Urine
Neurotransmitter supplementation
Urine test for levels of neurotransmitters: serotonin, GABA, glutamate, glycine, and glutamic acid.
€ 249,00
All tests
Hormones · Urine
Serotonin
Serotonin in urine; comes mainly from the gut, platelets and kidneys and says nothing about serotonin in the brain.
At a glance
- Measured in urine
- In 3 test panels
- Check the preparation
Explanation
Serotonin: what is measured?
Serotonin is a signaling substance that plays a role in the brain in mood and sleep, among other things. However, most of the serotonin in the body is made in the gut wall; in the blood, more than 90 percent of it is in the platelets. Serotonin from the brain barely reaches the blood, and the kidneys also make serotonin themselves. Serotonin in urine therefore mainly says something about the gut, diet and the kidneys.
What can it detect?
- The effect of serotonin-rich food, such as banana, pineapple, walnut, tomato and kiwi
- The effect of supplements and medicines that act on serotonin, such as 5-HTP, tryptophan and antidepressants
Result
What does the result mean?
Serotonin too high
A raised value is usually caused by diet (banana, pineapple, walnut, tomato, kiwi, avocado), supplements with 5-HTP or tryptophan, or concentrated urine. A high value does not mean there is more serotonin in the brain. Rarely: a hormone-producing tumor in the gut or lung (carcinoid); for this the hospital uses a different test, 5-HIAA in 24-hour urine, and this test is not intended for that.
Serotonin too low
A low value is usually caused by diluted urine, diet or medicines; antidepressants also affect the amount of serotonin outside the brain. A low value does not mean there is a shortage in the brain and is not a sign of depression.
After an abnormal result
An abnormal result is usually no reason for further tests, because its meaning is not established. With symptoms of mood, stress, sleep or concentration, the GP looks at the symptoms themselves; this result does not explain them. Only with a strongly raised adrenaline or noradrenaline together with matching symptoms may the GP have metanephrines measured in blood or urine.
Reliability
How reliable is the test?
The measurements are not validated for mood, stress, burnout, ADHD or 'neurotransmitter balance'. Because the substances are largely made outside the brain, and the kidneys themselves make and process dopamine and serotonin, a result says nothing about the amount in the brain. In hospitals, only adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine are measured in urine, and preferably their breakdown products (metanephrines), for a specific question and with strict instructions for diet, medicines and collection. Outside that question, a result cannot be interpreted.
What can affect the result?
- Diet: foods including banana, pineapple, kiwi, walnut, tomato, avocado and vanilla can raise the result; protein-rich food and amino acid supplements also affect the values.
- Medicines, including antidepressants, ADHD medication, levodopa, some blood pressure medicines and nasal spray with a decongestant that narrows blood vessels, affect excretion.
- Caffeine, nicotine, exercise and stress around the time of collection mainly raise adrenaline and noradrenaline.
- A single urine sample depends heavily on how much you have drunk and on the time of day. Laboratories correct for this in different ways (for example with creatinine), and measurement methods and reference values differ between laboratories.
Preparation
- After getting up, first pass urine into the toilet as usual, then collect the second morning urine.
- You may have breakfast, but drink no more than 1 glass of water and no coffee before the second urine.
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol for 2 days beforehand.
- Do not exercise in the 8 hours before collecting the sample.
- Do you take medication? Then check with your doctor.
- Do not collect urine during your period.
- In the 24 hours before, do not eat bananas, walnuts, tomatoes, pineapple, kiwi, avocado, aubergine, plums, melon or cocoa.
Who it is for
Who is the test useful for?
Useful for
There is no group in whom the result has been shown to say something about mood or health. Not useful for assessing mood, stress, burnout, ADHD, sleep, appetite or 'neurotransmitter balance', or for choosing supplements, a diet or medicines based on it. With attacks of headache, palpitations and sweating together with high blood pressure, other tests in the hospital are needed, not this test.
How common is it?
No condition is diagnosed with this test, so there is no figure for how often an abnormal result means something. Abnormal values caused by diet, medicines, exercise and stress are common.
Get tested
Serotonin: test panels
Serotonin is part of these test panels. You order online and have your blood drawn at a collection point or collect the sample at home.
Evidence
Sources
This explanation is based on Dutch guidelines and independent information. It is general information, not a diagnosis. Discuss an abnormal result with your GP.
More about risks and results