Porphyria is a build up of toxins in the blood due to a heem pathway dysregulation. Porphyria are iron-containing heme which permits hemoglobin oxygen transportation in the blood. It is triggered by many things including fasting, genetics, nutrient imbalance, rapid detoxification, candida, Lyme, viruses, mold, heavy metals, glyphosate and other toxic insult. The technical name is Kryptopyrroles porphyrins, also referred to as Kryptopyrroluria (KPU).

This also triggers mast cell activation. Mast cells are types of white blood cells that help to regulate the immune system. Mast cells can determine how our bodies react to environmental triggers like sugar, pesticides, perfume, pollution, and other causes of inflammation.

Detoxifying for people with KPU must be done VERY slowly. Even the candida cleansing diet that removes sugars and processed carbohydrates can trigger a KPU response. The toxin release may also trigger an autoimmune response of PANS/PANDAS, since a Staphylococcus infection contributes to a build up of porphyrins. There is an accumulation of porphyrins and pyrrole pigments by Staphylococcus.

Some symptoms of kryptopyrroles porphyrins (KPU)

• Rapid triggered extreme anxiety from the removal of sugars and carbs
• heightened skin sensitivity, especially to sunlight,
• cannot tolerate fasting or intermittent fasting,
• panic attacks,
• bowel issues of either constipation or diarrhea,
• hallucinations,
• chronic pain,
• cannot tolerate low carbohydrate or low sugar diet/candida diet (until heem pathways are balanced),
• very low zinc levels. A common copper to zinc ratio imbalance.
• sleep disruption
• abdominal pain
• back pain

What to do for a porphyria triggered reaction

For the KPU to calm, the blood is needing some glucose, so a piece of fruit (for the sugar) should help. Since this situation is so delicate, it is alright to add in just a little carbohydrate too, temporarily, as it will help calm. In some extreme cases people are given a dextrose or glucose IV which slows the response in 10-60 minutes. A tablespoon or two of tapioca/dextrose can help calm by helping the sugar imbalance, but be sure there are no latex allergies (in the tapioca) or corn allergies (from the dextrose). This is only for severe cases. Try fruit first.

Iron supplements can make it worse because they increase inflammation and feed pathogens. Iron gets stuck in an inflammatory state so you may show either very high ferritin or very low.

Take trace and mega minerals. Among many things they help to open detoxification pathways.

Heem is iron based but plant sources of heem are not usually enough. Animal based heem foods are needed now. Some really good “heem” protein is unaged grass fed beef, or organic beef liver. You can also use organic poultry, shellfish such as clams, oysters and mussels, or line caught fresh fish such as halibut, haddock, perch, salmon or tuna. Avoid tuna due to high mercury levels.

Take some activated charcoal right away. This helps sop up the extra toxins in the system. Take it away from food for proper absorption of toxins.

Avoid sunlight. The UV rays will make the skin burn from the porphyrins that are built up there now. Skin may even blister in sunlight.

See the porphyria foundation’s drug data base to find the drug interaction of specific drugs in patients with Porphyria.

Testing

Symptoms may be your best guide. Some testing will not find it so subclinical KPU often gets ruled out by the practitioner, however, if symptoms are severe, then get tested from a reputable lab. The test to ask your practitioner for is a 24 hour urine collection from Labcorp: Porphyrins, Quantitative, Random Urine, TEST: 120980, CPT: 84120. Keep urine refrigerated during this test.

Join the Autism Recovery Blueprint for Parents of Children with Autism

Discover natural strategies to improve your child’s communication, social skills, behavior, and overall well being during this FREE 3 day action plan.

JANUARY 21-23, 2026
9 AM PT | 12 PM ET
1-HOUR DAILY FOLLOWED BY LIVE Q&A

Navigating the realm of autism can be challenging. I know I’ve lived it, too. But you don’t have to do this alone. For the sum of zero dollars, you can join our community of dedicated parents who are actively shaping brighter futures for their children through this enriching 3-day experience. It is my gift to help ease your journey.

Our 3-Day Autism Recovery Blueprint serves as a guiding light on your journey, offering affordable, proven strategies and the support of a caring community.

This is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat. Every child’s level of recovery is different. No two people are the same. It is never implied that all children will have the same outcome. Results are all based on individual biology and the work that is done. This process takes time and various steps, effort and resources need to be weighed. Our programs are intended to help you become more knowledgeable and guide you to help bring your child a better quality of life, whatever that may be. We want to help by giving great content, direction and strategies that move you forward. Nothing on this page or any of our websites is a promise or guarantee of results or future outcomes. The results on this page and any of our websites are not typical or promised. In fact, there will be people who purchase this and other programs and never put the work into implementing the strategies taught and therefore will achieve little to no results. Our more detailed earnings disclaimer, privacy policy, and terms and conditions for this program and website can be accessed via the links below. We hold ourselves (and you) to a high standard of integrity. We are cheering you on every step of the way.