Urinary neurotransmitter (NT) levels provide an overall assessment of our body's ability to make and break down neurotransmitters and are representative of whole body levels. Whole body neurotransmitter levels correlate with symptoms and provide a valuable tool for achieving balance and wellbeing.

In addition to the Basic Neurotransmitter Panel (LC100058), which tests for 9 neurotransmitters (PEA, Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, Serotonin, Glutamate, GABA, Glycine, and Histamine), we offer this expanded comprehensive panel which includes the 9 neurotransmitters mentioned above, the neuroactive amino-acid taurine and several NT precursors and metabolites, namely, Tyrosine, Tyramine, DOPAC, 3-MT, Normetanephrine, Metanephrine, Tryptamine, and 5-HIAA.

This comprehensive Neurotransmitter Panel provides significantly greater detail regarding the creation and metabolism of our neurotransmitters. For example, are the low dopamine levels identified in the basic panel due to low levels of tyrosine, because of over activity of the MAO or COMT enzymes (which break down dopamine), or because of some other factor? This level of detail can allow us to be even more targeted with therapeutic suggestions for neurotransmitter balance.

The comprehensive panel includes the following:

SEROTONIN – A key neurotransmitter that is involved in the regulation of sleep, appetite and aggression. Serotonin imbalance is a common contributor to mood problems, and pharmacologic agents that alter serotonin levels are among the most commonly used class of drugs prescribed for anxiety and depression.

• 5-HIAA – An indicator of serotonin synthesis and metabolism by the MAO enzyme

GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Without GABA, impulsive behaviors are often poorly controlled, contributing to a range of anxious and/or reactive symptoms that extend from poor impulse control to seizure disorders.

DOPAMINE is largely responsible for regulating the pleasure reward pathway, memory and motor control.

• DOPAC – the primary metabolite of dopamine via the MAO enzyme
• 3-MT – Formed by metabolism of dopamine by the COMT enzyme
• Tyrosine – An amino acid precursor for dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine
• Tyramine – a trace amine derived from tyrosine

NOREPINEPHRINE, also called noradrenaline, is an excitatory neurotransmitter involved in a wide variety of actions including attention, focus, regulating heart rate, affecting blood flow, and suppressing inflammation.

• Normetanephrine – a metabolite of norepinephrine formed via the COMT enzyme

EPINEPHRINE, often better known as adrenaline, is an excitatory neurotransmitter which helps regulate muscle contraction, heart rate, glycogen breakdown, blood pressure and is heavily involved in the stress response.

• Metanephrine – A metabolite of epinephrine formed via the COMT enzyme

GLUTAMATE is an excitatory neurotransmitter and is involved in most aspects of normal brain function including cognition, memory and learning.

GLYCINE is inhibitory and plays dual roles as both a neurotransmitter and an amino acid. Glycine improves sleep quality, calms aggression, and serves as an anti-inflammatory agent. Glycine has been shown to boost mental performance and memory.

HISTAMINE is an excitatory neurotransmitter involved in the sleep/wake cycle and inflammatory response. Histamine plays a dual role in the body as both a neurotransmitter and immunomodulator increasing metabolism, promoting wakefulness, attention, circadian rhythms, learning, and memory.

PEA (PHENETHYLAMINE) promotes energy, elevates mood, regulates attention and aggression, and serves as a biomarker for ADHD.

TRYPTAMINE – A trace amine derived from tryptophan

TAURINE – an essential amino acid that has an inhibitory effect on neurons

Sample Report

Instructions

The following document provides a full set of instructions for completing the test:

Instructions      

Note

Results take up to 2 weeks from the time the laboratory receives your sample. This test is not available in Pennsylvania and New York. The results for this test can only be received via mail, e-mail, or fax.