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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LostBoyinNC1 on June 14, 2002, at 20:56:01
Im thinking of asking my family doc for a "catecholamines urine test" to assess how much noradrenaline and dopamine is circulating in my system. Im having major problems with hypertension and its worse whenever I get pissed or mad about something. I feel like Fred Sanford a lot.
Im wondering about this test as I read it can show "acute stress" and "extreme stress." But at the same time in the last year Ive developed mild movement disorder problems which started out as EPS from Seroquel augmentation. Im still having problems with muscle stiffness and stuff like that.
This test would settle it..it shows dopamine and norephinephrine and ephedrine levels, which all aggravate hypertension and anxiety. Have any of you ever had this test? I heard its cheap and inexpensive....just piss into a bucket for 24 hours and bring it to your doctor's office.
Thanks,
LostBoyinNC
Posted by katekite on June 15, 2002, at 16:04:33
In reply to Catecholamines urine test?, posted by LostBoyinNC1 on June 14, 2002, at 20:56:01
I've had this test. It doesn't show how much dopamine and norepinephrine are circulating in your brain, it shows how much is in your general circulation. When they say 'extreme stress' they mean physical stress like a gun shot wound. Your brain's dopamine and norepinephrine would be better tested by taking a sample of spinal fluid. At least that's my understanding.
There are rare disorders where people don't produce appropriate levels of dopamine or norepinephrine, usually a genetic thing, the test can show that.
The reason for an adult to have a 24 hr urine catecholamine check is if you think you could possibly have a pheochromocytoma, which is a tumor that secretes these chemicals in response to physical or emotional stress. People with these tumors show occasional attacks of sweating, heart racing (really fast, not just the anxiety thing of going up to 110 but something pathological like going to 180 for no reason), high blood pressure, diarrhea, nausea, fainting, flushing. Sometimes these tumors can be misdiagnosed to begin with as panic attacks or episodes of anxiety.
My understanding is that its a good test to have if you have panic attacks or if you have had side effects from drugs that include heart problems.
It is an easy test to do. If you're going to do that you might as well also do the one for cortisol. High cortisol would be a more common finding to explain anxiety, and is called cushing's syndrome. (although in many people with depression or anxiety cortisol is borderline high to begin with).
kate
Posted by djmmm on June 16, 2002, at 21:56:51
In reply to Re: Catecholamines urine test?, posted by katekite on June 15, 2002, at 16:04:33
I have had the test..but I had it in the form of a blood test, and it was covered by my insurance...very simple, and informative (for those of us who are/were treatment resistant)....
because of this test, I was put on Nardil and am now depression, and anxiey free.
This is the end of the thread.
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