Description
According to research, individuals with ADHD may commonly exhibit deficiencies in nutrients like iron, zinc, magnesium, Vitamin D, and Omega-3 fatty acids based on blood tests, with low levels of these minerals potentially contributing to ADHD symptoms; however, it's important to note that a deficiency alone does not necessarily cause ADHD and a comprehensive evaluation is needed to diagnose the condition.
This panel includes the following test:
Ferritin
Iron w/ TIBC
Magnesium
Omegacheck
Reticulocyte
TSH
Vitamin B12/Folate
Vitamin D
Zinc
Fasting not required.
Additional information about each test is listed below:
Ferritin is important for people with ADHD because research suggests a potential link between low ferritin levels (indicating low iron stores) and the severity of ADHD symptoms, as iron plays a crucial role in brain function, particularly in dopamine production, which is implicated in attention and focus, and low iron levels may contribute to ADHD symptoms like inattentiveness and impulsivity; therefore, monitoring ferritin levels can be helpful in managing ADHD and identifying potential nutritional deficiencies that might be impacting symptoms.
Checking iron levels, particularly in conjunction with a TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity) test, is important for individuals with ADHD because low iron levels can significantly contribute to ADHD symptoms like difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, as iron plays a crucial role in dopamine production, a neurotransmitter vital for attention and focus in the brain; therefore, iron deficiency could potentially worsen ADHD symptoms.
Magnesium is a trace mineral that may help with ADHD symptoms by regulating brain function and neurotransmitters. Magnesium deficiency is linked to ADHD symptoms like irritability, lack of concentration, and sleep disturbances.
An "OmegaCheck" for someone with ADHD is important because research suggests that individuals with ADHD often have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood, which can contribute to symptoms like difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and impulsivity; therefore, checking omega-3 levels can help identify a potential area for nutritional intervention to potentially alleviate ADHD symptoms by supplementing with omega-3s if necessary.
A reticulocyte count checks to see if your bone marrow is making the right amount of red blood cells when old ones die off. If you have too few, your tissues may not get enough oxygen. If you have too many, you could be at risk for blood clots or other health concerns.
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is important for people with ADHD because thyroid hormone levels, which are regulated by TSH, play a critical role in brain development and function, and imbalances in thyroid hormones can significantly impact symptoms associated with ADHD, including difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and impulsivity; essentially, abnormal TSH levels can potentially worsen existing ADHD symptoms or even mimic them in some individuals.
Vitamin B12 and folate are important for individuals with ADHD because they play a crucial role in brain development and function by supporting the methylation process, which is critical for neurotransmitter synthesis, and deficiencies in these vitamins may be linked to some ADHD symptoms like difficulty focusing and impulsivity; research suggests that supplementing with these vitamins could potentially improve cognitive function in some ADHD cases.
Vitamin D is important for individuals with ADHD because research suggests a potential link between low vitamin D levels and increased ADHD symptoms, with studies showing that people with ADHD often have lower serum vitamin D concentrations, indicating that supplementing with vitamin D may help alleviate some ADHD symptoms; however, more robust research is needed to fully understand the causal relationship and optimal dosage for treatment.
Zinc and iron are associated with dopamine metabolism, prompting researchers to investigate the relationship between these vitamins and ADHD symptoms.
