why don't they blood test for serotonin levels?

[laughingman]

Why don't they blood test for serotonin levels? Couldn't this help differentiate between a chemical depression and situational one?

[Sailor645]

It's spelled "colleagues". You're just regurgitating your version of what one practitioner has told you. 5-HTP has been proven at least as effective as prescription anti-depressants. I experienced no effects from Prozac or Zoloft, and spectacular relief within weeks of beginning to take L-glutamine and L-phenylalanine.Tibia Is the first time I've heard it suggested that depression can exist in spite of normal neurotransmitter levels. The theory of SSRIs is analogous to "fooling" your vehicles engine into thinking that the oil has been changed.

[vicky811]

hi, here I completely disagree with u.1st of all its not all in dark its evidence based medicine means large no of trials on many no of pts were conducted and conclusion are made. only thing tat is that not known is exactly how all medication works and tats why huge research is going on to search answers.2nd thing antidepressants are not at all addictive,some pts just have to take for ling time because their brain receptors not working properly. To give analogy if u diabetes and ur not able to get off medication tat dose not mean ur dependent on medications, u need because ur body dose not produce insulin. plz go through FDA and NICE guidelines for fur  

[Anneinside]

You sound pretty well informed about chronic depression and the function of psychotrophic drugs. I recently started reading a book by Stephen Stahl called depression and bipolar: Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology. It goes into great detail while being clear, sometimes humorous, and has a lot of diagrams to help explain concepts.

[dwt7let]

Hi I once spoke to the wife of a psychiatrist when I was ill coming off effexor. She told me that erewhen they treat depression they do not know which part of the brain is depressed and what tablets will work it is all just a stab in the dark. In other words it is quite scary because these professionals or so called do not know what they are doing really yet they are giving out chemical altering drugs like smarties. These tablets are highly addictive
and are not easy to get off. So my question is if we went for talking therapy and got it all out of our system would we need these drugs. Also in the long run they make you more depressed and anxious than you already were. They are obviously not working !!!!
I remeber being so anxious when i was on venlafluxine i am not saying its a walk in the park but i am not in bed all day and i don't lie in bed worrying.
Love
Lorraine xx

[3children]

I have been off lexapro for about 1 month, after having been on it for about 12 years. I don't really have any specific reason why I chose to go off except that I just didn't like the thought of being on it for the rest of my life, and I thought it was keeping me from feeling "real"... It has been a real struggle for me... I am very sad and irritable and wonder if I should just go back to 20mg of lexapro...

[ljean1975]

Thank you, I will look at the info  you suggested and talk to my doc's... what you stated makes sense. WOW! I must be having a good day.
ANd will suggest to cousin who is having migranes- Again Thank you.