Posted by Larry Hoover on July 1, 2003, at 9:37:29
In reply to Re: neurotransmitter tests, posted by djmmm on June 30, 2003, at 11:11:01
> You can only test for metabolites. This is a useful test, despite what others say. For example, there is a disorder of the adrenal gland called Pheochromocytoma, which is a tumor or tumors that secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine which can cause a variey of anxiety disorders.I must express my disagreement here. Pheo has an incidence in autopsy of between 1 and 3 per thousand. As pheo can be fatal in itself, and certainly contributes to other causes of death, incidence in the general population must certainly be less than found at autopsy. I cannot support the idea that screening for such a rare disorder, absent the signs and symptoms (e.g. hypertension, palpitations, profuse sweating), is reasonable, except in the case where routine therapies for e.g. anxiety prove ineffective.
> Your psychiatrist, before giving you medication, SHOULD make sure that this test, along with a complete blood count, and an EEG (to rule out epilepsy) and a PET scan to rule out ANY organic cause of what may or may not be a psychiatric condition.
I must again disagree. Searching for zebras before you've ruled out horses as the source of the sound of hoofbeats is not prudent medical practise. Blood count, fine. PET scan? The cost does not justify the outcome, IMHO.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:237809
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030701/msgs/238417.html