A mother brought in her 5 year old son with complaints of total body alopecia, muscle and joint aches and pains, fatigue, malaise, mild depression, decreased appetite, disrupted sleep, anemia, skin paleness, and abdominal pain with bloating and gas.  After conventional medical evaluation and testing by the pediatrician and a pediatric endocrinologist, alopecia totalis was diagnosed and steroids were recommended.

                The mother decided to search out alternatives to steroid treatment, which she refused to try.  Nutrition testing (outside the office) included stool analysis that revealed H. Pylori infection.   Organic acid testing outside the office (by urinalysis) revealed extremely low amino acid levels, multiple B vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and oxidative and adrenal stress.  Blood tests for food allergies (outside the office) revealed multiple food sensitivities including a severe sensitivity to fructose.

                The patient was referred to the pediatrician with the test results and prescribed triple therapy (which includes antibiotics) to treat the H. Pylori infection.  Botanical treatment was prescribed to help completely eradicate the H. Pylori infection.  Vitamin, mineral, custom amino acid and antioxidant formulas were also prescribed.  Dietary recommendations were recommended.

                Within three months of treatment, the child had complete resolution of his symptoms.  The child’s hair grew back, his appetite returned, his body grew, and his aches and pains disappeared.

                H. Pylori can cause stomach ulcers and cancer.  It can also cause gut inflammation, and in this case, decrease absorption of essential nutrients needed to support health and growth (including hair).    Amino acids are the key ingredients in hormones and brain neurotransmitters.  Deficiency can lead to hair loss, disturbed sleep, and fatigue, as well as many other symptoms.  Oxidative stress can be elevated by infection and inflammation and cause alopecia.  Fructose intolerance has also been linked to alopecia.