Have you encountered a trip to the doctor for your child where you left with more questions than answers? This is a common scenario when parents seek a comprehensive approach for their child with ADHD. While pharmaceutical interventions have a time and place, many parents feel uncertain about the options available for their kids. Data shows that 92% of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD are recommended stimulant medication as a first-line therapy. With a limited range of treatment options, there is a growing interest in holistic approaches to support children with ADHD. Functional medicine is an integrative healthcare model that may help provide additional insights and support personalized care for children.
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How Can Functional Medicine Benefit The Evaluation and Support of Children With ADHD?
Functional medicine takes a comprehensive look into health factors to create supportive options for children with ADHD. The benefits of functional medicine are that practitioners in this field utilize comprehensive labs, clinical expertise, and natural interventions. When children present to their pediatrician or behavior specialist with signs and symptoms of ADHD, the doctor will typically prescribe a medication to manage the symptoms and/or recommend therapy for behavior modification. Functional medicine providers may utilize these modalities but will also explore potential contributing factors. Nutrient levels, food sensitivities, and environmental factors can all play a role in the presentation of ADHD. Testing for these areas can allow the practitioner to take an integrative health approach. When a singular approach with a drug is taken to manage an undesirable behavior, we risk that nutrient levels and dietary implications may go unaddressed. Exploring potential contributing factors can help identify what is manageable through lifestyle modification and what may require further intervention.
Top 6 Functional Medicine Lab Tests for Children with ADHD
Functional medicine testing can provide insights into underlying imbalances in the body. Here are tests to consider when looking for a holistic approach to supporting children with ADHD.
Comprehensive Stool Test
Through the gut-brain connection, the health of a child's microbiome can impact neurocognitive function. An imbalanced gut microflora may be associated with neurotransmitter imbalances, which can be seen in ADHD. The Gut Zoomers 3.0 test provides an overview of a child's microbiome. This will detect both the presence of healthy microorganisms and other microbes. Information from this test can help guide a gut health protocol.
Micronutrient Panel
Nutrient levels can contribute to symptoms of ADHD. Measuring a child’s Omega-3 index through an Omega-3 Index Complete blood spot test will reveal if there is a balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory omegas.
Food Sensitivity Testing
Delayed sensitivity food reactions can impact many people's health. Regarding children with ADHD, there has been a link between various food categories and the signs and symptoms of this condition. One way to explore potential food sensitivities is to do a blood spot IgG Food Sensitivity panel.
Food Additives Test
Studies show a link between additives in foods and their potential impact on neurocognitive behaviors. Two ingredients in particular are artificial dyes and sodium benzoate. Research has also shown that a combination of sodium benzoate and synthetic dyes may have a compounded impact.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are present in our environment. They can be found in food, water, and industrial and farming practices. If you are chronically exposed to these, it can become concerning due to bioaccumulation (buildup) in the body. A common testing method for heavy metals is a hair analysis test, one of which is offered by Doctor's Data. This Hair Elements test will analyze 30 elements, revealing whether there is a heavy metal presence in the body.
Environmental Toxins
Chemicals in our environment that children may frequently be exposed to can impact their health. Environmental toxin levels can be measured through a Total Tox-Burden test, which includes exposures such as BPA, DMAP, lead, and phthalates. All of which have been studied in relation to ADHD.
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How Do The Lab Results Affect ADHD Support Plans?
Laboratory results can assist practitioners in understanding imbalances in the body. Whether this is a food sensitivity that is associated with inflammation in the body, dysbiosis potentially causing gut issues and neurotransmitter disruption, or heavy metal presence, there are integrative approaches to addressing these factors. Integrative ADHD support plans can consist of individualized diet regimens. Since artificial dyes and food additives may impact children and adolescents, potentially contributing to hyperactivity and behavioral symptoms, creating a custom nutrition plan that considers these ingredients may be beneficial. Nutritional approaches for ADHD may also include vitamin, mineral, and fatty acid focus to help support neurocognitive function. The great thing about integrative medicine is that it takes all of these aspects and combines them to support the child holistically.
How Often Do Tests Need To Be Rerun?
Reassessment of labs is an objective way to determine if the patient is benefiting from their support plan. Depending on the needed depth of intervention, some patients may need more extended periods before tests are repeated. Working with kids can sometimes be challenging because compliance is often a delicate balancing act. In general, bi-annual testing of micronutrients is common. For heavy metals, environmental toxins, and a gut analysis, it depends on how the patient's symptoms are presenting.
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Summary
Utilizing functional medicine as a complement to conventional medicine may provide you and your child with more insights. The testing options for ADHD in this field aim to explore potential contributing factors. This information and the child’s clinical picture allow the practitioner to create a custom support plan addressing bodily factors that may manifest into signs and symptoms. In functional medicine, there is much to gain in optimizing the health of those with ADHD.
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