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23 years
Is there any test to know the serotonine level or quantity in our body? and is there a medicine or a supplement of serotonine in pharmacies? thanks
Dec 25, 2013
2nd opinion

Dr. Rania Mousa General Medicine
Serotonin acts as a neurotransmitter, a type of chemical that helps relay signals from one area of the brain to another. Although serotonin is manufactured in the brain, where it performs its primary functions, some 90% of our serotonin supply is found in the digestive tract and in blood platelets.
As a neurotransmitter, serotonin helps to relay messages from one area of the brain to another. Because of the widespread distribution of its cells, it is believed to influence a variety of psychological and other body functions.In terms of our body function, serotonin can also affect the functioning of our cardiovascular system, muscles, and various elements in the endocrine system.
an imbalance in serotonin levels may influence mood in a way that leads to depression

>>Antidepressant medications that work on serotonin levels -- SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) -- are believed to reduce symptoms of depression, but exactly how they work is not yet fully understood.

if you wish to increase the level there are certain food might influence on the increase of serotonin level
Protein-rich foods, such as meat or chicken, contain high levels of tryptophans(the chemical from which serotonin is made )
viatmin b6 also increase tryptopahn
calcium rich food directly increase serotonin level
carbohydrate-rich meal, can freely enter the brain and cause serotonin levels to rise,for this reason you might have heard that eating chocolate can raise th mood and overcome depression .
Regular exercise can be as effective a treatment to raise serotonin level and treat with depression as antidepressant medication or psychotherapy.

usually test to know the level of serotonin is not done ,only in certain medical conditions where the level counts for the medical problem is done .

for example it is not usefull to undergo the test for depression because it is not a matter of serotonine level but a matter of the uptake of nerve cells and the mechanism of release .

There is a blood test to measure serotonine level, is usually done for carcinoid concerns .tests to measure serotonin level are often in the name of (5-HT level)( 5-hydroxytryptamine level) (Serotonin test) all stands for the same test ,the doctor ask fro the test if needed ,and the test need no preperation it can be done in any time in the day ,the results come after 7 days .
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