Pyroluria
Pyroluria is a condition that was originally discovered because of its link with Schizophrenia. Recently, however, it also been associated with disorders such as depression, autism, ADHD and alcoholism. Read more about Pyroluria below...
What exactly is Pyroluria?
Pyroluria anxiety/depression results from a genetic problem with hemoglobin metabolism that creates a biproduct that binds irreversible with Vitamin B-6. This biproduct is called kryptopyrrole or mauve factor. This results in a chronic deficiency of both vitamin B6 and zinc. Associated changes in fatty acid metabolism also lead to low levels of arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid). Primary symptoms of pyroluria include mood swings, rage, stress intolerance, and anxiety. Other common symptoms include: fatigue, poor dream recall, forgetfulness, tendency for addictive behavior, and a poor morning appetite. Psychiatric symptoms are aggravated when under stress. Not all symptoms need to be present to benefit from treatment. If positive for pyroluria one must avoid excess fish oil, copper, and red and yellow food dyes.
How do I know if I have Pyroluria?
The definitive lab is a urine test that measures levels of kryptopyrrole. Any person struggling with addiction or with the above symptoms should be tested. This test is very inexpensive and is available from our office.
How do I treat Pyroluria?
Treatment for pyroluria is supplementation of high doses of vitamin B6, zinc, Omega 6 Fatty Acids and Methylation support such as SAM-e or Methionine. 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. Adverse effects have been seen in some patients in regards to high doses of zinc and B-6, therefore, this level of supplementation should only be done under the supervision of a qualified health care provider.
Symptoms of Pyroluria:
| Tendency to sunburn |
Prone to side stitches |
| Weak appetite in the morning |
Unexplained nausea |
| Hypoglycemia |
Motion sickness |
| Panic attacks |
Depression |
| Anxiety, sometimes severe |
Bipolar disorder |
| Schizophrenia |
Allergies |
| Alcohol problems |
Forgets dreams |
| Easily fatigued |
Emotional instability |
| Antisocial |
White spots on fingernails |
| Joint pain |
Poor reaction to stress |
| Famous for their temper |
Mood swings |
|
Sensitivity to light
|
Articles:
Pyroluria: Hidden Cause of Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Depression, and Anxiety Symptoms by Woody McGinnis, M.D.
Commentary on Nutritional Treatment of Mental Disorders: Pyrrole Disorder by Willam Walsh, Ph.D. Pyroluria by Carl C. Pfeiffer, Ph.D., M.D.
Pyroluria by Jeremy E. Kaslow, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.A.A.I.
Laboratories which test for pyroluria:
Bio-Center Laboratory (Wichita, KS, USA)
Biolab Medical Unit (London, UK)
Direct Healthcare Access, Inc. (Mount Prospect, IL, USA)
Great Plains Laboratory (Lenexa, KS, USA)
Klinisch Ecologisch Allergie Centrum (Weert, Netherlands)
S.A.F.E. Analytical Laboratories (Gold Coast, Australia)
Vitamin Diagnostics (New Jersey, USA)
Related research:
The Relationship Between an Unknown Factor (US) in the Urine of Subjects and HOD Test Results. J Neuropsychiatry 2:363-368, 1961. (by Abram Hoffer MD, PhD & Humphry Osmond, M.D.)
The Presence of Unidentified Substances in the Urine of Psychiatric Patients 2:331-362, 1961 (by Abram Hoffer M.D, PhD, et al)
The Presence of Malvaria in Some Mentally Retarded Children. Amer J Ment Def 67:730-732, 1963. (by Abram Hoffer M.D, PhD, et al)
Malvaria: A New Psychiatric Disease. Acta Psychiat Scand 39:335-366, 1963. (by Abram Hoffer MD, PhD & Humphry Osmond, M.D.)
Malvaria and the Law. Psychoso-matics, 7:303-310, 1966. (by Abram Hoffer M.D, PhD, et al) Mauve spot and schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry 125(6):849-851, 1968.
Biochemical relationship between kryptopyrrole (mauve factor and trans-3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid schizophrenia odor). Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 1973 (by Carl Pfeiffer MD, PhD, et al.)
Studies on the occurrence of the mauve factor in schizophrenia [article in Polish]. Psychiat. Pol., 7(2):153-9, 1973.
Treatment of pyroluric schizophrenia (malvaria) with large doses of pyridoxine and a dietary supplement of zinc. J. Orthomolecular Psychiatry3(4):292 1974 (by Carl Pfeiffer PhD, MD & Arthur Sohler PhD)
A rapid screening test for pyroluria; useful in distinguishing a schizophrenic subpopulation. J. Orthomolecular Psychiatry 1974 3(4):273 (by Arthur Sohler PhD)
Neurological and behavioral toxicity of kryptopyrrole in the rat., Pharmacol Biochem Behav 3(2):243-50 1975
Zinc and Manganese in the Schizophrenias. J. Orthomolecular Psychiatry 12(3):215 1983 (by Carl Pfeiffer PhD, MD and Scott LaMola, BS)
A new prostaglandin disturbance syndrome in schizophrenia: delta-6-pyroluria., Med Hypotheses 19(4):333-8 1986
Pyroluria – Zinc and B6 deficiencies. Int Clin Nutr Rev 1988 (by Carl Pfeiffer MD, PhD, et al.)
The Discovery of Kryptopyrrole and its Importance in Diagnosis of Biochemical Imbalances in Schizophrenia and in Criminal Behavior J. Orthomolecular Medicine 10(1):3 1995 (by Abram Hoffer M.D, PhD)
Fatty Acid Profiles of Schizophrenic Phenotypes, 91st AOCS Annual Meeting and Expo San Diego, California 2000 (by William Walsh PhD of the Pfeiffer Treatment Center)
Urinary Pyrrole (Mauve Factor): Metric for Oxidative Stress in Behavioral Disorders, presented to the Linus Pauling Institute, 2003 (by Woody R. McGinnis MD)