serotonin whole blood test level

[StayingOptimistic]

I have been getting very high serotonin whole blood test levels. I never noticed this blood test before. My number is double the max level. Is this something I should be concerned with? Is it related to being on ADT and the PC? Thanks.

[Tall_Allen]

Are you taking an antidepressant?

[StayingOptimistic in reply to Tall_Allen]

No, I am not on any medication now but when I had the test, I was on adt. I just got worried when I read about it online and saw Carcinoid tumour might be the case which arises from neuroendocrine type of cells. It’s scary stuff since I don’t understand it.

[Tall_Allen in reply to StayingOptimistic]

I know that certain foods (like turkey) can elevate serotonin.

[Spyder54]

Strange you say this. When I was first diagnosed and for at least the next few months, I reported to my Onc and URO/Onc, that I was feeling euphoric. They both said…what? My wife recognized it too. I thought it was the shock of Dx, and new found focus on the purity of life. The Onc asked me on 2nd, 3rd, and final visit if I needed any anti depressant medication. I said dude, Im very serious when I tell you I am feeling euphoric. They were both dumbfounded. Maybe it was elevated Serotonin??I have never been tested for levels. Mike

[tango65]

Do you have any symptoms related to the carcinoid syndrome?

High levels of serotonin in blood although not specific could be elevated in this syndrome. This is a very rare condition and totally improbable if you do not have any of the symptoms.

I had some of them for a while and had the metabolites of serotonin measured in the urine and they were normal.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK4...

[StayingOptimistic in reply to tango65]

Thanks for your reply. No, I don’t have any symptoms. I just went by chance and looked at old blood test results and just saw that. I did have an elevated chromogranin A but was thought to be because of PC. I am not sure what to make of the higher levels of serotonin though. Do you I need to look further into it or ignore it? Thanks again.

[tango65]

I think you could consult with the doctor who ordered the test.

[StayingOptimistic in reply to tango65]

May I ask please what kind of symptoms you had? Or you may be private message me if you prefer.

[tango65 in reply to StayingOptimistic]

Skin flushing and palpitation, sometimes with and elevation of the blood pressure and abdominal discomfort. They measured the metabolites of serotonin in the urine and they were OK, Eventually the symptoms went away.

[MateoBeach]

very strange to even order this test, unless symptoms suggesting carcinoid.

Note that this has nothing to do with foods such as turkey. Thanksgiving myth related to meat proteins as source of tryptophan, precursor of serotonin.

And blood levels have no relation to neurotransmitter serotonin mechanisms in the brain that can be modulated with SSRI anti depressants and similar. Those do not affect blood levels.

[StayingOptimistic in reply to MateoBeach]

do you think I should contact the MO who ordered it? He didn’t even bring it up when I met him in the two separate visits he ordered it. I am a vegan but eat a lot of fish. Thanks for replying

[MateoBeach in reply to StayingOptimistic]

yes, I would. See what he was thinking and if it makes any sense. Curious.

[StayingOptimistic in reply to MateoBeach]

and by the way, I don’t have any symptoms

[Medline]

Androgens appear to determine blood serotonin concentrations, and low testosterone may increase serotonin.

nature.com/articles/s41598-...

There are also case reports showing that long-term androgen deprivation therapy has caused carcinoid tumors.

sci-hub.se/10.1016/j.eururo...

The most important symptoms of increased serotonin are unexplained episodic fever, diarrhea, involuntary muscle contractions, and tremors.