MTHFR Support

Histadelia vs. Histapenia

Histadelia vs. Histapenia

Share This Post

Histadelia vs. Histapenia: Does the Pfeiffer protocol always make sense?

Understanding Your Histamine Blood Test Results

Histamine is most popularly known for its role in allergic and inflammatory processes, including immediate and delayed hypersensitivity immune reactions. It also serves as a neurotransmitter like serotonin and dopamine, and is therefore involved in alertness, arousal, learning, memory, regulation of appetite, and pain perception. Another of its many important roles is the regulation of the function of the gastrointestinal tract.

Because of its numerous functions, an imbalance of histamine levels in the body can lead to wide ranging adverse effects from something as simple as itching, hives, sneezing or runny nose to asthma, period pain, shortness of breath and elevated oestrogen levels.

Histadelia = High Histamine = UNDERmethylation

According to Karl Pfeiffer (and now Bill Walsh) The normal blood histamine range as per Pfeiffer protocol is 33-65 ng/ml. Histadelia pertains to high blood histamine levels although according to Pfeiffer, the reading must at least be 70ng/ml to qualify as histadelia. In Australia our range is >.6 umol/l.

High histamine is usually brought about by metabolic imbalances that results from many factors like lack of B6 that acts as a cofactor to convert histadine to histamine, gut bugs that cause elevated histamine,  ingested histamine, oestrogen levels (high estrogen will elevate histamine levels and high histamine can elevate estrogen levels) so there is so much more to histamine levels than just methylation.

Sure if someone doesn’t have enough SAMe (s-adenosylmethionine) then the cofactor for HNMT isn’t there to breakdown intracellular histamine levels and HNMT greatly affects respiratory histamine levels.

Ok so this makes sense, however where I think the Pfeiffer protocol falls down is that methylation only affects intracellular histamine levels via the HNMT (histamine N-methyltransferase) it does not take into consideration extracellular histamine breakdown via DAO (diamine oxidase). Also histamine receptors 1 to 4 can also impact neurological histamine levels.

As you can see below there are many enzymes that degrade histamine and HNMT is methyl dependant but DAO is not. So we need to be reviewing all histamine degrading enzymes and their cofactors.

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/85/5/1185/F2.expansion.html

When the blood contains high amounts of histamine, some of the excess gets stored in the brain. This is primarily due to the action of the histamine receptors, especially histamine receptor 3. In the brain, histamine can interrupt the release of important neurotransmitters which include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Serotonin and dopamine are the chemicals that contribute to feelings of happiness and well-being. Norepinephrine, on the other hand, is responsible for memory, attention, arousal, alertness, and vigilance. Low levels of any one of these neurotransmitters can cause some people to exhibit various psychological and behavioral symptoms like aggressiveness, hyperactivity, compulsivity, perfectionism, and over-competitiveness. Some symptoms of depression like crying often and thinking about suicide may also be observed. Physical symptoms are also common, with the usual ones being allergies, headaches, and increased sensitivity to pain.

Supportive nutrients and cofactors are key and we need B6, calcium, copper , zinc, , FAD, Tetrahydrofolate, vitamin C, NAD, B1 and SAM for us to effectively breakdown histamine levels. Calcium, in particular, facilitates the release of excess histamine into the bloodstream. Some forms of buffered vitamin C may also be prescribed to enhance the effect of calcium. It can take about three to six months for histamine levels to normalize. If treatment is discontinued halfway, symptoms return.

Histapenia = Low Histamine = OVERmethylation

Histapenia, according to Pfeiffer  is characterized by low blood histamine levels of 27.6ng/ml for females and 20.2ng/ml for males. And according to Pfeiffer it is related to overmethylation. However again there are many cofactors and nutrients and sure if we have too much SAM then we may be breaking intracellular histamine down too much but we would also need excessive amounts of FAD, zinc, vitamin C, NAD, B1 as well. We are only considering intracellular histamine levels and also not taking into consideration the excitatory nature of an overdose of ingested histamine affecting the DAO enzyme.

