Serotonin

What is serotonin?

Our nerve cells produce a hormone called serotonin that is in charge of sending different signals between nerve cells. Majorly found in the digestive system, serotonin can also be found in blood platelets and the central nervous system. This hormone is produced from tryptophan: an essential amino acid that we get from our diet and the food we eat. It is mainly found in red meat, cheese and nuts. When our diet is low in tryptophan, our body’s serotonin levels drop leading to mood swings, anxiety, and depression.

Serotonin plays a major role in our body. it is a natural mood stabilizer; and, the perfect hormone that can help us sleep, eat, and digest well. Other functions of this hormone include reducing depression, regulating anxiety, healing our wounds, stimulating nausea, and maintaining a good bone health.

When it comes to our gastrointestinal tract, serotonin that is found in our stomach and intestines can help control our bowel movements and functions. This hormone can help regulate anxiety, happiness, and our mood. Studies have shown that low levels of serotonin can put the person at high risk of depression and low sex drive. Serotonin is the hormone that is responsible for making you feel nauseated, especially after eating something noxious. From another angle, it is in charge of stimulating a part of our brain that can help control our sleep and waking cycle. Serotonin can also help you heal wounds by causing small arteries to narrow; and, blood clots to form. When it comes to our skeletal system, increased levels of serotonin can weaken our bones. Finally, low levels of serotonin can lead to low sex drive and a lower libido.

Serotonin has a major impact on our mental health. When levels are within normal ranges, you feel happier, calmer, more focused, less anxious and more emotionally stable. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience, low serotonin levels are linked to mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism. The scientists add that serotonin is one of the most important neurotransmitters influencing mental health. According to them, there’s only two percent of serotonin that is present in the center nervous system. This minute amount plays a fundamental role in the etiology of many mental disorders.

Why get tested for serotonin?

Despite the fact that serotonin is what is called a “happy hormone”, testing it is essential to detect carcinoid syndrome that is a group of symptoms caused by carcinoids tumors. These latter develop in the intestine, colon, appendix, and bronchial tubes of the lungs. Those who have this condition have very high levels of serotonin in their system.

Some signs of carcinoid tumors include flushing of the face and neck, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. Having a rapid heart beat accompanied by wheezing, coughing, and difficulty in breathing are also common signs. The test is also used in parallel with the 24-hour urine HIAA test.

This test is not used to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment or to detect a possible recurrence of these tumors.

What could cause levels of serotonin to alter?

There are many medications and drugs that can alter your levels of serotonin. These include morphine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, methyldopa, and lithium. Those who may have intestinal obstruction, acute myocardial infarction, cystic fibrosis and dumping syndrome may have lower than normal levels of serotonin.

What your serotonin test results mean?

Under normal circumstances, the normal ranges of serotonin are between 50 and 200 ng/ml. these values may differ according to laboratories and the techniques they use to measure the hormone. If levels are higher than normal; then, you may have carcinoid syndrome. If your levels are below the normal ranges, some medications may be effective. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Some natural serotonin boosters include being exposed to sunlight, exercising regularly, adopting a healthy diet, and meditating.

Drugs that can increase your serotonin levels can lead to serotonin syndrome. This is normally the case when you begin taking a new drug of change the dosage of your old drug. This syndrome has symptoms like shivering, diarrhea, headache, confusion, dilated pupils, and goose bumps. Some severe symptoms may include twitching muscles, losing muscle agility, muscle stiffness, developing high fever, having a rapid heartbeat, having high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and seizures. This syndrome does not have a specific test to be diagnosed; however, a physical exam can help determine if you have it. If left untreated, the centrum can be life threatening.

Where can I get a serotonin test near me?

Please use our Lab Locator to find find a convenient testing location.

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Jul 29, 2019