With so many testing options available today, it can be overwhelming for parents of children with ADHD to know where to begin or how to best invest their money to maximise results. Your child might be feeling frustrated with all the appointments or anxious about procedures like blood draws. Here are a few options to help reduce their stress and make sure you get the information you need.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis
If your child has any gut symptoms or food sensitivities, a comprehensive stool analysis can be a really useful place to start. This involves providing a small stool sample, which is then analysed by the lab to identify an overgrowth of unhelpful bacteria, yeast, infections, or signs of inflammation in the gut.
Research has shown that children with ADHD often have different gut microbiomes compared to neurotypical children. For example, certain strains of bacteria, like Clostridia, produce an inflammatory toxin called HPHPA, which can interfere with the brain's ability to metabolise dopamine, a key neurotransmitter. These Clostridia species have been found to be more prevalent in individuals with ADHD. For a deeper dive into the connection between gut health and ADHD, check out our article on 'Is there a link between the gut and brain in children with ADHD?'
But it’s not only unwanted bacteria in the gut that can cause inflammation; yeast overgrowth can also be an issue for neurodivergent children, contributing to sugar cravings, mood swings, sleep disturbances and hyperactivity.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers found in the brain that influence mood, behaviour, and thought processes. Dopamine is essential for motivation, attention, and memory, and its dysregulation is thought to contribute to many symptoms of ADHD.
The good news is the genetic potential of your child’s gut microbiome is dynamic and responsive to its environment - meaning we can change the chemicals produced in their gut by helping the beneficial bacteria to flourish. A personalised food and supplement plan can help restore balance. This approach can improve your child’s appetite, food preferences, digestive health, and the absorption of essential nutrients. For children with sensory issues and fussy-eaters, additional strategies can be explored to help manage their food aversions.
However, improvements in gut health can take a few months to show noticeable results, and with nutritional therapy it can be important to take a multi-faceted approach to health and brain function. As an alternative approach to testing, you can begin with the Organic Acids Test, alongside a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) and Kryptopyrroles (KRYP) test, to gain more immediate insights.
Organic Acids Test (OAT)
The OAT is a simple at-home urine test that measures the levels of various organic acids in the body. Organic acids are produced by certain microbes in the gut, or made in the body through the breakdown of food (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates), neurotransmitters and toxins.
Different levels of organic acids can provide insight into how the body is functioning, including gut health, detoxification and energy production (in our cells) – all of which can impact attention and behaviour. These organic acids are linked to specific pathways, such as yeast or bacterial overgrowth, oxidative stress, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and neurotransmitter balance. For example, homovanillic acid (HVA) levels in the urine can be used to assess dopamine levels in the body.
Similar to a stool test, the OAT can also detect high levels of Clostridia (HPHPA), yeast infection (arabinose) or an imbalance of gut bacteria.
The OAT provides a snapshot of someone’s overall health, but with a specific focus on metabolic processes—how the body is breaking down and using various nutrients, producing energy, and managing waste. So what is missing and how can we fill in some of the gaps?
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)
If your child is struggling with emotional regulation, impulsivity or aggression, a hair mineral analysis can provide insight into whether a mineral imbalance or toxicity is playing a part in their symptoms. This test involves collecting a small sample of your child’s hair near the scalp, which is then analysed to assess their mineral levels and detect any toxic metals. This information, combined with their OAT results, provides a detailed view of your child’s nutrient (vitamin and mineral) status and needs.
Magnesium in the body is primarily stored in our bones and muscles, and only a small fraction circulates in the bloodstream. Hair tests can measure the amount of magnesium deposited in the hair, providing an indication of magnesium (and other mineral) levels in the body over a longer period, typically around three months.
Several studies have found that children with ADHD may have lower magnesium levels than those without the condition. Magnesium is a crucial mineral that plays a key role in many brain processes, including neurotransmitter regulation. If your child is anxious, sleeps poorly or is prone to constipation, these can all be signs of magnesium deficiency.
An imbalance of copper and zinc is thought to contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders, and some studies have found that children with ADHD tend to have higher copper-to-zinc ratios compared to those without ADHD.
Copper and zinc have an important relationship in the body. They need to be appropriately balanced for optimal brain function. Zinc is involved in the regulation of neurotransmitters and has a calming effect on the nervous system, whereas copper tends to be excitatory. If there is an excess of copper and a deficiency in zinc (which is common when copper levels are high), it may promote an overactive nervous system, potentially worsening symptoms such as irritability, aggression and emotional instability.
Kryptopyrroles testing
Like the OAT, a kryptopyrroles test is a simple at-home urine test used to measure the levels of kryptopyrroles in the urine. Pyrrole Disorder is a genetic condition, commonly found in individuals with ADHD, related to the breakdown of haemoglobin in the body and the overproduction of kryptopyrroles as a byproduct. Children with Pyroluria may experience symptoms like unpredictable mood swings, temper tantrums (in younger children), anxiety, compulsive behaviour, short-term memory problems, and a sensitivity to light or sound.
The condition is linked to deficiencies in certain nutrients (such as zinc and vitamin B6) because kryptopyrroles can bind to these nutrients, depleting them in the body. Given the wide range of symptoms associated with pyroluria, testing is the most reliable way to confirm the condition, as many of these symptoms overlap with other disorders.
Performing the OAT, along with a hair mineral analysis and Kryptopyrroles test, is a very non-invasive way to gather valuable information about your child’s nutrient status, gut health and metabolic function. When combined, these tests provide a comprehensive view of your child's overall health and ADHD symptoms. By utilising these tests and working with a functional medicine practitioner, you can better understand your child's unique health needs and create a personalised plan to support their well-being. This may include positive dietary changes to boost key nutrients, gut-friendly foods, and a supplement plan to support them.
These tests can really help provide insight into your child's individual health from which a personalised plan and approach can be created. For while an ADHD diagnosis can help, every single child is amazingly unique and individual and so their nutrition plan needs to be too.
You can read more about our NeuroNourished Kids programme here or book a call today with Sophie who can discuss how to support you and your child further.
