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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Garnet71 on January 10, 2009, at 19:01:27
Has anyone had actual medical tests for anxiety, depression, ADD, bippolar? Has anyone had their neurotransmittrs tested to see which ones were the problem?
Any tests by neurologists or endocronologists?
The symptoms of these disorders mimic hyperglycemia, among other things.
Posted by JadeKelly on January 10, 2009, at 20:04:10
In reply to Medical Tests for anxiety/depression/ADD/bipolar, posted by Garnet71 on January 10, 2009, at 19:01:27
>First, good post. Thanks!
Has anyone had actual medical tests for anxiety, depression, ADD, bippolar? Has anyone had their neurotransmittrs tested to see which ones were the problem?
I'm not aware of any medical testing being used for any of the above. At least none that are available to the general public. Docs often give Pet scans for suspected Alzhiemer's, those may show areas of irregularity suggesting depression or whatever, but good luck getting one. Of course someone in a "state of anxiety" or a person who is in a "manic state" is going to show physical symptoms, but I think thats as close as we've come.
>
> Any tests by neurologists or endocronologists?
>
> The symptoms of these disorders mimic hyperglycemia, among other things.Here's where I hope you get some attention. I believe, as do many posters, that everyone experiencing emotional, cognitive symptoms or physical symptoms should recieve a FULL physical, a consultation with an Endo followed by full testing, I geuss if you can swing it a follow up by a Neurologist wouldn't hurt but I think certain criteria are going to have to be met to get in to see a Neurologist.
For suspected ADD I suggest asking a trusted Doc for a referral to be tested for this. This is not a medical test but a comprehensive evaluation done by someone who is an expert in the field.
There is also a test called a Neuro-Psych Evaluation. If given by the right person, this test can reveal some important info depending on the person.
Thats what I know, I'm sure there is lots more.
Thanks,
~Jade
Posted by Phillipa on January 10, 2009, at 21:18:29
In reply to Medical Tests for anxiety/depression/ADD/bipolar, posted by Garnet71 on January 10, 2009, at 19:01:27
Panic attacks led me to the hospital where hasimotos thyroiditis was discovered. Treatment thyroid medication was started first time in l0 days ears popped like getting over a cold and felt better didn't need much benzo at all. As far as neurotransmitters don't think there is one but genes sometimes can be tested and family history. Also I was at the same time tested for lymes disease which was positive Western blot, spinal fluid taps and MRI were normal spent month in hospital pic line for Rocephin Iv and then biaxin xl for three years at three months at a time. Did you know if you test positive for lymes you also test positive for syphlis even though you don't have it. Still test postive for lymes but the docs say no more antibiotics. So many physical things can cause psychiatric problems. All the autoimmune diseases. Simple tests can rule them in or out and MRI. So consult an excellent internist and demand if you have to full thyroid panels, pituitary function which would be adrenal gland which most accurate 24 hour urine collection. Good luck. Love Phillipa
Posted by Garnet71 on January 10, 2009, at 21:57:25
In reply to Re: Medical Tests for anxiety/depression/ADD/bipolar » Garnet71, posted by Phillipa on January 10, 2009, at 21:18:29
Thanks Jade; Phillipa...
I just found out about the adrenal test too. I had chronic severe stress for several years straight..single parent of ADHD child, working 2 jobs, poor, no health insurance, etc. etc. etc.
Phillipa, I pulled a tick out of my leg right before all this started...I had to practically beg for a Lyme test because there was no red spot. Did the test 4 or 5 years later after the bite though, after reading about Lyme (doctors knew about the tick but never told me about nervous system problems). I guess this is all a coincidence because the test was negative. But my anxiety I had was unheard of--I had explosions in my chest--I mean my heart would feel it literally erupt from sleep. I was sleeping less than 2 hrs a night, but when I did manage to fall asleep it was an eruption...I can only think it was an explosion of adrenaline. Nothing ever compared to that torture.
I wish I knew about these tests several years ago. I would have taken the adrenal test. I think SSRIs ruined me. I feel like I have hyperglycemia also. I've been reading that many of the psych meds cause diabetes or prediabetes.
I am glad for you, Philippa, that you got treatment for Lyme instead of suffering needlessly not knowing.
Posted by JadeKelly on January 10, 2009, at 22:18:51
In reply to Re: Medical Tests for anxiety/depression/ADD/bipolar, posted by Garnet71 on January 10, 2009, at 21:57:25
Hi,
Thanks for the follow up. Will the Endo Doc do the adrenal test? If not who? Seems like a test that should be done before one A/D is given. However, I suppose treatments will be the same if the adrenal problem came from too much stress at once, which I believe is what got a lot of us here talking. I wonder if there is a treatment. I'm gonna google it and see what I come up with.
Oh-btw, I have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). I had that long before I was depressed.
I'm interested to see if a list of tests presents from your post, one that makes sense especially for people who are just considering A/D's.
Keep me posted will ya? Thanks!
~Jade
Posted by Garnet71 on January 11, 2009, at 0:31:20
In reply to Medical Tests for anxiety/depression/ADD/bipolar, posted by Garnet71 on January 10, 2009, at 19:01:27
This company tests neurotransmitters--but it could be a scam for all I know. Has anyone tried this company, NeuroScience?
https://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=48#PEA
Posted by JadeKelly on January 11, 2009, at 0:57:49
In reply to Re: Medical Tests for anxiety/depression/ADD/bipolar, posted by Garnet71 on January 11, 2009, at 0:31:20
> This company tests neurotransmitters--but it could be a scam for all I know. Has anyone tried this company, NeuroScience?
