ADHD Treatment Protocol

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that impacts daily functioning (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024). Globally, it affects about 8% of children and 2.6–6.8% of adults (Ayano, 2023), with significant effects on academic, occupational, and social spheres, often leading to emotional distress (Ben-Dor Cohen, 2021). You may experience amplified symptoms during menstrual cycles, perimenopause, or postpartum periods due to hormonal shifts.

This protocol provides practical guidance on labs, supplements, and lifestyle strategies to help our providers design tailored plans for you seeking to manage ADHD’s underlying mechanisms.

Comprehensive lab testing at ELEVATEHER uncovers potential root causes. Food sensitivity tests identify inflammatory triggers, enabling elimination diets that may alleviate symptoms (Yorgidis, 2021). Heavy metal panels assess exposures like lead or mercury that affect neural function (Lee, 2018). Hormone and neurotransmitter evaluations detect imbalances linked to ADHD (Roberts, 2018); (da Silva, 2023). Micronutrient screens address deficiencies common in ADHD, supporting brain health (Villagomez, 2014).

We acknowledge that FDA-approved medications can play a key role in an integrated treatment plan, particularly when symptoms significantly impair daily functioning. As of 2026, approved medications fall into two main categories: stimulants, such as methylphenidate-based (e.g., Ritalin, Concerta) and amphetamine-based (e.g., Adderall, Vyvanse) products, which enhance dopamine and norepinephrine activity; and non-stimulants, including atomoxetine (Strattera), viloxazine (Qelbree), extended-release guanfacine (Intuniv), and extended-release clonidine (Kapvay), which offer alternatives for those who do not respond well to or cannot tolerate stimulants. We consider individual patient factors, including comorbidities and potential side effects, and monitor closely, especially in women where hormonal interactions may influence efficacy.

We recommend evidence-based supplements to complement treatments by restoring nutrients, balancing neurotransmitters, and curbing inflammation. Selections are based on clinical evidence for ADHD outcomes.

Lifestyle changes form the foundation of our protocols, targeting neurocognitive health and comorbidities like anxiety or sleep issues prevalent in women with ADHD.

Recommended Labs

To build a personalized ADHD plan, we may suggest the following tests to identify contributing factors:

Cognitive Function Panel

• provides detailed information about the different main cognitive skills divided into areas: attention and concentration, perception, memory, reasoning (executive functions), and coordination, as well as physical, psychological, and social well-being.

Food Sensitivity Testing

• P88 Dietary Antigen Test by Precision Point Diagnostics: Identifies immune responses to foods, guiding elimination diets.

Heavy Metal Testing

• Heavy Metals Panel, 24-Hour Urine by Quest Diagnostics: Quantifies exposure to neurotoxic metals like lead and mercury.

Hormone Testing (maybe ordered if you are over 45yo)

• Estradiol
• Progesterone, LC/MS
• Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
• Testosterone, Free, Bioavailable and Total, MS

These are crucial for women, as hormonal imbalances can exacerbate ADHD symptoms during cycles or life transitions.

Micronutrient Testing

• Iron, TIBC, and Ferritin Panel
• Omega-3 Index Complete
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy, Total, Immunoassay
• Zinc, RBC

Deficiencies in these nutrients are common in ADHD and can impair neurotransmitter synthesis.

Neurotransmitter Testing

• Comprehensive Neurotransmitter Profile (FMV/Random) by Doctor’s Data: Assesses imbalances in key brain chemicals.

Recommended Supplements

Our supplement recommendations are age-specific, with a focus on safety and efficacy. Always consult with our providers for personalization, especially for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medications. You can see the whole list of third party tested supplements here. 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Ingredients: Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
• Dosing (Pediatric): 500–1,000 mg EPA and 200–650 mg DHA once daily for 8–16 weeks (Bos, 2015); (Chang, 2018).
• Dosing (Adult): 5 g total omega-3 PUFAs daily for at least one month (Lundbergh, 2022).
• Supporting Evidence: Lower omega-3 levels are common in ADHD; supplementation improves symptoms, attention, and cognitive performance in youths and adults (Königs, 2016); (Chang, 2018); (Lundbergh, 2022).

Zinc

• Dosing (Pediatric): 10–55 mg total per day (as zinc sulfate or oxide) in 1–2 doses for up to six months (Zamora, 2011); (El-Baz, 2019).
• Dosing (Adult): Same as pediatric, adjusted for needs.
• Supporting Evidence: Zinc deficiency is linked to ADHD; supplementation enhances attention and ADHD scores, especially with stimulants (Ghoreishy, 2021); (Noorazar, 2020); (Talebi, 2022); (El-Baz, 2019); (Lange, 2017); (Zhou, 2024).

