What Causes Abnormal Tryptophan Levels?

Abnormal tryptophan levels can have various causes, just like most other symptoms. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose abnormal tryptophan levels, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "abnormal tryptophan levels" as a symptom. Here are two possibilities:

Protein Deficiency
Carcinoid Cancer

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

major unexplained weight loss

wheezing

adjustable gastric banding

low diastolic blood pressure

low systolic blood pressure

occasional hangnails

moderate heart murmur

mild abdominal discomfort

dizziness when standing up

slightly black/tarry stools

significant amounts of occult blood

vegan diet

... and so on

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of abnormal tryptophan levels:

Cause	Probability	Status
Protein Deficiency	96%	Confirm
Carcinoid Cancer	55%	Possible

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate having had recent lab tests, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Tryptophan. If your blood or urine tryptophan levels have been measured within the past 3 months, what was the result?

Possible responses:

→ No / over 3 months ago / don't know
→ Very low
→ Low
→ Normal
→ Elevated

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate very low tryptophan levels, low tryptophan levels, normal tryptophan levels or elevated tryptophan levels, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Carcinoid Cancer

Blood tryptophan will be decreased below normal values in cases of carcinoid tumor or syndrome when the hormone serotonin is being produced.

Protein Deficiency

... and also rule out issues such as:

Carcinoid Cancer

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™