Pyrrole Disorder - A Hidden Underlying Condition
Published: July 16, 2014 Last Updated: January 21, 2024
Pyrroluria is thought to affect around 10% of the population and occurs at a higher percentage in those suffering with neurological disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and schizophrenia.
What is Pyrroluria / Pyrrole Disorder?
Pyrroluria is thought to affect around 10% of the population and occurs at a higher percentage in those suffering with neurological disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and schizophrenia. It is known by many different names including Pyrrole Disorder, Kryptopyrrole, Kryptopyrroluria, Pyrroluria, Mauve Factor and Hemepyrrole. Pyrroluria is related to a genetic defect affecting haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in the blood and can best be described as the abnormal synthesis and metabolism of haemoglobin. This causes an overload of the waste metabolite produced by haemoglobin, a by-product called hydroxyhemopyrrolin-2-one (HPL), also known as Pyrrole.
People who suffer from Pyrroluria produce excessive amounts of these Pyrroles which bind to nutrients such as Zinc (1-7), Biotin 8, Vitamin B6 (1-7) and Omega 6 Fatty acids, inhibiting them from absorption and distribution in the body, rendering these nutrients unavailable.
What are the effects of Pyrroluria?
The main result of this condition is a deficiency of Zinc, B6 and Omega 6 GLA, due to the inhibition of these nutrients.
Zinc is essential for many processes of the body and is particularly important for healing, immune function, digestion, neurotransmitter activation, physical growth, memory, insulin sensitivity, blood sugar regulation and DNA replication.
Zinc and B6 are essential for the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin (our good mood hormone), melatonin (our sleep hormone), GABA (our relaxation hormone), and acetyl choline which is important for memory. They are also involved in the production of our steroid hormones such as cortisol (our anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy hormone and stress hormone) and the conversion of oils in the body (fat metabolism, liver and gall bladder issues and weight control).
The Omega 6 GLA fatty acid is found to be very low in those with pyrrole disorder. Additionally, essential fatty acids such as EPA/DHA are also low due to increased demand and are also damaged by oxidative stress/free radicals/toxins created by pyrrole during the absorption process in the gastrointestinal tract.
Common Conditions Associated with Pyrrole Disorder:
- ADD / ADHD
- Depression
- Memory dysfunction
- Alcoholism
- Down’s Syndrome
- Migraines
- Allergies
- Epilepsy
- Post-Natal Depression
- Anti-social behavior
- Heavy metal toxicity
- Schizophrenia
- Autism / Asperger
- Hormone imbalances
- Substance abuse
- Bipolar
- Learning difficulties
- Tourette’s Syndrome
Other signs and symptoms include possessing fair skin which burns easily, suffering from headaches and fatigue, white spots on the fingernails, poor sugar tolerance and/or hypoglycaemia, insomnia, joint pain especially in the knees, gastro-intestinal upset, and a tendency towards poor stress management, anxiety, nervous tension, episodic anger and depression.
Cause of Pyrroluria
Pyrroluria is thought to be of genetic causes. However, poor dietary choices and digestive health can lead to an increase in Pyrrole levels causing a greater increase in symptoms. Leaky Gut Syndrome, also known as intestinal permeability, is a condition where microscopic holes occur in your intestinal wall and allow undigested food, bacterial by-products and toxins to pass into your bloodstream. Leaky Gut Syndrome is widespread in sufferers of Pyroluria and a common factor in driving up blood Pyrrole levels. Additionally, Zinc deficiency increases bowel permeability in humans which means this can perpetuate the Pyrrole disorder. Chronic stress can also damage the intestinal wall due to the “Fight or Flight” response in the gut, and causes intestinal inflammation. Dysbiosis, an overgrowth of detrimental bacteria in the intestinal tract, has also been linked to an increase in blood pyrrole levels as well as contributing to Leaky Gut Syndrome. Alcohol, smoking, drugs and heavy metal exposure can dramatically increase blood pyrrole levels.
Pyrroluria Treatment
Treatment is surprisingly simple for Pyrrole disorders. It involves cleaning up the causes of gastrointestinal issues such as Leaky Gut Syndrome, Dysbiosis etc. Supplementation of active forms of Vitamin B6, Zinc and essential fatty acids are important, however first it must be ensured that absorption of these nutrients will occur. All treatment of the condition must be supervised by a qualified Health Professional , such as a member of the team at Health & Healing Wellness Centre.
Testing for Pyrroluria
Unfortunately, Pyrroluria is not a well-known condition, and many GP’s will not immediately think to test for it. This could be due to the fact that the only way to rectify the problem is by improving the sufferer’s nutritional status, diet, digestion and stress levels. Mainstream medicine relies on drugs to suppress a symptom and this form of treatment will not work for a person who has a Pyrrole disorder.
The most accurate way to investigate whether is to complete a definitive urine test to determine levels of Pyrrole in the blood. Contact the our experienced Brisbane Naturopath team on 07 3857 8887 if you would like to discuss completing a Kryptopyrrole test.