>
> https://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=48#PEAI've never heard of them, I have heard there are scams out there. I think for something like that I would only trust my Doc, or check with several people in the medical fields.
Are you looking to see which neurotransmitter you are deficient in? I think sometimes it can be done by keeping a mood chart (this of course was my brilliant idea) NOT, and looking at your feelings throut the day, your energy levels, etc from that, over time a pattern should develop which I think will help you sort out what neuros may be affected.
Just a thought!
~jade
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2009, at 12:23:47
In reply to Re: Medical Tests for anxiety/depression/ADD/bipolar, posted by Garnet71 on January 11, 2009, at 0:31:20
Garnet you know I briefly remember someone once posting that there was a company that does test. Sorry can't remember who it was or which site? Maybe someone else knows????? Love Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on January 11, 2009, at 14:46:01
In reply to Medical Tests for anxiety/depression/ADD/bipolar, posted by Garnet71 on January 10, 2009, at 19:01:27
While there are many dozens of biological causes of depression, many of which could be tested for, it would economically impossible to do all that testing. Here are the most important ones however, which in my opinion probably cover most of the bases:
Heavy metal urine challenge test: Take 12.5mg DMSA every 4 hours around the clock for 3 days, followed by a 1200mg dose, followed by collecting urine for the next 6 hours. If you have mercury and lead clogging your synapses, receptors, glands, and hormones, it will show up in this provoked urine. Several labs do this. Metals can also be tested in hair, but it is not reliable since metals embed themselves deep in cells. Hair would only show recent exposure. If you have or ever had silver fillings in your teeth, metals are strongly suspect as a cause of depression.
Cortisol 24 hour 4 sample saliva test. Spit into 4 different test tubes 4 times in a day. Your cortisol curve will tell a lot. The activity of your serotonin and norepinephrine is directly tied to what cortisol is doing. If found to be out of range, cortisol can be manipulated up or down to adjust. Do not underestimate the power of hormones, especially this one.
Thyroid TSH, freeT3, totalT4, and thyroid antibodies. The so-called normal range is actually much too broad, so look for numbers at least in the middle of the range, but preferably close to the "best" side of the range.
Lyme. Western Blot test is the most accurate, but yet no tests are completely accurate. This serious psychiatric disease is best diagnosed with a combination of lab tests and clinical symptoms judged by a doctor familiar with Lyme. It is estimated there are tens or even hundreds of thousands of undiagnosed cases, given other names such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, alzheimers, chronic fatigue, fibromylagia, MS, when in fact it is the "Great Imitator" of all neuromuscular and neuropsychiatric diseases...Lyme. One need not remember being bitten and need not have had the famous rash to have contracted Lyme. It is a devastating one that hides so well. As it is such a great deceiver, I think Satan himself must have invented it.
Urine Dysbiosis. This test will show the waste byproducts of various pathogens. If you have Candida overgrowth, its telltale chemical will show up in urine, as the body does not normally produce it. Candida can mimic depression.
And you could get tested for levels of B vitamins and vitamin D, all of which are very important in psychiatry.
The neurotransmitter tests are not useful. They only show metabolites in urine or what is floating in the blood, but not what is going on in the nervous system. There is a study at pubmed where they measured neurotransmitters the only accurate way there is...spinal tap...and then assigned the patients to either serotonin or norepinephrine antidepressants depending on which they needed according to the tests. Those who needed serotonin responded equally well to either antidepressant. Those who needed norepinephrine also responded to serotonin antidepressants. This kind of testing sounds so logical on paper, but it just doesn't work in the real world. The drugs do so much more stuff than simply neurotransmitters. They instruct genes, turn them up or down, on or off, influence hormones, and such. Stuff not even related to neurotransmitters. The whole idea that depression is a neurotransmitter thing is not even fact after all these decades. It is still theory and still fails to explain why some improve and some don't.
I've had all the above tests. Total cost out-of-pocket was about $500. Insurance will cover some or all of them if you go through the right labs. I think it is a wise investment to either rule the above causes in or out, so you can more effectively attack your depression. For example, if it is mercury or lead, DMSA is your recovery drug, not an antidepressant. If it is Lyme, you will focus on the antibiotic world instead of the psychiatric world. When the insult on your brain is gone, so is your depression.
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2009, at 18:32:41
In reply to Re: Medical Tests for anxiety/depression/ADD/bipolar, posted by Garnet71 on January 10, 2009, at 21:57:25
Garnet no I also had no indication of tic bite no bullseye rash, fever, arthritis as the time. It also unless you have Western blot could come out negative as Elisa is not accurate many false negatives. Took both an infection control specialish and rhematologist to work together in hospital with the spinal taps, MRI's, and symptoms. Rheumatoid thought I was a missmash his words of autoimmune diseases and ANA at the time was over 1:2800. Extremely high. Still test postive health dept calls when don't to inform me of positive result. So tomorrow when see endo asking for another Western Blot and this new blood test for MS as they also looked for that. Blueberry gave excellent advise also. Love Phillipa ps my tic bite occurred years before it was diagnosed.
Posted by Garnet71 on January 12, 2009, at 13:13:47
In reply to Re: Medical Tests for anxiety/depression/ADD/bipolar, posted by bleauberry on January 11, 2009, at 14:46:01
Thanks so much for all the information; I've been checking into all of this and am printing this list out for future reference.
I decided to request a referral for a doc from a Lyme organization before I take any more psych meds. Hopefully, that person will be a neurologist.
Phillipa,
Please tells us more about your experience with Lyme.Thanks to all and peace~
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