Probiotic Sensitivity

Summary

Profound elevation of 5-HIA suggests a bowel-specific serotonin syndrome that is producing a hypersensitivity to changes in the bacterial colonies of the gut.

This content was created by the Metametrix Institute

History

This 47-year-old female was a practicing acupuncturist who has had growing difficulties with debilitating symptoms including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep disturbances. She had noticed significant improvements in her symptoms following courses of Augmentin or Cipro, but the improvements were always short term.  She had been taking 200 mg of 5-hydroxytryptophan to assist sleep for the past few months. The use of any probiotic product produced diarrhea and cramping.

Age

47

Gender

Female

Description of Results

Her urinary organic acids showed only a few compounds out of normal ranges.

Even the panel of markers related to intestinal bacterial and yeast overgrowth were normal. However, there was a profound elevation of the serotonin catabolic product, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. We note also the biotin insufficiency indicated by elevated b-hydroxyisovalerate as a factor consistent with unstable intestinal flora because of the strong contribution of normal flora to sustaining of tissue biotin levels.

Recommendations

Other Comments

Serotonin production is most active in the gut where it acts to control motility. It is possible that intestinal serotonin is so stimulated in this woman that even slight shifts in bacterial populations caused by a single capsule of organisms that are normally favorable to the human gut produce signals that hyper-stimulate motility. When the populations are reduced by intestinally active antibiotics her symptoms are improved.
She should stop the use of 5-HTP so that serotonin levels can normalize, then the metabolic situation may be assessed for contributing factors to the other, chronic symptoms.