Is a blood test for serotonin an accurate and/or reliable way of diagnosing or determining clinical depression

Question

My husband was recently diagnosed with anemia and depression. The anemia was based on physical symptoms and blood tests. The depression diagnosis was based on mental and emotional symptoms. He also asked for a serotonin blood test, which was normal. He's been taking iron and an antidepressant. Now he says he "feels great" and that he thinks it was all because of the anemia. And he also believes now that he wasn't really depressed at all, since his serotonin level was normal. I'm really concerned that he will stop taking the antidepressant. And I really don't want to go back to the way he was when he started taking it. He was lethargic, but also very on edge and easily pissed off/quick to anger. It was like walking on glass around here. I just can't go through that again...
Thanks.

Answer 1

By definition (from the DSM-IV), major depressive disorder can't be diagnosed if there is a medical condition that could be causing the symptoms. Anemia would make him feel lethargic. While it shouldn't in itself make him irritable or edgy, people sometimes become that way when they feel like crap. I wasn't there when he was diagnosed and there may have been other symptoms of depression that could not be attributed to anemia.

Without having seen your husband back then and how he is now, this is a tough question to answer. If he really did have Major Depressive Disorder, then he needs to stay on the antidepressant for at least three months before trying to come off of it (assuming he has never had depressive episodes before--if he has he should stay on the meds longer). At the same time, I have a nagging suspicion that he is right and he did not truly have depression.

A diagnosis of depression is made based on questions and answers with the patient. There is some belief that patients with depression have decreased serotonin activity in their brain. This is still being debated and in order to test for this accurately, you need to do a spinal tap to check for 5-HIAA (breakdown product of serotonin) in the cerebro-spinal fluid. Blood or urine tests are not useful because the results will be skewed by serotonin produced in other parts of the body.

There isn't any real downside to staying on the antidepressant (unless he is experiencing side effects). If you are that concerned about it, it wouldn't hurt for him to stay on it for the three months.

Answer 2

Ask him to have full testing done by a psychiatrist to help you two determine what kind of depression he had or has or if he is maybe on too much anti depressant etc. I know he won't want to have this testing done, but It is important. I am a bi poloar with severe clinical depression. I know what it was like living with me now that I am clearly medicated properly. taking meds sucks and the first sign of a problem is the old I feel great I don't need these anymore. Then you are back to where you started and probably worse. anemia has nothing to with being pissed off and quick to anger. and no, I have never heard of diagnosing depression through a blood test. My levels would have been fine to just diffrent from one day to the next. good luck, and tell him how much this means to you. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Serotonin Blood Test

Answer 4

Certainly in UK, we do not do serotonin level as depression is diagnosed on symtoms alone. Physical symptoms for depression include insomnia (difficult to go to sleep) and early morning waking (waking up very early in the morning without cause and can't sleep again), poor appetite and weight loss, and lethargy. Symptoms of anaemia are tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and occasionally chest pain. Anaemia certainly wouldn't directly make him depressed, though one may be depressed from feeling tired all the time without any known cause.

In any case, he should take the antidepressant for a minimum of 3 months, preferbly 6. When he is due to stop it he should tail it off slowly rather then stopping abruptly, as he can have a rebound depression.

Also note that depression doesn't have to be treated by tablets. He may benefit from counselling (with a psychologist), relaxation therapy etc. It all depends on why he feels depress in the first place.

Speak to your doctor for further information.

Adrian (A&E doctor)

Answer 5

I have always been told that people can have clinical depression or an incident related depression. Most people I know take an antidepressant for 8 or 10 months....if they go off the antidepressant under the psychiatrist's care and they don't get depressed again, they may not be clinically depressed. But, most people I know lasted about 3 months off the meds and then were willing to accept the diagnosis of clinical depression and stay on one the rest of their lives......good luck....

Answer 6

Sometimes it's easier to sense that a guy does like you through a hug then it is to tell if he doesn't. For one, I think it depends on who asked for the hug. I know I surely wouldn't be the one to ask for a hug if I didn't like the person, so if he is the one to ask, that' s a good sign. Second, take into consideration how long the hug lasts for. A guy just being nice would have no interest in subdoing himself to an awquard situation for very long. Third, does he seem into it? You can tell when you are almost forcing a hug out of someone. They don't move and at a first glance you question whether or not you are hugging a tree. A guy who is into a hug will hold you tight and kind of rub your back, or just move a bit to show he didn't fall asleep. Last and for most, If he reaches for a second hug you are golden! Hope this helps!

Answer 7

nope, serotonin is only one of the possible causes of depression. anemia CAN in fact cause some of the same symptoms as depression. unfortunately your husbands physician should have treated the anemia first and if he still exhibited signs of depression THEN he could start administering antidepressants. after a 6 month period your husband can ask the doctor if he can wean off the antidepressants. unfortunately coming off the antidepressants is the only way to find out if he will need antidepressants for life or not. you are wonderful for standing by him and trying to understand. i know it is difficult. and this may be a long road if he does in fact have chronic depression. please hang in there. ask him to not just quit the anti depressants cold turkey as some can cause uncomfortable side effects if stopped suddenly. basically it's always best to talk with the doctor about any and all matters concerning starting and stopping medicines. my best wishes to you and your husband.

Answer 8

Serotonin is not the only neuro-transmitter that keeps us relativly happen/not-depressed. He may have been depressed because of a past event, but is now over it. THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH DEPRESSION IS: We (yes, I have it too and take meds) tend to feel good with meds, think we are OK, and stop taking our meds. It's called the "Revolving Door" in Psyc Wards. I have worked in plenty - he should keep taking the medicene for depression so he doesn't relapse. Good luck, Kitty

Answer 9

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Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 10

if he was diagnosed with depression, it has all forms such as clinical, bi-polar,etc. I don't really understand about the blood test thing, i just get them done, i would ask his doctor about your concerns.And i understand about walking on glass,it is very stressful.Also if he is bipolar that is part of the disease,once the person starts feeling good they go off their meds, and the whole bull crap starts all over again.