Case Study 11: FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND MIGRAINE, JOURNEY OF A 27 YEARS OLD GIRL

A young girl of age 27 years approached us with complaints of severe migraine. Her chief complaints were long duration and the frequency of migraine; she mentioned it appeared twice or four times a month and some cycles lasted for almost a week. The condition was so extreme that she was totally dependent on medicines to pass this entire migraine phase. She was earlier diagnosed with dyspraxia, had light and sound sensitivity & eczema. These all ailments and health issues made her life extremely difficult and stressful as she almost had to give up her career goals.

Her extensive testing was done to grasp the root cause of her ailments. Comprehensive test for stool, neurotransmitters and hormones were done along with significant blood investigations. She was also examined for heavy metal & trace mineral in the body.

Her blood results revealed peak in Total IgE (pic 1) level i.e.810.70 IU/mL (normal <378.00)  & de-arranged blood counts.

        Pic 1: Total Ig E report

Hormone results showed increased Prolactin 38.64 ng/mL (normal 2.80-29.20) and abnormal estrogen and progesterone ratio. Along with the above imbalances, she was found positive for Ebstein Barr Virus IgG i.e. 22.5 U/mL (normal <20) as well as for Candida IgG 1.5 U/mL (normal <0.9)

Her overall intoxication level was high (pic 2) – aluminum & cadmium were higher than normal; phosphorus, silicon & chromium were extremely low which indicated poor absorption of nutrients from the damaged gut.

    Pic 2: Heavy Metal Report

Food Intolerance IgG test results showed she was intolerant to multiple food items which are usually temporary and get reversed after the gut is healed.

Stool comprehensive analysis (pic 3)  showed low elastase -an indicator of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and hence digestive challenge and further accumulation of toxins, which lead to compromised liver function and compromised liver detox. Toxin accumulation if crosses blood brain barrier causes headaches.

Pic 3: Stool Comprehensive report

Neuroadvanced profile (pic 4) showed imbalance in the most critical neurotransmitters; lower level of tryptophan, 5-HIAA, GABA, Glutamine, Histidine, N-Methylhistamine, Tyrosine, Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, Kynurenine, Kynurenic acid, Xanthurenic acid & 3-Hydroxykynurenine and high PEA.

Pic 4: Neurotransmitter report

GABA is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter which is critical for healthy brain function and her reports show low GABA which is a clear indicator of poor brain function.

Low Glutamine is associated with high oxidative stress.

N-Methylhistamine is a major metabolite of neurotransmitter histamine.

Norepinephrine & Epinephrine functions both as a neurotransmitter and as a hormone. Its lower level may contribute to poor focus, alertness and poor cognitive functions.

Kynurenine is useful for production of niacin (vitamin B3) in body. It plays pivotal role in energy metabolism, gene expression, cell death & regulation of calcium homeostasis. Low kynurenine level may alter all the above.

On the basis of the test results and overall assessment, her treatment protocol was prepared for 6 months. This included nutraceuticals, gut rejuvenation therapy, naturally compounded bio-identical hormonal therapy, detox therapies, specific nutrients to balance out her imbalanced minerals and neurotransmitters in the body, specialized diet plan.

After 6 months of continue treatment, her body responded positively as she reported of very less migraine attacks ( once in two months or none at all) and also the duration dropped down to a day or a half that too without any medicine. Also her gut health improved and she feels better overall physically as well as psychologically.