Depression

We hope for your sake that you’ve never suffered from depression in your life, but if you have, there is so much that we can do for you.   Fill out the medical history questionnaire and fax it to us (information is on the Home Page).  This information is confidential unless you choose for us to release it to someone such as insurances or other medical providers.

Routinely, we measure markers for B-12 and folic acid metabolism, as adequate levels of the two nutrients are crucial for normal functioning of the nervous system.  Methylmalonic acid (we measure this in blood, although urine testing is available) inversely measures storage of B-12, while homocysteine inversely measures folic acid stores in the body.

In addition to the above, detailed thyroid hormone levels must be measured in the blood.  Our thyroid work up includes the pituitary hormone TSH, the free T3 and free T4 thyroid homone levels, reverse T3, thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies, and sometimes, total thyroglobulin.  In addition, we also check adrenal function in the blood in order to get a rough estimate of free cortisol, DHEA-S, and the pituitary hormone ACTH.

Mood is controlled by the complex interaction of a web of biochemical components in the body, and mood evaluation requires a thorough biochemical evaluation of as many components as can be measured.  Evaluation of depression sometimes requires acute administration of medications to help stabilize mood; however, the medications we have available to treat depression do not function to raise levels of low neurochemicals.  Rather, antidepressant medications function to recycle the low levels of chemicals, and give us the opportunity to stabilize depression so that we can take our time determining and treating the CAUSE of depression.

In addition to thyroid and adrenal imbalances causing depression, there are many other contributors. We have our folks stop all artificial sweeteners (no exceptions: all of these can affect mood), and use only non-processed, organic stevia, light agave nectar, sorhum, and occasionally, honey to sweeten foods.  We recommend stopping sucrose (table sugar) as well as foods with a high glycemic LOAD.  We also include an exercise program in treatment of depression as well as in treatment of all other concerns.

We measure adrenal hormones in assessing mood, including free cortisol (sometimes 24 hour urinary free cortisol), catecholamines, metanephrines, and markers for B-12 and folate metabolism, routinely.  NeuroSciences Company offers urinary testing to spot-check many neurotransmitters, and we make this and other testing routinely available to our clients.

Levels of the steroid hormones must be evaluated routinely in assessing contributory factors of depression. We prefer salivary testing of estrone, estradiol, progesterone, DHEA-S, and testosterone, but also use blood and urine to test levels of the same, with exception of progesterone, which we do not test in blood as we have found that test to be least accurate.  Should imbalance be found, we might choose bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for you.

Heavy metals, both beneficial and toxic, are measured routinely in our assessment of mood disturbance, also.  Should heavy metals toxicities be discovered, we choose to treat nutritionally.

Admitting to depression does not in any way illustrate weakness, and recognizing depression allows us to treat the symptoms using traditional pharmaceuticals if fast relief is needed, while spending the time necessary to balance whatever biochemical components might require adjustment, using a molecular approach (nutrition!).

Healing takes time, and there are no magic bullets.  We are committed to your health and will spend the time to guide you to regain it, whatever that takes.