Aa
why don't they blood test for serotonin levels?
Why don't they blood test for serotonin levels? Couldn't this help differentiate between a chemical depression and situational one?
Consider taking
L-Tryptophan to create serotonin for snappy, etc.,
Melatonin for sleep and, last,
Tyrosine for your weepy moods(Tyrosine is the precursor of three most essential Neurotransmitters during stressful conditions, and they are Dopamine, Epinephrine and Nor Epinephrine. These are the basis of elevating mood and concentration.)
Whilst your pineal gland needs serotonin with which to create melatonin, research suggests taking both serotonin and melatonin is helpful when you have depression, moods, trouble sleeping, etc.
I have been taking L-Tryptophan for some time and recently added melatonin and believe it has made a difference with regards to sleep and how I feel.
BTW, there is research that indicates a link between low levels of serotonin and migraine headaches. Three years ago, my 17 year old son started taking one (1) L-Tryptophan tablet every Sunday and has not had a migraine since. Prior to that he had at least one severe headache/migraine a week.
L-Tryptophan to create serotonin for snappy, etc.,
Melatonin for sleep and, last,
Tyrosine for your weepy moods(Tyrosine is the precursor of three most essential Neurotransmitters during stressful conditions, and they are Dopamine, Epinephrine and Nor Epinephrine. These are the basis of elevating mood and concentration.)
Whilst your pineal gland needs serotonin with which to create melatonin, research suggests taking both serotonin and melatonin is helpful when you have depression, moods, trouble sleeping, etc.
I have been taking L-Tryptophan for some time and recently added melatonin and believe it has made a difference with regards to sleep and how I feel.
BTW, there is research that indicates a link between low levels of serotonin and migraine headaches. Three years ago, my 17 year old son started taking one (1) L-Tryptophan tablet every Sunday and has not had a migraine since. Prior to that he had at least one severe headache/migraine a week.
L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid and the precursor to serotonin. In North America you should take L-Tryptophan rather than 5-HTP to avoid high and potentially dangerous levels of serotonin in the blood (all to do with passage through the blood brain barrier).
There are many pathways in the metabolism of L-Tryptophan, and each step in a pathway is controlled by an enzyme. These enzymes are the product of your individual genetic expression and can vary greatly from one person to another. Unlike digestive enzymes, though, you cannot simply take cellular enzymes in a capsule. Furthermore, cellular enzymes cannot work alone. Enzymes are as useless as a car without wheels if they lack critical coenzymes and cofactors that make them run. Coenzymes typically are the enzymatic-forms of vitamins, such as pyridoxal 5-phosphate (the true form of vitamin B6), but sometimes coenzymes are biochemicals few people have even heard of. Yet, they are essential to life.
For an informative article, check out this link:
http://intelegen.com/nutrients/ltryptophan__natures_answer_to_p.htm
The following is a link to a commercial site but I include it if you need a source for L-Tryptophan (I use them):
http://www.lidtke.com/l-tryptophan-complete/
BTW, there is no correlation between levels of serotonin in your blood and in your brain. What is known is that too high a level in your blood can be dangerous to your health.
There are many pathways in the metabolism of L-Tryptophan, and each step in a pathway is controlled by an enzyme. These enzymes are the product of your individual genetic expression and can vary greatly from one person to another. Unlike digestive enzymes, though, you cannot simply take cellular enzymes in a capsule. Furthermore, cellular enzymes cannot work alone. Enzymes are as useless as a car without wheels if they lack critical coenzymes and cofactors that make them run. Coenzymes typically are the enzymatic-forms of vitamins, such as pyridoxal 5-phosphate (the true form of vitamin B6), but sometimes coenzymes are biochemicals few people have even heard of. Yet, they are essential to life.
For an informative article, check out this link:
http://intelegen.com/nutrients/ltryptophan__natures_answer_to_p.htm
The following is a link to a commercial site but I include it if you need a source for L-Tryptophan (I use them):
http://www.lidtke.com/l-tryptophan-complete/
BTW, there is no correlation between levels of serotonin in your blood and in your brain. What is known is that too high a level in your blood can be dangerous to your health.
