Posted by MoparFan91 on July 7, 2006, at 3:11:47
I suspect that I may have this and may have always had it.
I have possible hard evidence to prove that I could have this. You know, based on research, how Pyrolurics are supposed supplement with Zinc, B6, and possibly Omega 6 and other augmenting nutrients?
I had a Red Blood Cell Elements test done at the end of March.
As far as my supplements, I had been taking 1,200mg of Magnesium Glycinate,
300mg of P5P (active form of B6),
little bit of 5-htp,
and 6 capsules of Country Life High EPA Omega 3 (getting 3 grams of pure EPA),
225mg of Zinc,
10,000mcg of Methyl B12My medications I was taking were 400mg Lamictal, 300mg Topamax, and 20mg Lexapro.
My Elements test results showed that, despite taking 225mg of Zinc, my zinc levels were only in the low end of normal! :-0
That's surprizing! Apparently, I have to take a load of Zinc to keep my levels just in the lowend of normal. So, I raised the amount to 300mg.
I'm even taking an Amino Acid Chelate capsule form, which is a well-absorbable form.Also, my Magnesium levels were in the low end of the normal range as well despite taking 1,200mg a day for months. I've been using the Magnesium Glycinate form.
Calcium levels were on low side as were potassium and phosphorus.
And my copper levels were above normal and high.
Selenium levels were on high side as was Chromium to a lower degree.
I had toxic metals checked (mercury, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, etc.), and although they weren't at toxic levels, they "were" high enough to show up on the sheet as being in the higher percentiles.
I had my thyroid TSH level tested, and it was 1.61.
When I had the test done, though, I was going through an unstable period, and a very severe depression. I was in the middle of a deep low while inside the lab getting the test done!
I have a diagnosis of Aspergers syndrome (aka as high functioning autism), OCD, and bipolar disorder. My bipolar is the rapid cycling style, and I can swing up to several times a day depending on triggers.
I suspect that my primary (if my only) chemical imbalance is Pyroluria.
I had read up a lot on this, and I fit at least 80% of the symptoms.
So, I wanted to give a run-down on these symptoms and check what I have and don't have.
All of my life, I have had the following symptoms of this:
MENTAL
-Reading disorders - problems with reading comprehension when growing up. :CHECK:
-High Anxiety - I have always had trouble with anxiety problems such as social anxiety, thought-loops triggering anxiety, and a general feeling of being "scared", esp. along with depression. The high anxiety would come along with so-called mixed states. :CHECK:
-Mood Swings & Emotional Outburts - I think this is manifested by my rapid cycling bipolar, as shown by the several times of day cycling, and this is presumably what gave me my diagnosis. I was diagnoses as bipolar at age 12 and put on Depakote. I was having the anger and emotional outbursts, and the drug helped with this at the time. Sources show that many pyrolurics are often diagnoses as "rapid cycling" bipolar. :CHECK:
-Histrionic/dramatic personality - I believe that when I speak, I come off as talking in a dramatic fashion sometimes. :CHECK:
-Ability to cope with stress - I have had big problems with this. When stress hits, I tend to go rock bottom to depression and I practically shut down & stall out. :CHECK:
-Sleep Deprivation - I have always skimped on sleep doing things like the computer/internet. I would have nights of getting 4-5 hours sleep/night. There would be incessant insomniac nights, too. :CHECK:
-Mood Response to SSRI's - They are positive, if the dose lower and it isn't too high, but later, I get manic and start to cycle moreso because the dose is pushed too high. Recent high dose Lexapro use (40mg of it) was a nightmare. :CHECK:PHYSICAL
-Unpleasant body odor - had it at times. :CHECK:
-Sensitive to bright light/loud noises - I used to be scared of fire alarms (buzzers) and balloon-popping. I would hold my ears. Still am somewhat at times. At times, loud noises would startle me. When I'm in my bad mood states, it would sound like noises would be amplified at times. As far as light, I would have to squint at the sun occasionally. :CHECK:
-Dry/Pale skin - I do have pale skin, and it sun-burns easily. Also, it is a bit on dry side. :CHECK:
-Stich in side - I often get this when running and always have. :CHECK:
-Inability to eat breakfast - I very rarely eat it, and I have had occasional morning nausea every once in a while. :CHECK:
-White spots on nails - I used to have these until I started my zinc supplements. :CHECK:
-Poor Dental enamel - My teeth, enamel-wise, do not appear to look the best in the world. They basically are not the whitest. :CHECK:
-Little or no dream recall - I never seemed to have a problem with this really. I've always recalled my dreams ok. :NO:
-Thin, prematurely gray/light hair - Don't have this. My hair is reddish and somewhat thicker side. :NO:
-Tendency for skin problems - I tend to scratch a bit due to itching. I itch frequently.
-Preference of spicy/heavily flavored foods - I LOVE hot and spicy foods. I often order the HOTTEST wings from restaurants that have chicken rings. Also, I like extra jalapeno peppers on my stuff. :CHECK:
-Abnormal Fat Distribution - I'm naturally slim. However, the fat I have, it is not distributed normally like a normal male. I seem to have a larger waist than normal for my body weight as I store much of my fat in my lower back. :CHECK:
-Poor Digestion - I've always had constipation problems. :CHECK:
-Frequent Infections - I have had ring worm before, the itching problems, and a problem with warts at one time. :CHECK:
-Low Appetite - My appetite is on low side naturally. The only time it's been really high was when I took Depakote for extended amount of time. :CHECK:
-Much higher capability/alertness in evening than morning - I have always been real tired getting up in morning, but when late day came, I was much energized. :CHECK:
-Significant growth after age 16 or stunting of growth - I think my normal muscle development and growth got inhibited during my early to mid teens as I was growing up. Also, I'm 22 now, and my frame still hasn't filled out as it still looks lanky. :CHECK:
-Frequent headaches - I don't have these frequently but have had headaches hit on few occasions at times. :NO:
-Tendency for Anemia - I've always had problems with fatigue in general and lack of energy to do stuff I wanted to do. :CHECK:So, with these, could I very well have Pyroluria as the chemical imbalance causing my psychiatric problems?
If you have any input on this, I appreciate it.
Sorry this was long, but I had a lot of information to post...
poster:MoparFan91
thread:664776
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20060704/msgs/664776.html