Aside from stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, another role of histamine in the brain is to counteract the effects of dopamine and filter sensory data going to the brain. Too little histamine means dopamine levels will be elevated and this may result in anxiety, paranoia, being suspicious, and hallucinations.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3389384/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK28245/

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/85/5/1185.long

As you can see above in this article by Maintz, histamine has far reaching effects on the body. I think the Pfeiffer protocol which says high histamine = undermethylation and low histamine means overmethylation is too simplistic. I also don’t believe there is any such thing as ‘overmethylation’ . I think these people produce the same amount of methyls as the next person but they can’t utilise them effectively so I would prefer to use the term underutilisation.

So when considering histamine levels and methylation we need to be looking at the big picture. Many factors affect histamine breakdown and production and its not all about methylation.

You might like to listen to my histamine webinar

References:

Harpas, M. (2013). Elevated Histamine Levels Cause Undermethylation. Retrieved August 23, 2016 from http://naturalhealthmedicine.com.au

http://naturalhealthmedicine.com.au/elevated-histamine-levels-cause-undermethylation/

Histamine (Rep.). (2013). Retrieved August 23, 2016 from http://www.biolab.co.uk

http://www.biolab.co.uk/docs/histamine.pdf

Jackson, J. A., Riordan, H. D., Neathery, S. & Revard, C. (1998). Histamine Levels in Health and Disease. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, 13(4), 236-240.

(PDF: https://riordanclinic.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/89023762_jom.pdf)

Jackson, J. A., Riordan, H. D., Neathery, S. & Krier, C. (2006). Blood Basophils and Histamine Levels in Patients. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, 21(2), 107-108.

(PDF: http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/2006/pdf/2006-v21n02-p107.pdf)

Kaslow, J. E. (n.d.). Under-methylation/HISTADELIA. Retrieved August 26, 2016 from http://www.drkaslow.com

https://www.drkaslow.com/histadelia

Larson, J. M. (n.d.). The Ups and Downs of Abnormal Brain Histamine. Retrieved August 23, 2016 from  http://www.joanmathewslarson.com  

http://www.joanmathewslarson.com/HRC_2006/Depression_06/D_roller_coaster.htm

Reid, J. C. (n.d.). Ease Anxiety and Depression Simple Lab tests which may change your life!. Retrieved August 23, 2016, from http://carriagehousemedicine.com

http://carriagehousemedicine.com/services/ease-anxiety-depression/

Walsh, W. J. (n.d.) Biochemical Individuality and Nutrition. Retrieved August 23, 2016 from

http://www.walshinstitute.org

http://www.walshinstitute.org/biochemical-individuality–nutrition.html

Related Posts

What is MTHFR?
Genes

What is MTHFR?

The MTHFR gene is responsible for the production of its enzyme MTHFR, which stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. The MTHFR enzyme converts folate, in the presence ...
Read More →
Folate or Folic?
Genes

Folate or Folic?

You say folate, I say folic acid… let’s call the whole thing off?  Paraphrasing the famous lyrics may help us remember that similar sounding words ...
Read More →
Keto White Chocolate Rocket Fuel Latte
MTHFR

Keto White Chocolate Rocket Fuel Latte

Ingredients: 240g/8 oz brewed decaf or regular coffee or your favorite tea 1 Tbsp liquid MCT oil or powdered MCT oil or coconut oil 1 ...
Read More →
How does MTHFR affect your fertility?
Genes

How does MTHFR affect your fertility?

As soon as you plan to get pregnant, it’s pretty normal that you want to know as much as you can about the whole process ...
Read More →
Grilled Asparagus with Warm Tomato Dressing
MTHFR

Grilled Asparagus with Warm Tomato Dressing

Ingredients: 1 medium tomato (150g) finely chopped (leave out if allergic) 1 clove of garlic, crushed 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp finely chopped ...
Read More →
Genes And B12 Deficiency
Genes

Genes And B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 is essential to human health. However, some people have inherited conditions that leave them unable to process vitamin B12. As a result they ...
Read More →
Scroll to Top
Carolyn Ledowsky

Stay Connected!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter with current MTHFR research, health tips, recipes, special offers and news about upcoming events including Carolyn’s live Q&A.

Subscribe