Medical Rule Outs

ADHD Medical Rule Outs Brochure

See also: 

50 Conditions that Mimic ADHD (in children)

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Medical Rule Outs

The first step to getting appropriate treatment is to visit a doctor or mental health specialist. Certain medications, and some medical conditions such as viruses or a thyroid disorder, can cause the same symptoms as depression.

A doctor can rule out these possibilities by doing a physical exam, interview, and lab tests. In order to accurately diagnosis you or your child's Mood Disorder or ADHD, etc.,


See also 50 Conditions that Mimic ADHD

I would like to suggest that you make an appointment with your Primary Care Physician to discuss possible contributing medical conditions, such as:

• Blood sugar imbalance, hypoglycemia, diabetes
• Anemia
• Thyroid imbalance
• Hypertension
• Ferritin (Iron stores), B12, B6, folic acid
• Vitamin D, RBC zinc, copper, and magnesium
• Neurotoxin exposure (e.g. lead poisoning, mercury other heavy metals)
• Infections (e.g., encephalitis)
• Use of medication (bronchodilators, isoniazid, alkathisia from neuroleptics)
• Medication side effects, interactions
• Viruses
• Complete blood count, basic metabolic panel to rule out anemia and to assess general nutritional status
• Sleep disturbance

When evaluating a child for possible depression, consider:
CBC	rule out anemia
Electrolytes	electrolyte abnormalities
Creatinine/BUN	renal dysfunction
LFTs	rule out hepatitis and drug effects
TFTs	rule out thyroid disease
EKG	as a baseline if pharmacotherapy with a tricyclic antidepressant is being considered
EEG	rule out seizure disorder

"Depression also may occur with other serious medical illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease. People who have depression along with another medical illness tend to have more severe symptoms of both depression and the medical illness, more difficulty adapting to their medical condition, and more medical costs than those who do not have co-existing depression.7 Treating the depression can also help improve the outcome of treating the co-occurring illness.8 "

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-index.shtml