I have been on prozac then effexor and over the last 2yrs switched to celexa for depression. Have recently as 2/2009 lost my husband of 19yrs and in April 2010 decided to try and get off meds... Working out/exercising 5days a week, tanning, church/praying and reading good books for grieving and letting go. But I have been a weepy a lot and snappy bit*hy and donot like it, trying to change on my own, with the help of weekly therapist sessions. I would love to not take the meds, feel like it may be my only way to maintain. Need other ways to help during this transition time... any and all suggestions accepted. thanks
Hi, I came across this thread researching Serotonin levels and how to measure them and how to raise them. I have very low levels as per a blood test. The serum blood test is, I believe, as mentioned, measured indirectly. The doctors and psychiatrists I've spoken with don't seem to have any answers to any of my questions, but it doesn't surprise me. They usually aren't the best at pharmacological issues.
Serotonin is found in the pineal gland, the lining of the GI tract, the platelets, and the brain. It cannot cross the blood-brain barrier as serotonin - only as its precursor tryptophan. Raising levels of tryptophan isn't a very straight forward, simple process either. After all my research up til now, I think going the "natural way" is probably the best. I don't mean not taking meds at all - I take many - due to having multiple medical conditions. I have MS, Systemic Sclerosis, Interstitial Cystitis, Osteoporosis, Hypothyroid, Lung problems, Gastroparesis, Scleroderma Esophagus, and on and on. Doctors don't know what to do at this point to help me.
The things I've read so far - to raise serotonin levels - are 1. Getting sunlight - especially morning sun, 2. exercise, 3. diet rich in complex carbs and protein - salmon, turkey, walnuts, etc. (you can find lists) 4. meditation - prayer - whatever you can do to think about positive pleasant thoughts. Serotonin greatly effects our sleep cycle, which of course greatly effects mood.
I had planned to try 5-HTP until I discovered all the possible repercussions. I've learned the hard way that meds cause many many side effects, and as much as we at times need them - they can create havoc. Another problem is that since we don't know how to dose these supplements nor do we know how to keep a close eye on levels, serotonin syndrome could develop (too much serotonin), which can really be damaging. COMPLICATED MESS!
Jan
Serotonin is found in the pineal gland, the lining of the GI tract, the platelets, and the brain. It cannot cross the blood-brain barrier as serotonin - only as its precursor tryptophan. Raising levels of tryptophan isn't a very straight forward, simple process either. After all my research up til now, I think going the "natural way" is probably the best. I don't mean not taking meds at all - I take many - due to having multiple medical conditions. I have MS, Systemic Sclerosis, Interstitial Cystitis, Osteoporosis, Hypothyroid, Lung problems, Gastroparesis, Scleroderma Esophagus, and on and on. Doctors don't know what to do at this point to help me.
The things I've read so far - to raise serotonin levels - are 1. Getting sunlight - especially morning sun, 2. exercise, 3. diet rich in complex carbs and protein - salmon, turkey, walnuts, etc. (you can find lists) 4. meditation - prayer - whatever you can do to think about positive pleasant thoughts. Serotonin greatly effects our sleep cycle, which of course greatly effects mood.
I had planned to try 5-HTP until I discovered all the possible repercussions. I've learned the hard way that meds cause many many side effects, and as much as we at times need them - they can create havoc. Another problem is that since we don't know how to dose these supplements nor do we know how to keep a close eye on levels, serotonin syndrome could develop (too much serotonin), which can really be damaging. COMPLICATED MESS!
Jan
Yeah, I've been on meds for darn near ten years and I am sick of it. Not that ppl should feel lesser if they are on meds - I just think meds should be used as a tool to help one deal with the problems that cause the depression, so that they can learn to deal with it naturally.
I am at the point where I want off the meds. I am ready to try dealing with my problem naturally - with regular therapy, if needed. I feel "drugged" all the time, disoriented, malcontent, my memory is shot. I want to try. Try hard.
I am at the point where I want off the meds. I am ready to try dealing with my problem naturally - with regular therapy, if needed. I feel "drugged" all the time, disoriented, malcontent, my memory is shot. I want to try. Try hard.
I see that most of people here are med oriented. As far as I know if you rely only on meds you not gonna be ever cured, you will always fear that when you stop taking them it will hit you back. This is psychological game played by drug industry whihc is worth $12 billion a year. Do you think that they just gonna stop drugging people, not gonna happen it is grate businesses. You just have to remember that when taking antidepressants the goal is to one day get off of them completely. There are natural ways of boosting neurotransmitters, but it is much slower then drugs and requires more effort. Also ADs are effective in 50-60% and side effects can be worst then original symptoms. In addition taking them is like playing Russian roulette, you never know what gonna happen next.
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