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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tampagirl70 on June 15, 2004, at 15:33:22
is there a normal range for it?
Posted by Tony C. on June 15, 2004, at 16:25:42
In reply to is there a way to measure serotonin levels?, posted by tampagirl70 on June 15, 2004, at 15:33:22
Hi, there is 100% ABSOLUTELY NO WAY OF MEASURING SERATONIN - If you read these drugs inserts, they say the action is UNKNOWN ...... meaning they do not even know why or how they help, however I can testify to you, that they do indeed work, but not overnight. But in response to your question there is NO way to gauge seratonin with a test.
Best Wishes - Tony C.
Posted by King Vultan on June 15, 2004, at 17:05:34
In reply to is there a way to measure serotonin levels?, posted by tampagirl70 on June 15, 2004, at 15:33:22
> is there a normal range for it?
No, not really. They can do this on Star Trek, but it's not possible with current technology to tell what the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain are. About all you can do is observe a person's reactions to a drug that is known to be associated with a particular neurotransmitter--for instance, Prozac is associated with serotonin--and go from there.
Todd
Posted by ace on June 15, 2004, at 22:49:35
In reply to is there a way to measure serotonin levels?, posted by tampagirl70 on June 15, 2004, at 15:33:22
> is there a normal range for it?
Serotonin can be indirectly measured through cerebrospinal fluid (CSP)
In suicides serotonin is usually low
Posted by djmmm on June 16, 2004, at 8:41:11
In reply to is there a way to measure serotonin levels?, posted by tampagirl70 on June 15, 2004, at 15:33:22
> is there a normal range for it?
You can certainly test for known serotonin metabolites (5-HIAA) through a serotonin metabolite assay, which is typically used as a measurement "standard" in mental illness (suicide, depression), for the efficacy of medications in a testing situation and for testing for excess serotonin caused by a specific serotonin secreting tumor in the GI tract called a Carcinoid tumor
A typical 24 hour urine sample, the serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA is between 3 and 15mg.
Posted by bill ll on June 18, 2004, at 21:25:22
In reply to is there a way to measure serotonin levels?, posted by tampagirl70 on June 15, 2004, at 15:33:22
Docs have toyed with the idea. But so far, there is no practicle test for it. There are also many different types of serotonin.
Another complication is that scientists don't know how antidepressants work. For example, although SSRI's do in fact have an effect on serotonin, many scientists now think that this is not what causes the anti-depressant effect.
There is some evidence that people who have developed depression late in life have a smaller than normal area of the brain called the hippocampus. Antidepressant use increases the size of this area to make it more normal. But people with long term depression from childhood do not seem to have a smaller hippocampus.
Maybe one day we will find out what causes depression and how drugs work. Then there will probably be some kind of reliable test.
Posted by KarenRB53 on November 26, 2011, at 13:28:07
In reply to Re: is there a way to measure serotonin levels?, posted by djmmm on June 16, 2004, at 8:41:11
> > is there a normal range for it?
>
> You can certainly test for known serotonin metabolites (5-HIAA) through a serotonin metabolite assay, which is typically used as a measurement "standard" in mental illness (suicide, depression), for the efficacy of medications in a testing situation and for testing for excess serotonin caused by a specific serotonin secreting tumor in the GI tract called a Carcinoid tumor
>
> A typical 24 hour urine sample, the serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA is between 3 and 15mg.
>
>
I do realize how old this post is however wondered if I'd get any feedback. I just had a 24 hr urine chemistry test done (in Canada) and the results were very low serotonin levels, practically untraceable....just wondered if anyone knew what could be done about this or if there is reason to be overly concerned. I do take Celexa 20mg daily.
This is the end of the thread.
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