Constantly tired and exhausted

Do I have HPU?

Do you feel constantly tired, exhausted, and unable to perform at your best, even though you get enough sleep? A metabolic disorder called HPU may be the underlying cause. Take the free questionnaire to find out whether testing could be beneficial for you—and take the first step toward greater energy and well-being.

Test Your Self

Constantly tired and exhausted?

Despite getting enough sleep, do you still feel drained, struggle to get through the day, and have the feeling that you are never truly able to perform at your best?

Multiple Health Issues at the Same Time?

Do you frequently suffer from infections, muscle and joint pain, or migraine attacks? Perhaps your body has become increasingly sensitive to certain foods, your skin is causing problems, or your hormones are out of balance?

From doctor to doctor – and still no answers?

Does everything feel exhausting, even though your lab results show that everything is “normal”? Perhaps you’ve even been told that your symptoms are “psychological”—yet deep down, you know that this cannot be the whole story.

Then HPU may be the underlying cause.

With HPU, your body may be unable to produce the heme molecule properly, which can lead to a deficiency of essential nutrients such as vitamin B6 and zinc. These nutrients are vital for more than 300 enzymatic processes throughout the body. The result? Fatigue, anxiety, digestive issues, increased susceptibility to infections, and many other symptoms. That is why it can feel as though you are constantly struggling against invisible obstacles.

But there is a solution. You can learn how to support your body effectively and regain more energy, mental clarity, and overall well-being. I will show you how.

Am I Affected?

Not sure whether you may be affected by the metabolic disorder HPU? With the free HPU questionnaire, you can find out whether taking a urine test would be beneficial for you.

HPU stands for Hemo-Pyrrollactamuria and refers to a metabolic disorder that affects heme metabolism.

At HPUandYou®, you will learn about the symptoms associated with HPU, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment options available. If you have already received a positive HPU test result, there is also a great deal you can do yourself to support your health and improve your well-being.

Symptoms of HPU

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Low stress tolerance / exhaustion

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Anxiety / depression

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Susceptibility to infections



Irritable bowel syndrome / food intolerances

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Autoimmune diseases / allergies



Skin problems

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Histamine intolerance



Migraine



Thyroid disorders (Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease)

Cycle disorders / polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, newly PMOS)

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Muscle and joint pain (fibromyalgia)

Who Am I?

My mission as someone affected is to raise awareness of the metabolic disorder HPU and to encourage health insurance providers to recognize that covering the costs of diagnosis and treatment is more cost-effective than funding years of frustrating doctor visits without clear answers.

Like many others with HPU, I have also gone through a decades-long journey from doctor to doctor in search of answers.

I am Sonja Schmitzer, an engineer in molecular biotechnology and the person behind HPUandYou®.

Learn about my story

Your Support for an Active Life Despite HPU?

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HPUandYou® Recommends

In the and You Shop, you will find a wide range of dietary supplements specifically tailored to HPU, designed to help you compensate for potential nutrient deficiencies.

HPU: How to Get Started?

HPU is a complex topic, and it is important to familiarize yourself with it in detail beforehand. My guide offers you an easy introduction.

Knowledge about HPU

Expand your knowledge about HPU and learn how to structure your daily life as efficiently as possible, so that you can manage it with greater ease and well-being despite HPU.

What Goes Wrong with HPU?

In HPU, the enzymes involved in heme production do not function properly. In most people with HPU, 3 to 4 out of 8 heme-producing enzymes show reduced activity. As a result, the body may produce incorrectly formed heme, which cannot function properly due to its altered structure. This leads to consequences throughout the body, including:

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The oxygen supply to the organs via the blood

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The energy production of the cells

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The oxygen supply to the muscles

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The detoxification.

HPU patients also possess correctly folded heme, otherwise they would not be viable at all. However, the fact that the body cannot properly build a portion of the heme has further consequences:

Loss of Vital Nutrients

The precursors of improperly formed heme can be harmful to the body. To eliminate these substances more effectively, the body binds them to vitamin B6, zinc, and to some extent manganese. This process makes the compounds water-soluble, allowing them to be excreted through the kidneys via urine. However, in doing so, the body also loses these essential nutrients.

Since vitamin B6 and zinc act as cofactors for more than 300 enzymatic processes in the human body, it becomes clear that a deficiency in these vital nutrients can lead to a wide range of symptoms. Manganese is also required for an important enzyme called superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the mitochondria. It helps protect the mitochondria from free radicals and supports detoxification processes.

When Heme Is Not Properly Formed

Heme is one of the essential compounds used in many processes throughout the human body. Most people are familiar with heme in connection with red blood cells and hemoglobin.

Oxygen supply to organs via the blood

Hemoglobin transports oxygen throughout the body. It consists of a heme molecule in the center, surrounded by a protein structure. The active component in this complex is heme, as it directly binds oxygen molecules. If heme is defective, it cannot bind oxygen properly. As a result, the body may be able to absorb and transport less oxygen.

Oxygen supply to the muscles

Heme is also found in the muscles of the human body (in myoglobin). Here as well, it binds oxygen and supplies the muscles with it. If heme is impaired due to HPU, the muscles may not receive sufficient oxygen, which can lead to rapid fatigue.

Energy production in the cells

In the mitochondria—the so-called “powerhouses of the cell”—heme also plays a central role. The main function of mitochondria is to produce energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the universal energy carrier for all cells. This process takes place via the respiratory chain. The respiratory chain consists of a series of heme-containing enzymes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Detoxification

In the body’s Phase I detoxification system, heme is an essential component of various enzymes. These detoxification enzymes are responsible, among other things, for breaking down alcohol, medications, and toxic metals. If these enzymes are impaired due to HPU, oxidative stress may increase. As a result, free radicals can continuously damage the body’s cells.

Metabolism of nerve neurotransmitters

The body also requires heme for the metabolism of tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin.

Production of important substances

The body requires heme for the production of cholesterol, steroid hormones, thyroid hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids.

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Disclaimer and general note on medical topics:

The contents presented here serve exclusively for neutral information and general further education. The texts do not claim to be complete, nor can the timeliness, correctness, and balance of the presented information be guaranteed. The texts in no way replace professional advice from a doctor or pharmacist, and they must not be used as a basis for independent diagnosis and the start, modification, or termination of a treatment for diseases. Always consult your trusted doctor regarding health questions or complaints! I assume no liability for inconveniences or damages resulting from the application of the information presented here.