Neurotransmitters tests

[Smittybear7]

Have any of you used a neurotransmitter test ? If so did your neurologist use the information and adjust your medication?

[kevowpd]

Can you provide more information about these tests?

[Smittybear7 in reply to kevowpd]

The nutritionist/pharmacist that I am working with mentioned a neurotransmitter test throughDoctors Data. I think the website is

labrix.com

doctorsdata.com

Both are listed on the box.It must be ordered by a doctor. It's a urine test that measures your neurotransmitters. Determines if any are deficient. He said the results are sent to the ordering dr along with how to correct any problems. It's probably not covered by insurance. I think it's between 295 and $400 .

Just wondering if anyone has used this test, did it provide any improvement, and if it helped .to improve any Parkinson's issues .My neurologist s weren't interested in checking it out. Thanks for your response.

[kevowpd in reply to Smittybear7]

Before I spent anything like that I'd want to he comfortable that neurotransmitters in urine are anything like a decent proxy for neurotransmitters in the relevant parts of the brain. And I'm not. There aren't even reliable blood tests for neurotransmitters and blood is literally flowing through your brain. There have been other discussions here about how serum levels are not reliable indicators of brain levels.

I think your neurologists disinterest is probably warranted.

[Smittybear7 in reply to kevowpd]

Thanks

[Barry1111 in reply to kevowpd]

You're right about that. I don't think there are any reliable tests for neurotransmitters in the brain. There's a blood-brain barrier that makes the rest of the body irrelevant. Our gut contains the majority of serotonin, for example.

[Smittybear7 in reply to Barry1111]

I thought they call the gut the second brain???

[Barry1111 in reply to Smittybear7]

Right? I do think the gut will eventually prove to be a place where various cancers and diseases begin.

[Hidden]

I had pins stuck in my leg! Is that it

[Smittybear7 in reply to Hidden]

No it's a urine test to measure neurotransmitter.

[kaypeeoh in reply to Smittybear7]

There was a doctor named John Chrisler. He pushed testosterone injections or patches. He recommended urine steroids test. I had to collect all urine for 24 hours then sent it to a lab for the testing. He looked at the results and recommended a testosterone dose. Ultimately he committed suicide.

[kaypeeoh in reply to kaypeeoh]

I developed BPH, benign prostate hypertrophy. I was prescribed Proscar, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. For some men the side effects were serious; Loss of libido, ED and breast enlargement. Remember Meatloaf in fight Club? A lot of men were using testosterone as directed by Dr Chrisler. Me included. It has nothing to do with PD, other than another doctor giving me bad advice.

[Hidden in reply to kaypeeoh]

A doctor who wanted a grand new vacation house or yacht?

[SilentEchoes in reply to Hidden]

Why did you have pins stuck in your legs? Was it accupuncture? Or did you have an EMG? There is also a test for acetylcholine that's done on your feet.

SE

[House2]

Results won't change your script.

[Smittybear7 in reply to House2]

Thanks for responding I thought it may uncover some issues that need attention.

[kevowpd in reply to Smittybear7]

It's an effective way of separating you from your money, and that would be about it.

[Smittybear7 in reply to kevowpd]

Thanks

[SilentEchoes in reply to Smittybear7]

I think it's worth knowing. Testing can help rule out some things or help diagnose a different problem. Not everything is PD related when you have PD.

Look at Vibrant Wellness test: vibrant-wellness.com/tests/...

SE

[Smittybear7 in reply to SilentEchoes]

Thank you!

[LAJ12345]

My husband did a few years ago. It was the organic acids test. Doctors and neurologist here weren’t interested or didn’t know anything about it. It was interesting but I’m not sure it changed anything, although it did tell us he probably had a fungal or yeast infection which the naturopath treated. I think these things are just a point in time tests so possibly they vary day to day.

The most interesting test he had was the DNA one which showed which pathways are blocked. His seratonin and dopamine ones are and his b vitamins, and d vitamin pathways are not functioning at capacity. Also his liver doesn’t process pharmaceuticals well. At least this explained why he was as he is and why the antidepressants made him worse. It gave a list of things to avoid and which to take which I found useful. And DNA doesn’t change day to day (although epigenetics shows things can be turned off and on with lifestyle changes).

