Pyroluria: The Hidden Link to Anxiety, ADHD, and Nutrient Deficiencies
Could Pyroluria Be the Missing Link in Your Child’s Anxiety or ADHD?
Mama, if you're here, I want to start by saying, I see you. I was you.
I know what it feels like to watch your child struggle with big feelings, constant overwhelm, or difficulty focusing… and feel helpless because nothing seems to truly help. A few years ago, my child was battling intense anxiety and symptoms that mirrored ADHD. At that point, we had already done so much; we’d moved out of mold, was already on a whole foods diet, completed parasite cleanses and mold detoxes (even with the heavy-duty binders), and eliminated screen time completely. It felt like we were checking every box and doing all the right things… yet the struggles were still very real. Eventually, we were told that medication might be our next step, and while I have deep respect for every parent’s path, something in me knew there had to be another layer we hadn’t uncovered yet.
I wasn’t content with just managing the symptoms, I wanted to know why they were happening in the first place. That’s when I stumbled across something I’d never heard of before: pyroluria.
What I Discovered About Pyroluria
Pyroluria (also known as pyrrole disorder) is a lesser-known condition where the body makes too many compounds called pyrroles. These pyrroles latch onto critical nutrients like vitamin B6 and zinc, and basically rob the body of them. The result? Deficiencies that directly affect the brain, mood, and nervous system.
Once I started digging in, it was like puzzle pieces began falling into place. The mood swings, sensory overwhelm, emotional outbursts, trouble focusing; all of it suddenly made more sense. And when we started addressing it from the root, real healing began.
How Pyroluria Can Impact Anxiety + ADHD Symptoms
1. Low B6 = Trouble Making Feel-Good Brain Chemicals
Vitamin B6 is essential for making neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, those mood-balancing, focus-enhancing chemicals our kids need to thrive. Without enough B6, it’s easy to see more irritability, impulsivity, and anxious behavior.
2. Zinc Deficiency = Foggy Brains + Big Emotions
Zinc is crucial for brain development and emotional regulation. A lack of it can show up as difficulty concentrating, sensory sensitivities, or emotional meltdowns over what seem like “small” things.
3. High Oxidative Stress = Inflammation in the Brain
Pyroluria often comes with increased oxidative stress (aka internal inflammation). That inflammation can interfere with how the brain processes stress, focus, and emotional responses.
4. Low Stress Tolerance = Struggles with Daily Life
If your child is easily overwhelmed, has trouble bouncing back from stress, or seems “on edge” all the time—pyroluria might be playing a part.
Signs to Watch For
These were some of the signs we saw (and that many parents miss):
Chronic anxiety or social anxiety
Mood swings and irritability
Poor stress tolerance
Poor anger control
Difficulty focusing and memory issues
Sensitivity to noise and light
Frequent infections and weakened immunity
Joint pain or poor wound healing
White spots on nails (a sign of zinc deficiency)
How Do You Test for Pyroluria?
It’s actually a simple urine test that looks for kryptopyrroles. When high levels of kryptopyrroles circulate in the body, it binds with Vitamin B6 and zinc causing them to be depleted faster and preventing their use in the brain and body. If you or your child resonate with any of the symptoms above, it might be worth getting tested for. If testing is not an option right now, I highly recommend answering this questionnaire and running a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis test (which can give us clues).
What Helped Us Heal Naturally
Healing our child’s body and brain didn’t happen overnight, but with patience, intention, and a lot of trial and error, we found our rhythm. Here’s what made the biggest difference for us:
1. Replenishing Nutrients Gently and Consistently
We focused on B6 and zinc through food (think seeds, greens, fish, and poultry) and carefully chosen supplements. But every child is different, it’s so important to tailor the approach.
2. Nourishing Brain Chemistry Daily
Nature time, protein-rich meals, laughter, movement, and regular sleep routines made a huge difference. These rhythms became non-negotiable parts of our days.
3. Lowering Inflammation Through Food
We swapped processed snacks for home-cooked meals rich in antioxidants, berries, leafy greens, colorful veggies. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about consistency.
4. Still Limiting Screen Time
This one is getting more and more difficult as a homeschooling mom because my daughters (10 and 9) are taking some online courses so for non-school related screen time we set the limit to one hour per week. They choose how to use it across the week. We also use blue light blockers when they do get screen time, and the change in their mood and sleep was amazing.
5. Testing, Not Guessing
Last but not least, functional testing. Testing gave us clear answers and helped us stop spinning our wheels. We could finally see what our child actually needed, not just what sounded good from a influencer mom on instagram.
Ending with this..
If your heart is telling you there’s more to your child’s story, listen to it. You’re not imagining things. You’re not “overreacting.” And you’re definitely not alone.
If this resonates with you and you’re ready to dig deeper, I’d love to help. Fill out an application here to get started, and together, we’ll create a personalized plan to restore balance and support your health naturally.
