Low Serotonin Level
  Serotonin Low
 Signs and symptoms
 Conditions that suggest it
 Treatment
 



Low Serotonin Level: Overview
When serotonin levels are low, many psychological problems can develop including serious depression.
Diagnosis and Tests
Serotonin levels are not routinely checked before prescribing serotonin-elevating agents. Since blood serotonin levels correlate poorly with brain levels, a therapeutic trial with agents that are known to raise levels is a reasonable and cost-effective approach.

Treatment and Prevention
One must be cautious not to combine too many SRIs (Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, St. John's Wort (hypericum), and 5HTP to avoid the medical condition known as serotonin syndrome. Here the brain has too much serotonin (the opposite of what happens in depression) and this may result in symptoms such as sweating, agitation, confusion, lethargy, tremor, and muscle jerks. If such symptoms occur, consult your doctor immediately.


Signs, symptoms & indicators of Low Serotonin Level:
Symptoms - Food - BeveragesBeing a recovering alcoholic may be a sign or symptom of Low Serotonin Level  No desire/inability to recover from alcoholism or being a recovering alcoholic

Symptoms - Food - Preferences
Sugar/sweet craving may be a sign or symptom of Low Serotonin Level  Sugar/sweet craving
Craving but not/craving and eating wheat may be a sign or symptom of Low Serotonin Level  Craving but not/craving and eating wheat

Symptoms - General
History of/having a CFS diagnosis may be a sign or symptom of Low Serotonin Level  History of/having a CFS diagnosis

Symptoms - Mind - Emotional
Emotional instability may be a sign or symptom of Low Serotonin Level  Emotional instability

Symptoms - Sleep
Being a light sleeper may be a sign or symptom of Low Serotonin Level  Being a light sleeper

Conditions that suggest Low Serotonin Level:
MentalDepression often suggests Low Serotonin Level  Depression
Serotonin levels can dictate if you feel depressed or not. Antidepressant medications like Paxil, Zoloft, St. John's Wort, and Prozac work by preventing serotonin destruction and loss. These antidepressants inhibit serotonin uptake ( or reuptake) by the neurons in the brains. Low serotonin levels cause depression.

Anxiety often suggests Low Serotonin Level  Anxiety
Serotonin levels are often low among people with anxiety disorders.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often suggests Low Serotonin Level  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Although the exact cause is not known, experts believe that OCD may be caused by low levels of a chemical in the brain called serotonin.

Metabolic
Bulimic Tendency often suggests Low Serotonin Level  Bulimic Tendency
Problems Caused By Being Overweight often suggests Low Serotonin Level  Problems Caused By Being Overweight
Migraine/Tension Headaches often suggests Low Serotonin Level  Migraine/Tension Headaches

Musculo-Skeletal
Restless Leg Syndrome may suggest Low Serotonin Level  Restless Leg Syndrome
See the treatment link between RLS and tryptophan/5HPT.

Recommendations and treatments for Low Serotonin Level:
Amino Acid / ProteinTryptophan / 5HTP is highly recommended for Low Serotonin Level  Tryptophan / 5HTP
Tryptophan is the dietary amino acid precursor for production of serotonin in the body. First it is converted into 5HTP, and then into serotonin. Both supplements are available, but tryptophan may require a doctor's prescription. It is recommended that these be taken under a doctor's supervision.


KEY
Weak or unproven link: may be a sign or symptom of; may suggestWeak or unproven link: may be a sign or symptom of; may suggest
Strong or generally accepted link: often suggestsStrong or generally accepted link: often suggests
Very useful: is highly recommended forVery useful: is highly recommended for




Last updated: Apr 08, 2012