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Her Son Slept All Day – Mom Believes Digging In Early Spared Him Losing His Sight
“I knew something was off... He went from so much energy and life in him to just really a lot more sleeping... Dr. B didn't just brush me off. He dug deep to find it, found the source, and we changed the trajectory of his life.” When a 12-year-old boy suddenly becomes overwhelmingly lethargic, it is easy to write it off as just normal teenage hormonal changes or growing pains. However, mother's intuition often knows when a symptom points to something much deeper. In this episode of The Deeper Healing Podcast, host Danielle Howley sits down with Jennifer, a mother who trusted her intuition when her son, Ham, experienced a dramatic drop in his energy. Jennifer shares how a comprehensive functional blood panel at Deeper Healing—which tested far beyond standard pediatric markers—revealed that Ham's prolactin levels were completely off the charts. This led to the unexpected discovery of a macro prolactinoma, a large tumor pressing against his pituitary gland and optic nerve. Jennifer details their stressful journey navigating conventional medicine, including a two-year stall with standard medications and the terrifying prospect of high-risk brain surgery. She then shares the turning point in Ham's recovery experience: returning to Dr. Michael Bauerschmidt for a tailored functional approach using IV Curcumin, high-dose Vitamin C, and intranasal laser activation. Today, Ham is a thriving 18-year-old college golfer. This episode explores the life-saving potential of thorough diagnostic testing, the power of patient advocacy, and why no parent should ignore their intuition. This episode is shared to offer personal perspectives and information—not as medical advice. Resources & Calls to Action: Take the First Step Toward Deeper Healing Learn more at DeeperHealing.com Wondering about your own body burden? Take the free quiz Support patients in need: The Deeper Healing Foundation Watch the documentary: Body Burden: The Toxins We Carry — Featuring Deeper Healing Free MD Guidebook: A Guide to Living Well in Toxic Times Mold Recovery Course Follow Us Instagram YouTube Facebook TikTok Episode 23 of The Deeper Healing Podcast features Jennifer, a mother who shares her son Ham's personal recovery experience with a macro prolactinoma (a pituitary tumor). Host Danielle Howley conducts the conversation. This episode explores the value of comprehensive functional blood testing, IV curcumin therapies, and patient advocacy. It is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. The episode explores the limitations of standard pediatric check-ups, noting how Ham's extreme lethargy at age 12 could have easily been dismissed. Jennifer discusses how Dr. Michael Bauerschmidt ordered a comprehensive functional blood panel that revealed abnormally high prolactin levels. This proactive testing led to the discovery of a 14-millimeter macro prolactinoma pressing on Ham's pituitary gland, which conventional specialists noted is typically only found after severe complications like vision loss occur. The conversation heavily focuses on Ham's treatment journey. After two years of conventional medication failed to shrink the tumor, Jennifer reports that they pursued a functional medicine approach with Dr. Bauerschmidt. She details how a protocol of high-dose IV Vitamin C and IV Curcumin, combined with intranasal laser light to activate the curcumin, was utilized. Jennifer shares that the tumor subsequently shrank, allowing Ham to avoid high-risk brain surgery. This episode is relevant for anyone: Exploring alternative perspectives for pituitary tumors Navigating pediatric chronic fatigue Interested in the clinical applications of IV therapies Macro Prolactinoma A type of benign (non-cancerous) tumor that develops on the pituitary gland and is larger than 10 millimeters in size. These tumors produce excessive amounts of the hormone prolactin. In adolescents and young men, excessively high prolactin can cause severe fatigue, lethargy, and hormonal imbalances. Because the pituitary gland sits directly below the optic nerve, large macro prolactinomas carry a significant risk of compressing the nerve and causing vision loss if they go undetected or untreated. IV Curcumin Therapy Involves administering the active compound found in turmeric directly into the bloodstream intravenously. Curcumin is highly regarded in functional and integrative medicine for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Because oral curcumin is famously difficult for the human body to absorb, delivering it intravenously—sometimes in combination with high-dose Vitamin C or activated by targeted light therapies—is explored by functional practitioners to support the body's cellular systems in times of severe inflammatory or oxidative stress. Prolactin A hormone primarily responsible for enabling milk production in nursing mothers. However, both men and women naturally produce small amounts of prolactin. When a standard functional blood panel reveals abnormally high prolactin levels in a child or a male patient, practitioners often order an MRI of the brain to check for the presence of a pituitary tumor known as a prolactinoma. Important: This episode shares one individual's personal experience and is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a representation of typical results. Outcomes vary significantly between individuals. The therapies discussed are not FDA-approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent macro prolactinoma, tumors, or any other disease. Do not discontinue, change, or begin any treatment without consulting a qualified medical provider who knows your full history. