Research Biomarker Category ZRT Laboratory (Urinary Neurotransmitters)

ZRT Laboratory (Urinary Neurotransmitters)

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers used by the nervous system to relay information from one nerve to another.

Optimal neurotransmitter balance is required to maintain proper health. Imbalances can cause the brain and the body to be over- or under-stimulated, producing neurological or psychological symptoms.

Genetics, environment, chemicals and nutritional deficiencies are a few factors that can impact neurotransmitter production. Once out of balance, the nervous system begins to compensate – which, in time, can lead to neurological or psychological symptoms.

Some of the more common psychological conditions today are known to be accompanied by neurotransmitter imbalances. However, it’s also possible for individuals to present with similar symptoms yet have unique foundational imbalances. Testing helps clarify these root issues.

Common neurotransmitter-related causes of health issues often involve the following scenarios:

Anxiety & Depression

Neurotransmitter imbalances are often associated with anxiety and depression, specifically Glutamate (panic attacks), PEA, Histamine, Serotonin, as well as Epinephrine & Norepinephrine.

Chronic Fatigue

An imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters can lead to persistent fatigue.

Impulsivity

GABA, Dopamine and Serotonin are three chemical messengers commonly linked to disorders like ADD, ADHD & OCD.

Insomnia

Imbalances in Glutamate, Histamine, Dopamine, GABA and Serotonin are often linked to sleep disturbances and insomnia.

PMS or PMDD

Imbalances in Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine and GABA are often involved in cases of PMDD (pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder) and severe PMS.

3-Hydroxykynurenine

Optimal range: 147 - 467 µg/g creatinine

3-Hydroxykynurenine is a metabolic intermediate of the kynurenine pathway that elicits neurotoxic effects.

5-HIAA

Optimal range: 2988 - 5850 µg/g creatinine

5-HIAA is the primary metabolite of serotonin, a chemical substance (neurotransmitter) that transmits messages between nerve cells. After it is used by the body, serotonin is broken down in the liver, and its metabolites, including 5-HIAA, are excreted in the urine.

Creatinine (pooled)

Optimal range: 0.3 - 2 mg/ml

Creatinine values are measured to correct results for urine dilution.

Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscles from the breakdown of a compound called creatine. Creatinine is filtered from the blood by the kidneys and released into the urine.

The amount of creatinine produced in the body is dependent on muscle mass and is relatively constant for an individual. The amount of creatinine removed from the blood depends on both the filtering ability of the kidneys and the rate at which blood is carried to the kidneys.

DOPAC

Optimal range: 658 - 1449 µg/g creatinine

Dopac (aka 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) is a metabolite of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine serves as the reward and pleasure center in the brain. DOPAC and HVA (Homovanillic Acid) are dopamine metabolites.

DOPAC levels, when viewed in conjunction with dopamine levels, may provide insight into how the body processes neurotransmitters.

Dopamine

Optimal range: 144 - 240 µg/g creatinine

Dopamine is a chemical found naturally in the human body. It is a neurotransmitter, meaning it sends signals from the body to the brain. Dopamine plays a part in controlling the movements a person makes, as well as their emotional responses. The right balance of dopamine is vital for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Epinephrine (pooled)

Optimal range: 1.4 - 4.2 µg/g creatinine

Epinephrine is commonly known as adrenaline. Your body naturally produces it during times of stress. The hormone is also necessary for maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system — it makes the heart beat more strongly, and diverts blood to tissues during times of stress.

GABA

Optimal range: 193 - 367 µg/g creatinine

GABA stands for Gamma-aminobutyric acid (γ-Aminobutyric Acid) and is a nonessential protein amino acid. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

Glutamate

Optimal range: 1515 - 2710 µg/g creatinine

Glutamate functions as the major excitatory neurotransmitter and metabolic fuel throughout the body. Glutamate is produced in your body, and is also found in many foods.

The brain's major excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate (also known as glutamic acid) functions as the "on" switch in the brain. Glutamate regulates appetite, thinking (cognition), increases gut motility, optimizes learning, modulates memory, mood and perception of pain, improves libido, and decreases sleep. The brain is the major contributor of glutamate in the body.

Glutamine

Optimal range: 37 - 71 µg/g creatinine

Glutamine improves immune function, balances ammonia in the body, contributes to biosynthesis of proteins, amino acids, nucleic acids, glutathione, glutamate, and GABA.

Glycine

Optimal range: 61 - 159 mcg/g Creat.

