Why We Test Neurotransmitters?

By Dr. Dave at Health Remedies

Here at Health Remedies we practice a unique brand of healthcare known as functional medicine.
Central to this approach is our emphasis on the need to address you not simply as a set of signs and
symptoms or as a diseased organ but, rather, as a whole person with unique genetic, environmental,
and life-related determinants of your health and happiness.
Our approach considers your individual symptoms and their associated biological (hormonal, adrenal,
neurotransmitter, and immune) imbalances when developing a specific treatment plan for you
incorporating lifestyle, nutritional supplements, and adrenal support.
The study of these biological imbalances is called Psycho-Neuro-Immunology (PNI) and is based on the
hypothesis that recurrent stress causes progressive imbalances among multiple physiological systems.
These psycho-neuro-immunological perturbations (PNIPs) caused by life stressors have coincided with
the steep rise in common Diseases of Civilization (DOCs).
The complex degenerative health conditions collectively known as Diseases of Civilization (DOCs) are
often masked by symptoms so common those symptoms lose their diagnostic value. For example,
patients with a single condition may be suffering from multiple imbalances (PNIPs: psycho-neuro-
immunological perturbations) among their hormones, neurotransmitters, immune cells, and adrenal
function. Likewise, vastly disparate conditions may present as a similar set of symptoms.

The good news is that even the most complicated Diseases of Civilization reveal themselves in the form
of characteristic biological correlates. Testing a patient's biomarkers, especially neurotransmitter levels
(dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, GABA, histamine, glutamate, and so forth), can improve
diagnostic accuracy and increase care effectiveness.
Many common symptoms are related to neurotransmitter imbalances
Neurotransmitter imbalances are associated with many of contemporary societys most common and
recurring health conditions. Because neurotransmitters influence the function of the endocrine system
(including the adrenal glands) and the immune system, neurotransmitter imbalances can cause far
reaching health problems. The following symptoms may indicate imbalances among neurotransmitters:
Fatigue
Anxiousness
Low/depressed mood
Irritability
Sleep difficulties
Changes in appetite and sudden weight loss/gain
Adrenal depletion
Addictions
Brain fog (poor mental performance, including issues with memory, attention, and
concentration)
Inability to enjoy favorite activities
5 Reasons You Should Consider Neurotransmitter Testing
1. Neurotransmitters control communication throughout your body: Neurotransmitters are
chemical messengers that facilitate communication between neurons, which in turn affects
every cell, tissue and system in your body.
2. Symptoms (and even diagnoses) dont tell the whole story: Although you can articulate a long
list of symptoms, you can't identify the underlying imbalances causing those symptoms.
Neurotransmitter testing gives me more information than your symptoms alone can.
3. You are unique, your symptoms are not: Many symptoms, such as fatigue, weight gain,
anxiousness, and sleep disturbances can have strikingly different underlying causes. While your
poor sleep may be due to low serotonin, someone elses may be related to high glutamate.
Neurotransmitter testing can identify your specific biochemical imbalances.
4. Complex health conditions require an integrated approach: Todays Diseases of Civilization
demand a unified approach that conceptualizes nervous, endocrine and immune functions as an
integrated system. Neurotransmitter testing helps us as clinicians uncover adrenal and immune
issues that affect proper neural balance.
5. Testing biomarkers helps us provide customized your care: Most importantly, once we have
the personalized, integrated information from your unique lab results, we can better address
underlying imbalances. The promise of such an approach is improved outcomes and less cost.
For more information about our various Neurotransmitter Test Kits please click HERE.