We have discussed neurotransmitter testing at length on the amino acid therapy blog and on the website. Here we will provide a brief overview to understand when neurotransmitter testing is used and how to use the results.
The first key point, and one that seems to cause the most confusion, is that valid interpretation of neurotransmitter testing (i.e. assessing the urinary levels of serotonin and dopamine) is not a measurement of the systemic level (i.e., it is not an indication of the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain). In addition, the levels are not simply ‘high’ or ‘low’; the balance between them is important.
It is very difficult for a layperson, as well as most health care providers to understand this concept. Those that want a more in-depth understanding of this approach and the proper use of neurotransmitter testing should read this paper.
The test interpretation we actually perform is called Organic Cation Transporter type-2 (OCT-2) functional status analysis; we use the term ‘neurotransmitter testing’ for ease of explanation. However, it is the function of these transporters, and not the absolute levels of neurotransmitters in the urine that we are interested in, as these transporters control the amounts of serotonin and dopamine available to the neurons.
When neurotransmitter imbalance exists, there is dysfunction in these transporters that must be corrected. The proper use of ‘neurotransmitter testing’ can help guide the use of amino acid therapy in order to control symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalance.
The next post on neurotransmitter testing will discuss when testing is indicated and how it is used in practice.
