How to Measure Serotonin Level

Serotonin--a chemical in the brain that regulates mood, sleep, appetite and aggression--is difficult to measure. It is not possible to directly measure levels of serotonin in the brain of a living person. Because the cells that produce serotonin either reabsorb it or release it into the bloodstream, where it breaks down into different compounds, researchers have developed a test that can measure the amount of these compounds in the blood to estimate serotonin levels. Only a doctor can perform these tests. Interestingly, doctors test for these compounds because they are leading indicators of a specific type of cancer in the digestive system--not for depression or mental health.

Instructions

• 1

  Ask your doctor if you need a serum serotonin test. Talk with him about your concerns and why you wish to have this test. If he decides the test is necessary, he will need to draw blood.

• 2

  Roll up your sleeve and allow your doctor or nurse to place an elastic band around your upper arm to make your veins swell and stand out. The person drawing the blood for the test will insert a needle into the vein and collect blood through a tube into an airtight container. When the container is full, she will remove the needle and place a bandage on the insertion site.

• 3

  Call your doctor in a few days to get the results of the test from the laboratory. Talk with your doctor about what the results of the test mean for you, and ask questions about any possible follow-up tests that you may need.