Neurotransmitter Testing

Check out this other post on the same subject for more answers.

http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9913&P N=1

Thanks coach1, I really apreciate the information. 

 I think some people (including meself) are somewhat skeptical.  And untill it's a widely proven method, it's going to be questioned.  There are "quacks" out there and "quack" methods too.  I've been taken before and have learned that it's good to question things and do my own research.  I just don't want to waste my money, or my time.

It definately helps to hear positive results that you and others have had, and I do take that into consideration before making an informed decision or judgement.

Thanks Again!

Well put Coach...everything you said...I ditto!

Now I'll shut up.

I really believe that there has got to be some good in all of this. The best way to find out is to try. The correlation between the test results and what we see and experience may help us work out the best meds and the best dosage faster.

I already know that Wellbutrin works for me and I saw that it works to raise serotonin levels. I read that the best supplement to use is 5HTP. I am going to try that for myself and see if it works as well as the Wellbutrin does. I am not taking Wellbutrin now so I should be able to see a very positive result if all that is correct. I will let people know how it works.

If we can use this research to find supplements which work, it is worth it to me to be a thorn in my Dr's side about this. I will keep in mind that other things can affect the levels which show up in the urine testing. Still, it's a start in the right direction! Its more than we had before.

Coach1-

Do you work for NeuroScience Inc?  Just curious.

Also, I was just wondering why MD's aren't doing this testing.  I checked with the American Association of Psychiatrists and they have no mention of this testing.  I would think that if this testing was accurate, that even the MD's would be using it for every chemical imbalance under the sun.  Conventional meds could still be prescribed, and more accurately as well, if MD's knew exactly what the chemical imbalance was.  

I'm not trying to put you on the spot, I am more just trying to figure all this out.  I would think that is a simple $250.00 urinalysis could determine a chemical imbalance in the brain and this imbalance could be treated in whichever way the patient was comfortable (naturally or with meds) them why isn't everyone doing this?

Thanks for your patience.  As with everyone else here, I am just trying to find the answers.

Suzi 

I dont work for Neuro Science or Smokey Mountain Labs or Neuro Research. I just put all that info out on the different companies for everyones awareness.

I am most familiar with NeuroScience due to I have had testing done thru them thru my MD. They have alot of informative info on their website that looks to be written for medical doctors, But I took advantage of the site being open to all and read up on all the stuff myself. You can find out about doctors in your area by calling them.

One more thing , finding out what the imbalances are is one thing. Healing the body and getting it back into balance is the not so easy part. It takes time and there are no magic bulletts. I think some people are looking at this like some kind magic thing. You can rebalance the system and see good results but its not pop pill one day and cured the next day.

Another thing neurotransmitters in the urine is not a exact measurement for neurotranmitters in the brain. Its an indication of several things. It shows imbalances, it shows hyper excretion issues due to stress,but Urine levels do show a good correlation of what is going on in the brain. Until you calm the system down with inhibatory supplements hyper excretion from excitment and stress is flushing alot of your neurotransmitters down the drain thru the kidneys and urine. Some of these postings have showed data that test results do correlate to symptoms and that test results show levels that are in the proper ranges and parents do see improvement in their children.

All I can say is there is alot of data on here and info and if you think its worth a try then try it. It worked for us,I am glad we did it. People try to help others but what more can we do. Its getting to a point that we just sound like a sales person and then that just discredits what we have experienced. If you know to much then you must be up to no good, is the vibes I am getting.

I think I am going to print this out and take it with me to various app'ts until I find a dr who will run the tests. When I call a new dr I will ask if they do them or are willing to at least read the literature. That will have an affect on my decision as to who to see. I know my dr who handles my hypothyroid is open to learning everything she can. Hopefully I will find a dr who will deal with ADHD the same way.

If we as ADHDers and parents of ADHDers start bringing these tests to the attention of our medical care providers, maybe it will become standard practice. There is so much new medical progress all the time that it must be very difficult for drs to keep on top of it all. Since we are not concerned with having to learn and research all the things they have to deal with, we are much better positioned to find and point out the info they need to help us. Now to find the ones who want to learn all they can.....

http://www.neurorelief.com/files/Attention%20Hyperactivity.p df

http://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?major=450

http://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?major=435#patients

Found this to be interesting information, hope others find it helpfull.

http://www.drpressman.com/Library/NeurotransmitterTesting.ht m

Make sure you scroll 3/4 of the way down....they give a case study of a kid with ADD and the difference between treating with Strattera and Adderall

 I read through the article and at first I thought, "Wow, I am going to get this done for dd."  I then did a search on the web for "neurotransmitter testing" and pages of available tests came up. 

Why, if these tests are accurate and readily available, are they not performed on a regular basis?  I would think that our competent psychs and neuropsychs would be performing these tests on a regular basis if they were conclusive, or even indicated ADHD in a child.

So, are these tests just a hoax or are they something that the doctors are not using?

Some food for thought.

Suzi

I found a site that gives alternative methods to balancing out the neurotransmitters; "Amino Acid Therapy":

http://www.asktheinternettherapist.com/archive_neurotransmit ter.asp

Here is my 2 cents worth on the testing.

Well I have heard nay sayers but we have had the tests done and its been very helpfull. Its a tool to give some insight to what is going on inside a troubled person. I think the argument is that neurotransmitters measured in the urine doesnt tell you exactly what is going on in the brain. But huge amounts of data have been collected and analyzed to give some pretty good indications to whats going on inside a person. I think neuroscience inc company is approaching somewhere in the range of  100,000 tests.

It may not be perfect but its alot better than taking shots in the dark. Then trying this med or that med. Describe to me the behavior is not an accurate thing looking at a 1st grader

If they can tell you, your Dopamine is 111 and the optimal range should be 125-175 then you got something you can sink your teeth into. Role your sleeves up and get to work on something tangable. Then after a few weeks of nutritional supplements you re-test and see that the levels have come into the appropriate range then you know your getting some where. Plus you can observe behavior in a general sense and see the improvements as the system balances out. Plus the nutritional approach as far fewer side effects and treats the root cause of the problem.