[Smittybear7 in reply to LAJ12345]

What was the DNA test called?Do you have to have a dr write a script or how can you get one?Thanks so much for the information.

[LAJ12345 in reply to Smittybear7]

Anyone can order a saliva test from ancestry.com and 23andme then you need to find a natural doctor who can order an opus23 analysis of the data file. You can also load the data files into eg a spreadsheet and search for gene SNPs yourself if you are researching specific conditions and there are a few free programs that can use your files but they aren’t very comprehensive and just choose a few common defects.

[Smittybear7 in reply to LAJ12345]

How much does a test cost? Thank you for the information.

[LAJ12345 in reply to Smittybear7]

I think they were around $100 each . Can’t remember if that was NZD or USD

Seeing the naturopath and getting the opus analysis was a whole lot more. Maybe $1800 NZD I think

[CaseyInsights]

If you are interested in testing that provides some insight into you nutritional status and a snapshot of some health markers you may look here - Genova Nutritional Testing

gdx.net/news/genova-nutriti...

rebtar

"I just got the results of my Genova labs NutrEval test. If you're on Medicare, and your doctor orders it, Medicare pays for it. Chock full of information on nutrients, oxidative stress markers and other useful information..."

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

[Smittybear7 in reply to CaseyInsights]

Thanks so much for the information. I will ask my doctor for a script.

[Smittybear7 in reply to CaseyInsights]

Can you pay out of pocket for this test?

[CaseyInsights in reply to Smittybear7]

I see no reason why you can't pay out of pocket. Check Genova Labs website for a doctor/lab in your area.

Unfortunately I am out here in the Caribbean, with no know link. Got to work something out soon.

[SilentEchoes]

I had a negative DaTScan. I then independently ordered the blood test for catecholamines, my dopamine was below the level of detection. The hypothalamus and other brain structures besides the substantia nigra have dopamine neurons too.

You have a few choices. You can have a blood draw or collect a 24h urine for catecholamines. requestatest.com/catecholam...

requestatest.com/catecholam...

I like the Neurotransmitter test from Vibrant Wellness. It's a very comprehensive test.

vibrant-wellness.com/tests/...

Here's the description for testing:

testing.com/tests/catechola...

SE

[Smittybear7 in reply to SilentEchoes]

Thanks so much for the information.

[Smittybear7 in reply to SilentEchoes]

Does the doctor have to order the test? Does it measure brain neurotransmitters?

[SilentEchoes in reply to Smittybear7]

Nope, these are direct to consumer. For blood draws they have an inhouse physician sign the order and then you go to an independent lab (Quest or LabCorp). Neurotransmitters are tested indirectly in blood and urine.

[Smittybear7 in reply to SilentEchoes]

What do you do with the results? Do they send them to you have you ever sent to your doctor? Does the ordering doctor interpret the test? Thanks for your help? What do they cost? Is it covered by insurance?

[Smittybear7 in reply to SilentEchoes]

What did you use for the results for? Where's your doctor receptive to them? I'm really struggling trying to find the right doctor or specialist to work with. I'm in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Any ideas?

[SilentEchoes]

The results were for my own information, and no, doctor's are not typically receptive to patients ordering their own lab tests. If I find something amiss, I can self-treat or ask the doctor to repeat the test.

I'm a bit of a loose cannon for doctor's due to their persistent gaslighting. For example, I've had my cortisol level checked twice by two different clinics. My insurance was billed for these tests, neither clinic will release the test results. It's my belief that no one wants to validate hypothalamic failure.

These are my tests. I know that I own my medical records and they have to give me the results, it will take a lawsuit to get them. I'm independently testing my 24h urine. I have to pay cash out of pocket, but I'm guaranteed to get unbiased results.

My test results have been altered too. I caught the pulmonologist and cardiologist red handed at the hospital that injured me during surgery.

PM me and I'll help you figure it out.

SE

[Smittybear7 in reply to SilentEchoes]

Thanks for your help.