I just thought I would share some new test results I recently had. I had a NeuralPanel done and found out I have low Serotonin, high Dopamine, low epinephrine, and high norepinephrine. I'm sure this is just another problem resulting from the mercury toxicity.
My doctor put me on some supplements from Neuroscience called TravaCor, AdreCor, and Calm-PRT. They consist of a variety of vitamins and amino acids in them, one of which is 5-HTP which is involved in the production of serotonin. I'm really feeling much better. I sleep better, feel less irritated or frustrated when I get stressed and seem to be in a better mood. I'm even studying this on line course that I have put off for a year because my mind was just shot after work. Now I am studying it again and excited about something regarding my profession. That's big for me!!!

My doctor is targeting the serotonin levels because he believes that others will balance out once that is back on track. I had a lot of problems with my gut like most of us with mercury toxicity have. My GI panel showed 2 kinds of yeast, and pretty bad bacteria, and some parasites. It is no wonder my serotonin levels are low because 95% of our serotonin is produced in the gut! I was pretty amazed when I realized that.

I think this may be an important thing to explore for some of the people on this board dealing with depression, lack of motivation, low energy...

Let me know if anyone would like more information.
chigirl

Thats great news Chigirl. Im glad your moving on!!

I was interested in a neuropanel test but not sure of the validity.
Where did you get it done and what procedure?

Also do normal docs do GI Panel Testings or do you have to see alternative ones?

Im not sure of the validty either Im afraid I know having problems with liver, stomach ect can cause depression but serotonin is most definaltely produced in the brain. I have seen neurologists and psychiatrists and there is no doubt there is a part of the brain that produces serotonin thats why antidepressants work on the brain, however so does 5HTP. Good luck anyway anything that works ay Tracy

Thanks for sharing Chi, one more part of the puzzle solved....glad you are feeling better!!!

Sandi
xoxo

Actually, Tracy, I'm afraid I have to disagree to an extent with your comment about serotonin being "produced in the brain."

It appears that some of the serotonin is produced in the brain. But the bulk, about 90-95%% of the Serotonin, is made in the GI tract. Also, 40-60% of all the immune cells in our body are in our gut. Optimizing the health of the GI tract is imperative to wellness, from what I've learned.

Chigirl and I are following similar paths to a degree. While I didn't have the complete neural panel, I did have an Organic Acids Test and also a 3 day Comprehensive STool analysis, saliva testing and about 10 vials of blood drawn for a complete workup. The results were illuminating.

I also had 2 very bad bacterial infections in my gut that needed treatment. Have intestinal permeability. Low counts of certain health intestinal flora (despite taking good quality probiotic supplements). The Organic Acids Test revealed a problem with Serotonin metabolism and a deficiency. Also, it revealed a weakness in one of my body's detoxification pathways. Surprisingly, my candida seems to be under control at the moment.

I received loads of results. And I'm now working on balancing my hormones naturally, treating broken adrenal glands, treating the gut infections and healing the gut, supporting and strengthening detoxification pathways, and boosting serotonin levels.

For the Serotonin levels, I'm taking a compounded form of L-Tryptophan (5HTP would have worked but my tummy didn't like the 5-HTP I tried), plus high amounts of magnesium glycinate, and also have increased my B6 in the form of B6 Phosphate. This is in addition to a boatload of other supplements.

When I started the Tryptophan, additional Magnesium and B6, my fibromyalgia syptoms as well as the mild depression I've had disappeared overnight.

Anyway, I agree with Chigirl. It can be really helpful to get functional testing done to try and discover the body's weaknesses and get them supported.

All this work so that I can at some point do some formal chelation. Sheesh! lol

Thanks for sharing this Chigirl!


Hugs,

SomedaySoon (Sharon from YC). :-)

p.s. Joe, to answer your question .... the answer (at least here in the US) is yes. You can find "normal docs" to do comprehensive stool testing. But they aren't the only ones who utilize this. If you want to have a look at the types of testing, here are two websites of two USA labs that explain the testing. If your doctor does not have relationships with these labs -- he can still contact the lab and order test kits for you.

http://www.diagnostechs.com/main.htm

http://www.gdx.net/home/assessments/

I BOW TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND APOLOGISE WITH ALL MY HEART PHONING DR PEATFIELD TOMORROW TO TRY AND GET TEST ALL MY LOVE AND BEST WISHES TO YOU BOTH AND AGAIN I APOLOGISE FOR MY LACK OF KNOWLEDGE TRACY GUESS YOU LEARN SOMETHING WITH THIS ILLNESS ALL THE TIME X

Tracy please don't bow! I'm still learning all this myself. I've read about it in the past but for some reason most of it didn't stick with me or make sense until it happened to me. I guess I had to experience it myself in order for it to make an impact. Too bad I was so stubborn before then, I might have saved myself some aggravation. lol

I've just found some of the functional tests to be really beneficial in my case -- mostly because I seemed to have so much wrong with my body.

I"m just trying to get my old, dilapidated body strong so that I can perhaps do some formal (albeit, light) chelation at some point.

Hugs,
SomedaySoon (Sharon)

know the feeling mate we sound very similar hugs Tracy

Thats interesting chgirl... I had the same test and my seratonin was low and a couple other ones. My Dr. suggested I try the amino acids. But when I started asking about how the therapy would work she didn't really answer why they were low etc... I might ask again about it and try it though. Your Dr. thought your seratonin was low because of your gut infections? What about the other ones? I'm kind of curious about this stuff...