Quick Facts
- Sample: Dried urine (4 collections over 1 day)
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: 5-7 business days once the lab receives the specimen. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Identify root causes of mood, sleep, and behavioral issues through comprehensive neurotransmitter analysis
- At-home convenience with simple dried urine collection—no clinic visits required
- Advanced LC-MS technology provides highly accurate results with >0.85 correlation to gold-standard methods
- Personalized insights help guide targeted treatment and supplement strategies with your healthcare provider
- Track progress over time to monitor treatment effectiveness and neurochemical balance improvements
- Discreet and confidential testing results delivered securely
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing unexplained mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- People with chronic stress, fatigue, or sleep disturbances
- Those with ADD/ADHD symptoms or concentration difficulties
- Women dealing with PMS/PMDD or hormonal mood changes
- Anyone monitoring response to neurochemical therapies or medications
- Health-conscious individuals seeking preventive neurochemical health insights
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Collect samples at home using the provided kit—four urine collections throughout one day on filter strips
- Mail your samples using the prepaid shipping envelope after allowing strips to dry overnight
- Receive results in 5-7 business days with detailed analysis and reference ranges for all biomarkers
FAQ
What neurotransmitters does this test measure? The test analyzes 14 key biomarkers including serotonin, dopamine, GABA, norepinephrine, epinephrine, glutamate, and their metabolites to provide comprehensive neurochemical insight.
Is this test accurate compared to traditional methods? Yes, the LC-MS technology demonstrates >0.85 correlation coefficients with gold-standard testing methods for major neurotransmitters (ZRT Laboratory 2023).
Can I use this test to diagnose mental health conditions? No, this test identifies imbalances and patterns but cannot diagnose specific conditions—results should be reviewed with your healthcare provider for proper interpretation.
What should I avoid before testing? Avoid bananas, pineapple, avocado, nuts, alcohol, nicotine, and protein supplements the day before testing to ensure accurate results.
How often should I retest? Retesting intervals depend on your condition and provider guidance—typically every 6-12 months for monitoring, or sooner when starting new therapies.
Do I need a doctor's order for this test? No, this is a direct-access test that doesn't require a physician's order, though we recommend discussing results with your healthcare provider.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Neurotransmitter Urine Profile evaluates up to 14 neurotransmitters and metabolites to identify biochemical imbalances that may contribute to mood disorders, ADD/ADHD, PMS/PMDD, stress responses, and addictive behaviors. This comprehensive analysis helps uncover the root neurochemical causes of persistent emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms (Mayo Clinic 2023).
The nervous system relies on neurotransmitters as chemical messengers to transfer information between nerve cells. Maintaining optimal neurotransmitter balance is crucial for mental and emotional wellbeing. When imbalances occur, they can lead to over- or under-stimulation of brain circuits, resulting in various neurological and psychological symptoms.
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly valuable for individuals experiencing unexplained mood swings, chronic stress, fatigue, concentration difficulties, or sleep disturbances. Up to 60% of patients with depressive symptoms exhibit measurable neurotransmitter disturbances, making this testing especially relevant for those with mood disorders (APA 2023).
Women experiencing PMS/PMDD symptoms may find this testing helpful, as up to 8% of U.S. women are affected by these conditions, often involving neurotransmitter imbalances (Johns Hopkins 2022). The test is also beneficial for individuals monitoring their response to neurochemical therapies or seeking preventive health insights.
When should I order the Neurotransmitter Urine Profile - ZRT Test Kit?
Consider ordering this test if you're experiencing ongoing emotional, cognitive, or behavioral symptoms without a clear underlying cause. It's particularly useful when conventional approaches haven't provided adequate answers or when you want to monitor your response to therapy or medication changes.
The test is ideal for establishing baseline neurochemical status before starting treatment, tracking progress during interventions, or investigating persistent symptoms that may have a neurochemical component. Early identification of neurotransmitter imbalances can help guide more targeted and effective treatment approaches.
How do I interpret the results?
Results compare your neurotransmitter levels to age- and sex-adjusted reference ranges, showing whether levels are low, optimal, or elevated. The report includes detailed explanations of each biomarker's role and potential implications of imbalances.
Below reference
- What it means: Potential deficiency or underproduction
- Typical action: Consider nutritional support, lifestyle changes
Within reference
- What it means: Normal levels for your demographics
- Typical action: Maintain current health practices
Above reference
- What it means: Possible overproduction or retention
- Typical action: Investigate underlying causes, consider interventions
Remember that neurotransmitter levels can be influenced by diet, supplements, medications, stress, and overall health status—interpretation should always involve your healthcare provider.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
For optimal accuracy, avoid bananas, pineapple, avocado, nuts, nut butters, alcohol, nicotine, and protein powders or shakes the day before testing. Maintain normal hydration levels but don't significantly increase or decrease fluid intake.
Do not perform this test if you have known kidney dysfunction, as accurate urinary results depend on normal renal function. Continue taking prescribed medications unless specifically advised otherwise by your healthcare provider, but note them when submitting your sample information.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial assessment: Baseline testing
- Monitoring treatment: Every 3–6 months
- Stable management: Every 6–12 months
- Symptom changes: As needed with provider guidance
Why early detection matters
An estimated 26% of American adults experience a diagnosable mental health disorder annually, with many cases involving underlying neurochemical imbalances (NIMH 2023). Early identification and intervention for mood and behavioral disorders can reduce long-term healthcare costs by 20-30% while improving quality of life outcomes (CDC 2023).
Identifying neurotransmitter imbalances early allows for targeted interventions before symptoms become severe or chronic. This proactive approach can help prevent the development of more serious mental health conditions and reduce the need for multiple medications or extensive treatments later.
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