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR Parents who are noticing unexplained severe fatigue or behavioral changes in their children and are looking for guidance on deeper testing. Anyone exploring functional and integrative medicine perspectives after being diagnosed with a pituitary tumor or macro prolactinoma. Patients interested in the potential applications of IV Curcumin and high-dose IV Vitamin C for supporting cellular health. Families dealing with a complex medical diagnosis who want to understand the importance of advocating for alternative options. People interested in preventive healthcare who want to understand the life-saving benefits of annual, comprehensive functional blood panels. KEY TAKEAWAYS The critical importance of comprehensive blood testing. Jennifer shares how standard pediatric medicine often waits for severe physical symptoms (like vision loss) before investigating, whereas functional medicine caught Ham's tumor early through thorough hormone testing. Mother's intuition is a powerful diagnostic tool. The episode highlights how Jennifer's refusal to accept that her 12-year-old son's sudden lethargy was “just a tween thing” ultimately saved his health. Conventional medicine isn't the only option. Jennifer discusses the frustrating two-year period where standard medication failed to shrink the tumor, and the fear of proceeding with a high-risk brain surgery. The role of IV Curcumin and light activation. The conversation explores how Dr. Bauerschmidt utilized high-dose IV Vitamin C alongside IV Curcumin, activated by an intranasal light, to support Ham's body in addressing the tumor. Proactive testing changes lives. Danielle Howley emphasizes that patients do not have to be broken to seek help, noting that deep functional blood work should be the standard of care for preventing medical crises. TERMS & CONCEPT Macro Prolactinoma A non-cancerous tumor of the pituitary gland that is larger than 1 centimeter (10 mm) and secretes excessive amounts of the hormone prolactin. Why it matters: These tumors can cause severe hormonal imbalances and fatigue. Because of their location in the brain, large prolactinomas can press against the optic nerve, risking permanent vision loss if they continue to grow. Prolactin A hormone produced by the pituitary gland, best known for its role in enabling mammals to produce milk. Why it matters: In this episode, discovering an astronomically high prolactin level (over 425) in a 12-year-old boy was the critical diagnostic clue that led Dr. Bauerschmidt to order a brain MRI, ultimately finding the tumor before it ruptured. IV Curcumin The administration of curcumin (the active, anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric) directly into the bloodstream via an intravenous drip. It is not FDA-approved to treat any disease or shrink tumors. Why it matters: Curcumin is highly regarded in holistic medicine for supporting systemic inflammation. In Ham's protocol, Jennifer describes how it was paired with IV Vitamin C and targeted light therapy to maximize its cellular absorption. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q1: Can a macro prolactinoma be shrunk without surgery? Outcomes vary significantly between individuals. Conventional treatment often involves prescription medications or brain surgery to remove the tumor. In this episode, Jennifer shares her son Ham's personal experience of the tumor shrinking after pursuing a functional medicine protocol involving IV Curcumin and Vitamin C at Deeper Healing. This is one person's experience, not a representation of typical results, and not medical advice. Anyone considering treatment options should work with a qualified medical provider. Q2: What were Ham's first symptoms of a macro prolactinoma? Jennifer reports that Ham's primary symptom at age 12 was severe, unexplained lethargy. He went from being a highly energetic child to needing to sleep constantly. There were no immediate physical signs like headaches or vision loss, which is why the condition was only caught through a comprehensive functional blood test. Q3: What causes high prolactin levels in males? Conventional medicine generally attributes abnormally high prolactin levels in males to medications, thyroid issues, or benign pituitary tumors known as prolactinomas. Diagnosis and treatment decisions should always involve a qualified medical provider. Q4: What is IV Curcumin therapy? IV Curcumin therapy delivers the active anti-inflammatory compound found in turmeric directly into the bloodstream. It is used in integrative medicine to bypass the digestive tract, allowing for maximum cellular absorption to support systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. This therapy is not FDA-approved for the treatment of tumors or any disease. Discuss with a qualified provider whether it is appropriate for you. Q5: Why is a comprehensive blood panel important for children? In this episode, Danielle Howley and Jennifer discuss how standard pediatric check-ups often miss deeper physiological markers. Ham's tumor was only discovered because Dr. Bauerschmidt proactively ordered a comprehensive panel that checked hormone levels (like prolactin), a test not typically run on a 12-year-old boy without specific prompting. Q6: How long did Ham's recovery take? Jennifer reports that after starting the functional IV therapy at Deeper Healing, they administered treatments twice a week for an entire summer. Following this intensive period, an MRI confirmed the tumor was shrinking. Timelines vary significantly between individuals; this should not be taken as an expected timeline for anyone else. Q7: Is Ham's recovery typical? No. Every patient is different and individual results vary significantly. Jennifer's story is shared to provide information about one person's experience, not as a guarantee of outcomes, a representation of typical results, or as medical advice. Anyone dealing with a pituitary tumor should work with qualified medical providers.
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