Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Dr. Weyrich's Naturopathic Functional Medicine Notebook

Overview

Mitochondrial Dysfunction is a functional diagnosis, for which conventional medicine has identified no causative mechanism. It appears to be associated with a variety of different diseases, including:

• Low thyroid function,
• Chronic fatigue syndrome,
• Fibromyalgia.

Etiology

Among the possible causes of mitochondrial dysfunction that have been advanced, the following appear to be most important:

• Low thyroid function - T4 and T3 thyroid hormones increase the number and activity of mitochondria [Guyton2000, pg 861; Starr2005, pg 55]. Mitochondria are the primary source of energy in most cells of the human body.
• Heavy metal toxicity.
• Functional deficiency of ribose (building block of ATP).
• Functional deficiency of carnitine (needed to carry fatty acids into mitochondria to be converted to energy).
• Functional deficiency of CoQ10 (essential to the operation of the electron transport chain inside mitochondria). Note that statin drugs that are used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood also suppress the body's production of CoQ10.
• Genetic deterioriation of mitochondrial DNA due to reduction in evolutionary pressure [Starr2005, pg 56]. Note that mitochondrial DNA is distinct from the 23 pair of somatic chromosomes inherited from the mother and the father - since sperm cells have no mitochondria, all the child's mitochondrial DNA is derived from the mother's ovum. Studies of mitochondrial DNA across racial groups suggests that mitochondrial DNA is quite stable, which argues against significant genetic deterioration over the course of a few generations.

Diagnosis

• Basal Body Temperature (depressed if hypothyroid)
• Heavy metal urinalysis with provocation.
• Dr. Weyrich hypothesizes: Organic Acid Test (elevated markers for gut dysbiosis).

Treatment

• Treat hypothyroid if present.
• Supplement CoQ10, acetly-L-Carnitine, and D-Ribose.
• Heavy metal chelation if indicated.
• Dr. Weyrich hypothesizes: supplement with malic acid if Organic Acid Test shows that urine tartaric acid is elevated [Russell1995].

Hypotheses

Dr. Weyrich notes that many disorders, including chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia are associated both with hypothyroidism and yeast dysbiosis. The Organic Acid Test described by [GP] and [Shaw2008] suggests a link between dysbiosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. In particuar, the following metabolites of yeast or fungal metabolism may be elevated in cases of disbiosis:

• Tartaric acid (3-hydroxymalic acid or 2,3-hydroxy-succinic acid) - An analog of the Krebs cycle intermediate malic acid that inhibits the Krebs cycle enzyme fumarase that converts fumaric acid to malic acid.
• Citramalic (methylmalic) acid - An analog of the Krebs cycle compound malic acid; may interfere with the production of malic acid in the Krebs cycle.
• 3-Oxoglutaric acid - An analog of the Krebs cycle compound 2-oxoglutaric (alpha-ketoglutaric) acid; may interfere with the Krebs cycle.

The important point here is that the Kreb's cycle is found exclusively in the mitochondria and is critical to the function of the mitochondria in production of ATP. Thus, one of the direct consequences of yeast or fungal dysbiosis may be mitochondrial dysfunction.

It follows that dysbiosis may be the underlying cause of mitochondrial dysfunction, and the protocol [Starr2005] describes for treatment of what he calls type-II hypothyroidism is compensating for impaired mitochondrial function by inducing proliferation of mitochondria through the use of supraphysiologic levels of thyroid hormone. While this approach may have the benefit of boosting the immune system to help the body clear the dysbiosis, a naturopathic approach to treating the root cause must not lose sight of the underlying cause - dysbiosis.

ICD-9 Codes

ICD9-Code	Description	Comments

---

References

Unless specifically noted above, references used in the construction of this web page include the following:

[FDM] Lecture notes from Functional Medicine University.

[SCNM] Lecture notes from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.

[UT] Lecture notes from the University of Tennessee graduate programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry.

[GP] Great Plains Laboratory Physician Training lecture notes and documentation.

[Guyton2000] Aurthur C. Guyton & John E. Hall. Textbook of Medical Physiology, Tenth Edition. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders (2000).

[Russell1995] Russell IJ, Michalek JE, Flechas JD, Abraham GE. Treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome with Super Malic: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, crossover pilot study. J Rheumatol. 1995 May;22(5):953-8. [Shaw2008] Shaw W. Biological Treatments for Autism & PDD, Third Edition. (2008).

[Starr2005] Mark Starr. Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic. Columbia, MO: Mark Starr Trust (2005).

[Wallace1997] Wallace D. Mitochondrial DNA in aging and disease. Scientific American. August 1997. Cited by [Starr2005].

---

Copyright © 2007-2010 Dr. Weyrich (Naturopathic Medical license number 07-1008). The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or illness. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This web page is http://www.DrWeyrich.com/disorders/mitochondria.html   -   Phone Dr. Weyrich at (480) 423-6952