Posted by Elroy on May 6, 2005, at 22:49:10
In reply to Re: Urine Test to Measure Neurotransmitter Levels??? » Elroy, posted by Chairman_MAO on May 5, 2005, at 20:24:40
I can agree with a lot of that, but if a particular class of NTs stand out as being well under a normal reference range or way above a stndard reference range, shouldn't that still wave warning flag as to whether or not more - or less- might be needed?
The reference range for NE is something like 80 to 520, so knowing that you had a 26 should be SOME sort of signal? In addition, take GABA. We have GABA receptors all over our body. A seriously noted lack of GABA in the body could be a raise of concern even outside psyhcological concerns, no?
Just a thought by a humble pilgrim seeking The Way,,,,
I'm still trying to figure out how in mid May of 2004 I could be in excellent condition, have severe anxiety hit in mid June and by early July have (almost overnight) gove from great shape to severe anxiety with hypogonadism, peripherial neuropathy, some kind of burning urethra . proststitis type pain, occasional cold hands and constant super icy cold feet (even when the surface of the has that stinging / burning pain from the neuropathy), and tinnitus... as the main, constant severe symptoms - not even counting the minor ones....
And the tests show abnormally low testosterone, abnormally high, ultra high cortisol, low dopamine, pretty low epinephrine, and super low norepinehrine!!!
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X> This is all B.S. It is so much more complicated than "neurotransmitter levels"; neurotransmitters aren't like gasoline stored in a tank. You don't "top it off" when it gets low, etc. What matters is which neurons fire, and where, receptor densities, second messenger systems (G protein coupled receptors) etc, etc. The urine tests can measure metabolites of neurotransmitters to get some sort of vague idea, but these tests are not routinely run precisely because their results have very limited diagnostic import. What it really comes down to is we have no idea how neural firing relates to consciousness, and it is in the conscious mind--not the brain--where all of these disorders ultimately reside. Despite what anyone tells you, psychiatry today still dispenses drugs based upon their BEHAVIORAL effects, not their neurological ones.
poster:Elroy
thread:493827
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050504/msgs/494753.html