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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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8 Year Old Showing ASD And ADHD Symptoms. Reduced Growth. Glutamine Supplements Making Hyper Active. Does He Have Insufficient GABA?

Hello, My son at 8 has been getting shorter - what I mean is that 2 he was at the 90th percentile. At 3 he stopped growing for almost a whole year, at which time he fell to 30th percentile. At this time he also began displaying ASD and ADHD symptoms. Upon receiving medication ( guanfacine ) at 5 he went up a bit to 40th percentile. Everytime he has an increase in medicine, he has a slight increase in height. But as he is getting more mature and learning self-control, the increases are less frequent (up to 2.25 mg/day now). But his height is now at the 25%. I should also like to say that he is not inattentive - he is severely hyperactive impulsive. Glutamine supplements made him super severely hyper withith 30 mins or so of taking them. It seems to me there is a problem in his GABA-glutamine-glutamate cycle so that he has insufficient GABA. Would a GABA supplement help with growth, calming, etc. Would it be safe to try taking before bed so as not to interfere with guanfacine?
Sat, 12 Jan 2013
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Pediatrician 's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

Though you have given a detailed description of the growth issues with your son you have not mentioned whether growth hormone investigations were done on him and what were the results. In my opinion he should be investigated for growth hormone deficiency and treated appropriated. You may continue Guanfacine for his ADHD but give glutamine supplements only under medical supervision after it has been confirmed that he has an insufficiency of GABA-glutamine-glutamate cycle.

I hope I have responded to your query to your satisfaction.

Wishing your son all the best.

Regards,

RKK
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8 Year Old Showing ASD And ADHD Symptoms. Reduced Growth. Glutamine Supplements Making Hyper Active. Does He Have Insufficient GABA?

Hi, Thank you for your query. Though you have given a detailed description of the growth issues with your son you have not mentioned whether growth hormone investigations were done on him and what were the results. In my opinion he should be investigated for growth hormone deficiency and treated appropriated. You may continue Guanfacine for his ADHD but give glutamine supplements only under medical supervision after it has been confirmed that he has an insufficiency of GABA-glutamine-glutamate cycle. I hope I have responded to your query to your satisfaction. Wishing your son all the best. Regards, RKK