Neurotransmitter Testing

Neurotransmitter Testing is now available to detect Brain Neurotransmitter Imbalances!
Basing a treatment on symptoms alone (traditional medicine) will not provide the information needed to address the underlying brain imbalance. A visit to a doctor or practitioners office for depression involves telling them how you have been feeling emotionally. The typical depressed person leaves the office with a prescription for an antidepressant without ever having any conclusive laboratory evidence of what is causing their symptoms.

New sophisticated equipment and tests are now available to evaluate neurotransmitter imbalances using a urine or blood sample. This provides a neurotransmitter baseline assessment of your neurotransmitter levels, and is useful in determining the root causes for many diseases and illnesses. Laboratory analysis can now provide precise information on brain neurotransmitter deficiencies or overloads, as well as detect hormonal and nutrient co-factor imbalances which influence neurotransmitter production. Individuals require individual solutions. Testing helps to determine exactly which neurotransmitter levels are out of balance and helps to determine which therapies are needed for an individualized treatment plan. It also helps in monitoring the effectiveness of an individual's treatment.

Read this article for more information: Urinary Neurotransmitter Testing: Myths and Misconceptions

INSURANCE UPDATE!!

The following insurance companies are contracted with the lab for direct payment of the neurotransmitter testing. (PPO not HMO) The lab will bill your insurance company. You are responsible for payment if your insurance fails to pay.

• *Medicare
• *BlueCross/BlueShield
• *Aetna
• *Cigna
• *United Healthcare Companies
• *Medica
• *Mutual of Omaha
• *First Health
• *CCN Network
• *Health EOS

(Including BCE Emergis Corp., United Payors & United Providers, Pro America Managed Care, Health Network Inc., Admar Corporation, ForMost Inc., Benefit Panel Services Inc., Health EOS by MultiPlan, AHC,  Multiplan WPPN, HCN, Touchpoint Preferred, Beech Street Corp.)

The lab will now file for reimbursement to ALL non HMO insurance plans!

To have the lab file for your insurance to cover neurotransmitter lab testing you must:

Call 941 371-7997 to arrange a office or phone consultation.  A $85.00 consultation fee applies. The one time consultation fee includes determining which test is best for you, establishing the insurance billing codes, interpreting the test results, AND formulating a treatment plan! 

A test kit will be sent to you and you will need to include a copy of your insurance card in the test kit for the lab to bill your insurance. The lab will bill you for any copay amounts. If you are not sure if you have a deductable or copay amount for lab work please call you insurance company.

Order online if you are not using insurance. To order a blood, hormone, or neurotransmitter test:

0. *If you are not sure which test you should have you may e-mail us at info@integrativepsychiatry.net with a brief description of your symptoms and any medications or supplements you are taking and  we will recommend a test for you.
0. *Make your payment, and order the test kit.
0. *You will be mailed your neurotransmitter test kit complete with instructions, and postage paid shipping box. 
0. *Collect your sample, drop test kit in any US postal service mail box, (make sure you affix the priority mail sticker included in the box.)
0. *You will receive a copy of the results in 2-3 weeks.

The following are some of the brain neurotransmitter tests that determine levels of excitatory neurotransmitters and inhibitory neurotransmitters. These test are performed at a licensed clinical laboratory that is the world leader in neurochemical analysis and research.  These neurotransmitter tests will give you answers as to what is going on with the neurotransmitter levels that are so important to your state of mental and physical health. These neurotransmitter lab test are useful to determine deficiencies in neurotransmitter levels as well as high or excessive neurotransmitter activity with can lead to toxicity in the brain.

Telephone Consultations and E-Health Visits   are available to provide you with testing recommendations, information  on your condition, as well as suggestions for treatment, diet and lifestyle changes. You will also receive information about medication and alternatives to it, plus recommendations for a complete neurotransmitter balancing plan.

Neurotransmitters Available for Testing

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

• GABA-the major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain, keeps the excitatory system from becoming overactive. Relaxes and calms you down. Low GABA levels are associated with substance abuse, anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, and mood swings.
• Serotonin- important for integrating many areas of brain function. Plays a major role in mood and emotion, increases feelings of calm and contentment. Regulates pathways involved in food craving and vomiting. Low serotonin levels result in depressed mood, anxiety, insomnia, food cravings, drug/alcohol abuse, eating disorders.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

• Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Increased levels of glutamate can cause death to the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. Dysfunction in glutamate levels are involved in many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Tourette's. High levels also contribute to Depression, OCD, and Autism.
• Epinephrine also known as adrenaline is a neurotransmitter and hormone essential to metabolism. Regulates attention, mental focus, arousal, and cognition.
• Norepinephrine important for mood, focused attention, and stress response. Excess levels result in mania, high blood pressure, anxiety.
• Dopamine plays a significant role in the cardiovascular, renal, hormonal, and central nervous systems. Involved in motor control, behavior, pleasure-reward, addiction, drive, motivation, concentration, and memory.
• PEA promotes energy, elevates mood, involved with attention, focus, and cognition. Implicated in migraines, ADD/ADHD, psychotic disorders, and Autism.
• Histamine is involved in allergy and inflammatory response. Excess histamine is associated with headaches, migraines, depression, allergies, obsessions. and compulsions.