc, Plasma/Serum Requires a blood draw. Zinc is abundant in the brain hippocampus and may function as a neurotransmitter. Zinc also enhances resistance to stress and helps maintain intellectual function, memory and mood levels. Deficiency can lead to headaches, lethargy, amnesia, other memory impairment, irritability, behavior disorders and paranoia. Price: 31.30 USD Tests can be ordered individually or as a "Metabolic Panel," which aids the practitioner in assessing levels of some nutrients that are critical to brain health. The metabolic panel includes Kryptopyrrole Urinary Quantitative, Zinc Plasma, Copper Serum and Histamine Whole Blood. This panel identifies imbalances that have been associated with Autism, Asperger's syndrome, ADD/HD, anxiety, bipolar disease, and other mental and emotional health conditions. If you should choose to order the Metabolic Panel (or one of our tests which requires a blood draw) and you are unable to come to our laboratory, we will refer you to a convenient location in your area to have blood drawn. NOTES: The Health Research Institute and Pfeiffer Treatment Center are leaders in the research and treatment of biochemical imbalances. ADHD News and Information to Help Your Child A place to find ADHD news, message boards, medication information, resources and testimonials for families coping with ADHD. Additional authoritative information relating to Pyroluria, the discovery of Kryptopyrrole and its importance in diagnosis of biochemical imbalances in Schizophrenia and in criminal behavior can be found in an excellent article by Dr. Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D. at DoctorYourself.com.