Overview

Please see conventional, complementary, and alternative medical treatments for important background information regarding the different types of medical treatments discussed on this page. Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative treatments that may be considered include:

Etiology

Elevated urinary levels of 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypropionic (HPHPA) and other markers of dysbiotic overgrowth with Clostridium spp. are common in depression [GP2008].

Some practitioners have noted an association between hypothyroidism and depression (akinetic and agitated); treatment of these disorders appears to also benefit depression [DeGroot1996], [Zondek1944a], [Starr2005, pg 124].

Some practitioners have noted an association with inflammatory process mediated by homocysteine [Rogers2008, pg 9]. Note that the common diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) increases homocysteine levels [Westphal2003  🕮 ].

Diagnosis

  • Basal body temperature below 97.8 degrees F, elevated TSH, or depressed T3 (suggests hypothyroidism).
  •  >   
    Organic Acid Test (elevated markers for gut dysbiosis).

Differential Diagnosis

  •  >   
    Lyme Disease
  •  >   
    Dysthymia
  •  >   
    Bipolar Disorder
  •  >   
    Cyclothymia
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
  • Depression may be misdiagnosed when the underlying disorder is actually bipolar or cyclothymia, if only depressive states have been observed.
  •  >   
    Hypothyroidism
  •  >   
    Adrenal Insufficiency or Fatigue
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency [Pacholok2011].
  • Copper toxicity can cause depression; This may especially be a problem in "red-rock" areas of Arizona, where the soil/water may be high in copper.

Treatment

Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative Treatments

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

According to the Low Dose Naltrexone home page [LDN], LDN has been seen to benefit major depression.

See [Noon2016] [Mischoulon2017  🕮 ] [Amiaz1999]

Dr. Weyrich has been trained to use Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). However, Dr. Weyrich has not treated any cases of depression with LDN.

Please see What is Low Dose Naltrexone? for more information.

Neuro-Gen High-Performance Neuromodulation (HPN)

HPN has been reported to be useful for treating depression [Snook]. Dr. Weyrich has been trained to use Neuro-Gen High-Performance Neuromodulation system by it's inventor, Corey Snook. However, Dr. Weyrich has not treated any cases of depression with this technique.

Please see What is Neuro-Gen High-Performance Neuromodulation? for more information.

Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback has proven useful for treating depression. Dr. Weyrich has been certified in neurofeedback since 2008, and more recently completed an additional residency training program at ADD Clinic of Scottsdale, AZ. While at the ADD clinic, he treated numerous cases of ADD and ADHD.

Please see What is Neurofeedback? for more information.

Hormone Balancing

Depression may also be due to hormonal imbalances, especially post-partum depression. Dr. Weyrich is trained in balancing of both male and female hormonal imbalances using bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and herbal supplements.

Neurotransmitter Balancing

Neuro Research [Hinz2015] reports that depression can be benefited by balancing neurotransmitter levels in the body.

Dr. Weyrich has been trained in neurotransmitter balancing protocols, but has not treated depression using this technique.

Please see What is Neurotransmitter Balancing? for more information.

Very Low Dose Ketamine

There are some reports of the use of the prescription drug ketamine in treating depression [Ketamine_Advocacy]. This is an off-label use. Ketamine is classified by the DEA as a Schedule III Controlled Substance. Its on-label use is for inducing dissociative amnesia in the hospital surgical setting, in which case it is carefully metered in as an IV injection. [Palliative_Ketamine] presents guidelines for the use of ketamine to treat neuropathic pain, and recommends that ketamine should only be prescribed by "a doctor experienced in Pain Management or Palliative Care." In particular, concurrent use of extended release opiates is a relative contraindication, and all opioid doses must be reduced and the patient carefully monitored, especially during initiation of treatment and titrating up.

[Lara2013] has reported that very low dose (10mg) sublingual ketamine once per 2-7 days had a 77% response rate in cases of major depression.

Dr. Weyrich does not prescribe Ketamine.

Hypotheses

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has often been attributed to inadequate exposure to full-spectrum light (e.g. sunlight) in the winter. However, hypothyroidism is also associated with SAD, and it has been proposed that cold weather places additional demand on the thyroid [Starr2005, pg 103].

ICD-10

References