Case 7: MANAGEMENT OF AUTISM WITH FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

An autistic child age 14 years approached us with high functioning autism where the child had severe attention deficit disorder, had lack of concentration, excessive irritability, aggressiveness, temper, minimal communication skills, poor eye contact, flapping of hands & legs when excited, regressive/defensive attitude with peers.

Child underwent intensive investigations which included heavy metal toxicity, food intolerance, nutritional deficiency, neurotransmitter profile, stool comprehensive, organix acid testing, hair analysis for heavy metals and oligoscan. 

Child was found positive for candida Ig E and Ig G,  also high EBV antibody titer, high total IgE @ 274IU/mL. His urine toxic metal results showed Lead and Bismuth toxicity. 

Stool comprehensive analysis (pic1) showed imbalanced commensal i.e. 2+ Hemolytic Escherichia coli, +1 Klebsiella pneumonia ssppneumoniae turns dysbiotic when immunity is low.

Lysozyme was found to be high(Pic2) i.e. 661ng/mL (normal is <600), this indicates digestive insufficiency and leads to inflammation in GI tract. 

Short chain fatty acids play an important role in the health of the gut as well as protecting against intestinal dysbiosis- valerate, butyrate, total SCFA’s were found outside the normal range.(Pic 3)

Giardia duodenis and Intestinal yeast were found positive. Giardia intestinalis may last for months and years if not treated and thus get more difficult to treat and hence can lead to mal-absorption syndrome, weight loss, general weakness and fatigue and can release toxins which leak out of gut and can cause Neuro-autoimmunity.

Intestinal yeast overgrowth can lead to detrimental effects like brain fog, fatigue, recurring bladder infections, sensitivity to smells (perfumes, chemicals, environment), mood swings/depression, sugar and carbohydrate cravings, gas/bloating, and constipation or loose stools.

His organix comprehensive test (Pic 4) results showed abnormal findings with high levels kynuverate, Orotate, benzoate, xanthurenate, p-hydroxyphenylacetate and low levels of homovanillate, vanilmandelate.

The neuro-advanced profile(Pic 5) reflected high serotonin which is associated with anxiety, celiac disease, IBS, and irritability. Also Histamine and PEA were high.

Histamine is a neurotransmitter and modulator of the immune system that has anti-pain properties, plays a neuro-protective role in the brain and contributes to optimal maintenance of cognition and memory. High PEA is suspected in the etiology of anxiety, inflammation, inability to focus, sleep difficulties and toxicity.

Glutamate was low which plays vital role in regulating appetite, thinking, optimizes learning and modulates memory. Low urinary glutamate may contribute to agitation, depression, and chronic fatigue, lack of concentration, low energy levels and sleep difficulties. 

Also Nor-epinephrine was low which functions both as a neurotransmitter and a hormone, participating in body’s fight and flight response. 

Child was put on Intravenous chelation, high dose vitamin C, oral chelation, diet free of gluten, casein, and sugar was advised, supplement with deficient minerals, vitamins and amino acids for neurotransmitter balancing, detox enemas, ozonated saline therapy, intravenous autologous stem cell therapy.

Child showed remarkable improvement in terms of calmness, reduced anxiety, negligible aggressiveness, improved focus, concentration and attention, almost negligible repetition of behaviour, have developed emotions towards parents and others in the family.

Child went on to win gold medal for India in special Olympics tournament held in Las Vegas in the year 2015. Child has now become extremely independent by having good communication with his golf team, his instructor, his support staff and parents.