Neurotransmitter Testing

You are trying to eat right.
You are exercising more.
You are trying to manage stress…but still don’t feel great.

Have you checked your neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters have a very important role in allowing the body to work properly and sustain good mental and physical health. They help the brain balance the highs and lows of feelings and manage the hormonal signals that are sent to other organs in the body. When neurotransmitters are balanced, concentration, motivation, mood and focus are likely to improve. When neurotransmitter levels are unbalanced, these energizing and motivating signals can be absent, and many people report feeling moodier, stressed, sluggish, and out-of-control.

The physical and emotional stresses most people have in their lives, combined with a poor diet in a fast-paced and processed food society, demands a lot from the body and can ultimately lead to neurotransmitter imbalances. In fact, these imbalances are associated with most of the chronic symptoms and conditions seen in healthcare provider offices today.

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that regulate many physical and emotional processes including movement, stress response, cognition, emotions, energy, cravings, pain and more. Functioning in the central nervous system (CNS), as well as in the periphery, neurotransmitters facilitate communication between the brain and the body’s glands, organs and muscles.  They are released from neurons and travel across a small space, called a synapse, to reach receptors on target cells.  Inadequate neurotransmitter function disrupts the signal to target tissue and has a profound influence on overall health and well-being. In fact, imbalances in certain neurotransmitters are associated with many of the prevalent symptoms and conditions seen in doctors’ offices today including:

These symptoms are often compounded by the use of bioactive substances including caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and prescription medications that can contribute to neurotransmitter depletion and worsening of symptoms by suppressing or artificially stimulating neurotransmitter receptor function. When functioning properly, the neurotransmission system has natural checks and balances in the form of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. These are classified according to their effects on the receptor site on the postsynaptic neuron.  Excitatory neurotransmitters cause depolarization of the membrane, causing that neuron to “fire” and send a signal. Inhibitory neurotransmitters cause hyperpolarization, preventing the neuron from forwarding a signal.

You may have heard of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, but do you know how they can affect your health?

There are other potential neurotransmitter imbalances contributing to symptoms as well. The benefit for you is that addressing these imbalances can be a very simple and effective approach to feeling better!

The first step towards better health is to identify possible imbalances with a lab test. Dr. Petitt can order the tests from Labrix and it is noninvasive and simple to do. The relationships and interactions among neurotransmitters and hormones are closely tied, so it is sometimes best to have both tested. Because of this, a test from Labrix that combines neurotransmitters and hormones together will provide you and Dr. Petitt with the most comprehensive view of your body’s neuroendocrine status.

Talk to Dr. Petitt about testing and treating your neurotransmitters and hormones. It may just be right step to helping you feel better and enjoy more of your life again.

Find the correct balance

• The first step toward better health is to identify possible imbalances with a lab test. The test has many benefits:
  -Highly sensitive and accurate
  -Identifies specific imbalances
  -Easy sample collection
  -Non-invasive (no needles)
• Natural solutions: we may use your specific neurotransmitter test results to create a treatment plan that is custom for you. This may include natural treatment options such as amino acids, nutrients and vitamins, as well as lifestyle modifications that include healthy foods, exercise and mindfulness. Talk to us about what type of treatment plan may work best for you.
• Take control of your health if you are interested in regaining energy and motivation, consider neurotransmitter testing. We can educate you on the impact a tailored treatment plan (fueled by accurate test results) may have on your sex life, pain tolerance, cravings, mental focus, mood, concentration and more.

Adrenal Dysfunction and Neurotransmitters

What is Adrenal Dysfunction? 
A traditional definition of adrenal dysfunction is an altered secretion of adrenal hormones that may begin with elevated cortisol levels, but typically results in reduced overall output and/or alteration in the diurnal pattern of cortisol production.  A comprehensive approach to addressing adrenal dysfunction includes assessment of the HPA axis as well as related neurotransmitter levels.  Cortisol and steroid hormones are produced in the adrenal cortex, while catecholamines including epinephrine, norepinephrine and a very small amount of dopamine, are produced in the adrenal medulla.  Additionally, adrenal output is influenced by serotonin production, and serotonin levels are affected by adrenal function.  Therefore, it is recommended to evaluate the entire neuroendocrine system for optimal clinical assessment.

The Neurotransmitter Connection

• When a stress response is triggered, the HPA axis is stimulated to produce cortisol and DHEA in the adrenal cortex, and the adrenomedullary hormone system initiates norepinephrine and epinephrine production in the adrenal medulla. Initially, these neurotransmitter levels tend to be elevated – often causing a concomitant rise in inhibitory neurotransmitters such as GABA. Additionally, cortisol is required in the conversion of norepinephrine to epinephrine, so a compromise in cortisol levels (as seen with chronic stress) causes an imbalance in the ratio between these two neurotransmitters.
• There is a dynamic relationship between cortisol and serotonin wherein healthy adrenal function is dependent on balanced serotonin and healthy serotonin is dependent upon balanced adrenal function. Serotonin is involved in hypothalamic stimulus to facilitate pituitary release of ACTH, which, in turn, is necessary for the release of cortisol and DHEA. An insufficient supply of serotonin will contribute to an insufficient release of cortisol. As the body continues to demand cortisol there will be a subsequent demand on serotonin to help produce ACTH that may result in depletion of serotonin levels. Furthermore, stress inhibits the conversion of tryptophan to 5-HTP, which is the rate limiting step in the production of serotonin.
• Patients suffering from decreased adrenal function commonly complain of fatigue and may also experience sleep disruptions, weight changes, salt and/or sugar cravings, allergies, anxiousness, nervousness, low blood pressure and numerous other symptoms. The neurotransmitter imbalances that occur along with the alterations in cortisol production may cause or accentuate all of these symptoms. Addressing neurotransmitter imbalances is an essential component of the successful treatment of adrenal dysfunction. Simple, noninvasive urinary testing identifies specific neurotransmitter imbalances, and can be correlated to diurnal cortisol and DHEA levels on a single report. Targeted amino acids and other nutrient cofactors can quickly modify neurotransmitter levels, thus promoting a fast and lasting recovery.

MOOD Disorders

Mild to moderate depression is affecting up to 10% of the U.S. population. Depression is the third most reported chronic health condition in the U.S.; most family practice providers, internists, and specialists will see some degree of mood disorders in their practices. Virtually all clinical reports on mood disorders identify neurotransmitter imbalances as contributors to either the root cause or the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Addressing neurotransmitter imbalances is a highly effective approach for successful clinical outcomes in terms of targeted treatment, cost and compliance.

Neurotransmitter imbalances are associated with all of these groups, and many individuals experience a combination of symptoms that may span all three categories!

Exploration of the underlying biochemistry of these symptoms often leads to the identification of imbalances in two key neurotransmitters — serotonin and norepinephrine.  A disruption in the balance of either, or both, of these neurotransmitters represents a common neurochemical shift that results in mood changes.

Although serotonin and norepinephrine imbalances are often the primary culprits responsible for mood disturbances, dopamine, GABA, glutamate, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol and testosterone imbalances can all play significant causative or contributory roles in mood disorders. Addressing each of these neurotransmitters and hormones simultaneously is the most efficient route to wellness.

Testing both neurotransmitters and hormones provides a comprehensive and foundational view of the body’s functional neuro-endocrine status and brings to light multiple factors that contribute to symptoms, allowing for defined, targeted treatments and improved clinical outcome.