Vitamin D

• Dosing (Pediatric): 2,000 IU vitamin D3 daily for 8–12 weeks, or 50,000 IU weekly for six weeks (Mohammadpour, 2018); (Dehbokri, 2019); (Seyedi, 2019).
• Dosing (Adult): Same as pediatric.
• Supporting Evidence: Low vitamin D correlates with ADHD; supplementation reduces symptoms, boosts dopamine, and improves behavior (Dehbokri, 2019); (Gan, 2019); (Seyedi, 2019); (Mohammadpour, 2018).

Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract)

• Dosing (Pediatric): 20–50 mg daily or 1 mg/kg body weight for four weeks (Hsu, 2021); (Dvořáková, 2006); (Trebatická, 2006).
• Dosing (Adult): 150 mg daily for four weeks (Belcaro, 2014).
• Supporting Evidence: Reduces inattention, impulsivity, and oxidative stress; improves cognitive function and mood (Hsu, 2021); (Weyns, 2022); (Dvoráková, 2007); (Belcaro, 2014).

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri)

• Dosing (Pediatric): 160–225 mg daily for 4–6 months (Al Shahab, 2025).
• Dosing (Adult): 300 mg (90 mg bacosides) daily for 12 weeks (Eraiah, 2024).
• Supporting Evidence: Supports attention via neuroprotective effects; improves memory, anxiety, and sleep (Aguiar, 2013); (Simpson, 2015); (Jeyasri, 2022); (Al Shahab, 2025); (Eraiah, 2024).

Probiotics

• Dosing (Pediatric and Adult): At least 10 billion CFU/day of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species for 1–6 months (Kumperscak, 2020); (Schwartz, 2024).
• Supporting Evidence: Early supplementation reduces ADHD risk; improves quality of life, reduces inflammation, and enhances performance (Pärtty, 2015); (Rianda, 2019); (Kumperscak, 2020); (Schwartz, 2024); (Arteaga-Henríquez, 2024).

Lifestyle Recommendations

At Elevate Her Health, we prioritize lifestyle as a cornerstone for managing ADHD, tailored to women’s unique needs.

Nutrition

Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet like Mediterranean or DASH to reduce ADHD risk by 37% (Pinto, 2022). Emphasize:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Omega-3 sources: Low-mercury fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts
• Magnesium-rich foods: Leafy greens, beans, whole grains, nuts, tofu
• Zinc sources: Oysters, meat, lentils, cashews, pumpkin seeds

Avoid triggers: Artificial dyes (OEHHA, 2021), aspartame (Jones, 2023), gluten (Honar, 2022), dairy (Lange, 2023), identified sensitivities (Yorgidis, 2021), and Western diets (Del-Ponte, 2019).

Movement

Exercise benefits cognition and behavior (Ng, 2017). Recommend mixed programs:

• Open-skill: Team sports, martial arts, surfing (Zhu, 2023)
• Closed-skill aerobic: Walking, running, cycling (Li, 2025)
• HIIT for those tolerant, for superior attention benefits (Sabaghi, 2025)

Stress Management

Address stress to mitigate ADHD severity (Koppelmaa, 2024); (Robinson, 2024). Use:

• Mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing (Modesto-Lowe, 2015); (Kim, 2025)
• Neurofeedback for brain regulation (Baena, 2021)
• CBT for skills and emotional management (Nimmo-Smith, 2020)

Sleep

Tackle common sleep issues in ADHD (Surman, 2021); (Sciberras, 2022). Recommendations:

• Assess and manage sleep routinely (Hvolby, 2014)
• Behavioral interventions: Hygiene, routines, CBT (Nikles, 2020); (Keuppens, 2023); (Cortese, 2024)
• Melatonin for persistent issues (Cortese, 2013)
• Adjust medications as needed (Stein, 2012)

Psychotherapy and Coaching

• CBT: Modifies thoughts, improves management (Yang, 2025)
• ADHD Coaching: Builds executive skills (Chan, 2023)
• MBCT: Enhances attention and control (Yang, 2025)
• Family Therapy: Improves relationships (Babinski, 2022)

Occupational Therapy

• Builds routines, sensory regulation, and modifications (Ianni, 2020); (Adamou, 2021)

Accommodations

• Children: IEPs for school support (CDC, 2024a)
• Adults: ADA workplace adjustments (ADDA, 2025a)

Social and Emotional Development

• Social skills training (Storebø, 2019)
• Regulation strategies (Soler-Gutiérrez, 2023); (Nordby, 2024)

Integrative Resources

• Support groups (ADDA, 2025b)
• Digital tools for focus
• Education for loved ones (CDC, 2024b)

For personalized consultations, visit elevateherhealth.com or contact our Santa Barbara office. This protocol is for informational purposes; always seek professional advice.