Pyroluria

What is Pyroluria

Pyroluria also is known as Pyrrole Disorder, Kryptopyrrole, Kryptopyrroluria, Mauve Factor and Hemepyrrole, is considered by some a mental health condition, but in truth, it is the abnormal synthesis and metabolism of the haem carrying molecules. [read more]

Symptoms of Pyroluria

Deficiencies of B6 and zinc are associated with a wide range of emotional and psychiatric problems. Nervousness, extreme irritability, anxiety, depression, short-term memory problems, and explosive anger have all been linked to pyroluria.

A large percentage of patients with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia exhibit high levels of pyroles; alcoholics and emotionally disturbed children also tend to have an abnormally high pyrrole count.

In addition, zinc deficiencies have been associated with a number of physiological disorders, including poor immune function, poor growth, and delayed sexual development. Because zinc and B6 are so important to both our overall physical and mental health, identifying and treating this devastating condition is critical. [read more]

What causes Pyroluria

Pyroluria is a genetically acquired chemical imbalance in which the body produces an abnormally large number of pyrroles. A pyrolle is a chemical consisting of a 5 membered aromatic ring. These chemicals are the byproduct of hemoglobin synthesis and have no known function in the body; they are normally excreted in the urine. Most people have very few pyrroles in their system at any given time; certain individuals, however, have an unusually high number of pyrroles in their bodies, resulting in a condition known as pyroluria.

Also known as Mauve Factor (due to the mauve color visible on testing paper during urinalysis) or pyrrole disorder, pyroluria occurs when the pyrroles bind to pyroxidine (vitamin B6) and zinc, causing these vital nutrients to be excreted from the body in large amounts. [read more]

Why Test for Pyroluria

People with multiple Pyroluria symptoms may indeed suffer from Pyroluria, but the symptoms may also be caused by straight zinc, vitamin B6 or biotin deficiency and not Pyroluria. Alternatively, health conditions such as dysbiosis, candida, leaky gut syndrome, adrenal fatigue, insomnia and excessive stress can mimic many of the symptoms of Pyroluria. [read more]