A woman on another ADHD forum is suspecting Pyroluria in her son.

Does anyone here know much if anything about it? I did some searching and pulled up some links but wondered if anyone could touch on it in layman's language.

~Sandy

http://neuro-www.mgh.harvard.edu/forum_2/PanicDisordersF/10.24.9911.38PMPyroluria.html

http://www.nutritional-healing.com.au/articles-content.php?heading=Pyroluria

http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C372380.html

http://www.drkaslow.com/html/pyroluria.html

Thanks Wheel,
When I first saw your post I thought. "Oh no! More Links!!!" But I checked them out anyway. I'd been to the 4th one already. The 3rd one looked especially helpful.

It looked "VLF." (Visual-Learner Friendly). :D

I'll pass them on to her. She is on the http://BrainTalk.org (Massachusetts General Hospital) ADHD Forum.

~Sandy

Yep. I liked the second link a lot.

To each his/her own.

Hi Sandy,
Pyroluria is a naturally-occurring poison produced by someone's adrenal gland. I know a LOT about it because I have it and so do both of my sons. You are smart to look into having your child tested for it because it is the cause of many people's ADD and ADHD symptoms. In addition, pyroluria was discovered by two researchers back in 1952, Dr. Abrahm Hoffer and Dr. Humphrey Osmond. I just took my son to see Dr. Hoffer at his psychiatric practice in Victoria, B.C. I've also written a book on the subject but it hasn't been published yet.
So, I'm happy to tell you everything I know about pyroluria.
It's easy to test for: requires only a urine test which can be done at any LabCorp for about $72.00. The treatment is B-6, B-3, zinc, and vitamin C.
NW Linda

Additional info on Pyroluria

Pyroluria (originally known as malvaria) is a genetic condition resulting in an abnormality in hemoglobin synthesis. People with pyroluria produce excess amounts of a byproduct from hemoglobin synthesis, called kryptopyrrole (2,4-dimethyl-3-ethylpyrrole) or hemepyrrole. In these people an excess amount of kryptopyrrole is found in the urine. The most accurate test for pyroluria directly measures urine kryptopyrrole’s.

“Pyroluria is a form of schizophrenic porphyria, similar to acute intermittent porphyria where both pyrroles and porphyrins are excreted in the urine in excess.” (Carl Pfeiffer PhD, MD, 1983).

This abnormality leads to a higher excretion of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and zinc in the urine, with deficiencies (or borderline deficiencies) common. Changes in fatty acid metabolism often lead to low levels of arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid). The presence of pyroluria can have a profound effect on mental and physical health and was first discovered in relation to schizophrenia.

Remainder of the article and charts can be found at:
http://www.nutritional-healing.com.au/articles-content.php?heading=Pyroluria