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Testing body chemistry for bipolar
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lapere posted:
I understand that the "science" underlying our understanding of bipolar disorder is not complete, but many sites online - especially "natural" approaches - claim that neurotransmitters can be tested in bipolar patients. Is this true? And, if it is, who does this kind of testing. I have a son, aged 23, just newly diagnosed and I don't think any of his doctors have tested him before prescribing medications.
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Testing body chemistry for bipolarI understand that the "science" underlying our understanding of bipolar disorder is not complete, but many sites online - especially "natural" approaches - claim that neurotransmitters can be tested in bipolar patients. Is this true? And, if it is, who does this kind of testing. I have a son, aged 23, just newly diagnosed and I don't think any of his doctors have tested him before prescribing medications.
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Joseph F Goldberg, MD responded:
No, there is no meaningful way to measure brain neurotransmitter levels in people.

If your son has bipolar disorder I would discourage wasting your time on that and focus instead on the many known realities of the disorder. There are some excellent resources with validated science behind them that are posted under "Resources" on this website.

- Dr. G.
Report This| Share this:Testing body chemistry for bipolarNo, there is no meaningful way to measure brain neurotransmitter levels in people. <br /> <br />If your son has bipolar disorder I would discourage wasting your time on that and focus instead on the many known realities of the disorder. There are some excellent resources with validated science behind them that are posted under "Resources" on this website.<br /> <br />- Dr. G.
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kit_kats responded:
Hi. I realize this was posted a couple of years ago but I found this article that helps to use your genes to find right anti-depressant ...however, I found and met with a pyschiciatrist this week that has blood work done first for her bipolar patients to check their genes to see what medications their body can and can't handle and to rule out any other diseases. I was told Blue Cross/Blue Shield covers those tests. I have United Healthcare and they don't cover that. I found her on
http://www.psychologytoday.com You can try to locate someone in your area. I hope your son is ok. I am bipolar and it sucks. Hang in there!
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/06/19/genetic-testing-to-choose-right-antidepressant/
Report This| Share this:Testing body chemistry for bipolarHi. I realize this was posted a couple of years ago but I found this article that helps to use your genes to find right anti-depressant ...however, I found and met with a pyschiciatrist this week that has blood work done first for her bipolar patients to check their genes to see what medications their body can and can't handle and to rule out any other diseases. I was told Blue Cross/Blue Shield covers those tests. I have United Healthcare and they don't cover that. I found her on<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.psychologytoday.com">http://www.psychologytoday.com</a> You can try to locate someone in your area. I hope your son is ok. I am bipolar and it sucks. Hang in there!<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/06/19/genetic-testing-to-choose-right-antidepressant/">http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/06/19/genetic-testing-to-choose-right-antidepressant/</a>
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