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.
LEARN MORE5-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.
LEARN MORECreatinine (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.
LEARN MOREDOPAC
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.
LEARN MOREDopamine
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.
LEARN MOREEpinephrine (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.
LEARN MOREGABA
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.
LEARN MOREGlutamate
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.
LEARN MOREGlutamine
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.
LEARN MOREGlycine
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.
LEARN MOREHistamine
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.
LEARN MOREHistidine
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.
LEARN MOREHVA
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.
LEARN MOREKynurenic 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.
LEARN MOREKynurenine
Optimal range: 257 - 960 µg/g creatinine
Kynurenine is a central metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan with vasodilatory properties.
LEARN MOREN-Methylhistamine
Optimal range: 79 - 140 µg/g creatinineNorepinephrine (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.
LEARN MORENormetanephrine
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.
LEARN MOREPEA
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.
LEARN MORERatio: 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.
LEARN MORESerotonin
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.
LEARN MORETaurine
Optimal range: 24.5 - 134.1 µg/g creatinineTryptophan
Optimal range: 3970 - 8450 µg/g creatinine
Tryptophan is an amino acid that generates serotonin, melatonin, and kynurenine derivatives.
LEARN MORETyramine
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.
LEARN MORETyrosine
Optimal range: 4790 - 10278 µg/g creatinine
Tyrosine enhances cognitive performance, energy, and alertness, and improves memory after sleep deprivation.
LEARN MOREVMA
Optimal range: 2580 - 4766 µg/g creatinine
Vanilmandelate is a metabolite of epinephrine and norepinephrine (also known as adrenaline and noradrenaline).
LEARN MOREXanthurenic 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.
LEARN MORE