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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Preston7979 on February 27, 2002, at 8:44:16
Is there any kind of blood test or brain scan that shows up how much you lack or have to much of serotonin and dopamine. That way I can find the right medicine for me. What meds increase dopamine & Serotonin? and what meds decrease them?
Posted by Bill L on February 27, 2002, at 8:51:56
In reply to dopamine and serotonin test, posted by Preston7979 on February 27, 2002, at 8:44:16
Unfortunately, there is no reliable test available to indicate if you need a drug for serotonin or dopamine. Wellbutrin is one of the drugs that increases dopamine. SSRI's and other drugs increase the availability of serotonin at the synapses of neurons. Some drugs increase both serotonin and dopamine. There are also other neurotransmitters that affect mood such as norepinephrine.
Doctors usually start with an SSRI for people who are depressed. If the SSRI's do not help, then they will try a different class of drug.
> Is there any kind of blood test or brain scan that shows up how much you lack or have to much of serotonin and dopamine. That way I can find the right medicine for me. What meds increase dopamine & Serotonin? and what meds decrease them?
Posted by Frankie on February 28, 2002, at 0:02:16
In reply to Re: dopamine and serotonin test, posted by Bill L on February 27, 2002, at 8:51:56
Hello,
Even though there aren't any blood tests, etc... available to test you for neurotransmitter defeciency, there is a way to find out what part of your brain is not functioning properly. A brain scan called a SPECT scan could be performed to inform a doctor of the overactive, or underactive parts of the brain. This is expensive, and Dr, Amen of California is the expert with this procedure. If you go to his website called "brainplace", he lists all the SPECT imaging clinics across the country. By performing this procedure, and finding out what part of the brain is out of whack, they can then tell what neurotransmitters are imbalanced. I would only advise you to look into this though if you respond atypically to medications. If not, the traditional SSRI will probably do much good.
Frankie.
Posted by djmmm on February 28, 2002, at 14:20:57
In reply to Re: dopamine and serotonin test, posted by Bill L on February 27, 2002, at 8:51:56
That's not true...
My psychiatrist insisted that I get a CBC and a catecholamine urinalysis before putting me on medication
catecholamine urinalysis tests the metabolites of catecholamines (epinephrine, dopamine, norepinephrine)
You can also test for serotonin metabolites.
Posted by Frankie on March 2, 2002, at 4:06:38
In reply to Re: dopamine and serotonin test, posted by djmmm on February 28, 2002, at 14:20:57
> That's not true...
>
> My psychiatrist insisted that I get a CBC and a catecholamine urinalysis before putting me on medication
>
> catecholamine urinalysis tests the metabolites of catecholamines (epinephrine, dopamine, norepinephrine)
>
> You can also test for serotonin metabolites.
Yes, you are correct. However, I understand that these tests aren't very accurate. Not in the way of determining where the major problem lies. I am sure that it would be helpful though. I would go with the SPECT scan though for a sure bet to solving the problem. But, this test you mention is most certainly less expensive! These scans run about $7,000. Insurance will not cover them fully either because they are a subdivision of the nuclear medicine practice.Frankie.
Posted by djmmm on March 3, 2002, at 16:02:18
In reply to Re: dopamine and serotonin test, posted by Frankie on March 2, 2002, at 4:06:38
my PPO covered it.
Posted by Frankie on March 5, 2002, at 2:20:15
In reply to Re: dopamine and serotonin test, posted by djmmm on March 3, 2002, at 16:02:18
> my PPO covered it.
You are very fortunate. Hate to sound like an ass, but what the hell is a PPO? I know when you tell me, I will feel foolish.Frankie.
Posted by Geezer on March 5, 2002, at 9:21:32
In reply to Re: dopamine and serotonin test, posted by Frankie on March 5, 2002, at 2:20:15
> > my PPO covered it.
>
>
> You are very fortunate. Hate to sound like an ass, but what the hell is a PPO? I know when you tell me, I will feel foolish.
>
> Frankie.Hi Frankie,
PPO means Preferred Provider Organization. It is a group of docs. who have agreed to accept medical insurance payment from a particular insurance company. PPO's are an off-shoot of "managed care" (a true disaster in modern medical care). Don't feel foolish.....PPO's and such nomenclature are part of the "if you can't convince'um-confuse'um" plan.
Geezer
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