Glycine is a simple, nonessential (can be made in the body) amino acid that plays a role in the production of DNA, phospholipids, collagen, creatine, heme and glutathione. Glycine serves as a neurotransmitter that modulates excitatory signals in the brain, and as an anti-inflammatory agent that calms aggression, improves sleep quality, stabilizes blood sugar, and improves metabolic parameters.

Histamine

Optimal range: 5.2 - 15.3 µg/g creatinine

Histamine is a compound that affects immune response and physiological function of the digestive tract, and also acts as a neurotransmitter.

Histamine helps control the sleep-wake cycle as well as energy and motivation.

Histamine plays a dual role in the body as a neurotransmitter and a modulator of the immune system. Histamine has anti-pain properties, plays a neuroprotective role in the brain, and contributes to optimal maintenance of cognition and memory. Histamine stimulates wakefulness and decreases sleep, stimulates gastric acid production, increases metabolism, suppresses appetite, and prevents weight gain. Histamine is a potent vasodilator and a pro-inflammatory agent.

Histidine

Optimal range: 19.7 - 58.4 µg/g creatinine

Histidine ameliorates fatigue, promotes clear thinking and concentration, reduces appetite, decreases anxiety, improves sleep and glucose homeostasis, and gives rise to histamine.

HVA

Optimal range: 3737 - 7048 µg/g creatinine

Homovanillate (aka Homovanillic Acid) is a dopamine metabolite.

Homovanillate and Vanilmandelate are breakdown products from neurotransmitters involved in hormone and nerve impulse transmission, called catecholamines.

Kynurenic Acid

Optimal range: 639 - 1200 µg/g creatinine

Kynurenic acid, a neuroactive metabolite produced from kynurenine, is regarded to be neuroprotective unless in excess amounts.

Kynurenine

Optimal range: 257 - 960 µg/g creatinine

Kynurenine is a central metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan with vasodilatory properties.

N-Methylhistamine

Optimal range: 79 - 140 µg/g creatinine

N-methylhistamine is a major metabolite of the neurotransmitter histamine.

Norepinephrine (pooled)

Optimal range: 15 - 28.1 µg/g creatinine

Norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline, is important for mental focus and emotional stability.

Norepinephrine functions as a neurotransmitter and hormone that regulates the “fight or flight” response and elevates blood pressure and heart rate, stimulates wakefulness, and reduces digestive activity.

Normetanephrine

Optimal range: 17.9 - 31.7 µg/g creatinine

Normetanephrine, a metabolite of norepinephrine, is at normally low levels in the plasma. Certain tumors increase the levels and will increase the levels of nor-metanephrine. The Normetanephrine test, when normal, means these tumors are not present.

PEA

Optimal range: 5.3 - 16.1 µg/g creatinine

PEA stands for Beta-phenylethylamine and is an excitatory neurotransmitter made from phenylalanine and it modulates neuron voltage potentials to favor glutamate activity and neurotransmitter firing.

Ratio: Norepi/Epi

Optimal range: 5.2 - 13.7 µg/g creatinine

Norepinephrine and epinephrine are catecholamine messengers that play important roles in the regulation of diverse physiological systems by acting through adrenergic receptors.

Serotonin

Optimal range: 61 - 103.2 µg/g creatinine

Serotonin plays important roles in the resolution of mood, sleep, and appetite.

Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter synthesized by enzymes that act on tryptophan and/or 5-HTP.

Taurine

Optimal range: 24.5 - 134.1 µg/g creatinine

Taurine improves sleep, relieves anxiety, and has neuroprotective properties.

Tryptophan

Optimal range: 3970 - 8450 µg/g creatinine

Tryptophan is an amino acid that generates serotonin, melatonin, and kynurenine derivatives.

Tyramine

Optimal range: 279 - 588 µg/g creatinine

Tyramine is a trace amine derived from tyrosine, found naturally in food. Tyramine has vasoconstrictive properties and can increase blood pressure and trigger migraines.

Tyrosine

Optimal range: 4790 - 10278 µg/g creatinine

Tyrosine enhances cognitive performance, energy, and alertness, and improves memory after sleep deprivation.

VMA

Optimal range: 2580 - 4766 µg/g creatinine

Vanilmandelate is a metabolite of epinephrine and norepinephrine (also known as adrenaline and noradrenaline).

Xanthurenic Acid

Optimal range: 694 - 1510 µg/g creatinine

Xanthurenic acid is a metabolite of the kynurenine pathway, formed from 3-Hydroxykynurenine and serves as an indirect marker of vitamin B6 status.