Nutrient deficiencies should be addressed with a food-as-medicine approach and supplements to increase deficiencies. Treatments for ADHD should be individualized to the root cause. Hormones can be tested through urinalysis, saliva, and blood draws. Most functional medicine practitioners like to test hormone levels over an extended period of time. One thing to be aware of is that the food needs to have been eaten in the last three days to make sure the body has produced enough immunoglobulins to identify a reaction. There are blood spot or blood draw collection kits that can be used to find food sensitivities. This test requires you to take a small dose of a heavy metal chelator and then test how much you excrete into your urine. ![]() The most common way to test for heavy metal levels is by checking hair, blood, and urine levels.įor further testing, a provocation challenge test can be done. A CBC and CMP, which your doctor runs every year, can detect vitamin D and iron deficiencies. Functional Medicine Labs to Find the Root Causes of ADHD Testing for Nutrient DeficienciesĪssessing nutrient deficiencies can be done in many ways, including at-home blood spot tests and serum blood levels. Additionally, anti-inflammatory eating patterns like the DASH diet have been found to improve symptoms of ADHD. Since the 1970s, parents, and practitioners have found that their pediatric patients with ADHD often experience an increase in symptoms after ingesting food ingredients like artificial food colorings (AFCs) and highly allergenic foods like milk, chocolate, soy, and wheat. Lead has been extensively researched in ADHD and can impact young children’s neural development even at low levels. Heavy MetalsĮxcessive blood levels of heavy metals like lead or mercury can interfere with neural signaling and worsen attention symptoms. In one study, boys with ADHD were far more likely to have higher sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels and lower DHEA levels than their peers. ![]() Hormone ImbalancesĮstrogen, testosterone, and progesterone hormone imbalances can worsen symptoms of concentration, impulsivity, and inattention in ADHD patients One study showed that 12 weeks of consumption of a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, magnesium, and zinc showed a considerable reduction in symptoms of attention deficit, emotional problems, hyperactivity, and impulsivity assessed by SNAP-IV. 78.4% of children with ADHD are deficient in vitamin D compared to 48% of children without ADHD. People with ADHD are twice as likely to suffer iron-deficiency anemia compared to members of the general population. People with ADHD have higher chances of being nutrient deficient than the average person. Let’s review them! Possible Causes of ADHD Nutrient Deficiencies The good news is - whatever the symptoms are - there are many ways to treat ADHD and get back to living the best, most focused, and centered life. People who struggle with the inattentive symptoms of ADHD may have trouble with time management, deadlines, deep listening, attention to detail, and the ability to complete projects once they start them.įor others, the hyperactivity symptoms associated with ADHD can make it difficult for them to stay seated, can lead to interruptions in class or work situations, and can cause behavioral difficulties that create conflict with others. Not everyone with ADHD has the same symptoms. ![]() An impulsive person may interrupt others or make important decisions without considering long-term consequences.”ĪDHD symptoms can significantly impact people’s lives, including relationships, job performance, and more. Impulsivity could also include a desire for immediate rewards or the inability to delay gratification.
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