As a continuation of thought on my previous post regarding the value of integrating neurotransmitter testing in PD treatment, this post is to solicit feedback/insight/experience with testing further up the biosynthesis chain by testing amino acid levels ... specifically those involved in the dopamine biosynthesis chain (l-phenylalanine and l-tyrosine).

Here are my amateur thoughts, I'd love to hear your ideas/feedback:

- My Mom is only taking 2 x 25/100 sinemet per day, so I think she's relatively early in her dependence on sinemet. I would like for her to start a complimentary treatment that would, hopefully, energize her own internal dopamine production by supplementing with precursors (l-tyrosine, NADH, etc.).

- So, my idea is to have her amino acid levels tested to find out where in the dopamine biosynthesis chain we need to focus on with supplements.

protein --> l-phenylalanine --> l-tyrosine --> l-dopa --> dopamine

I think/hope that if you specifically know your levels of l-phenylalanine and l-tyrosine you can choose your choice of amino acid supplement(s) more selectively, and on top of that, be able to measure if your supplements are increasing your body's supply of these amino acids effectively over time.

Another random but related thought is that my mother has gastro intestinal problems including GERD, and I suspect as with many aging people, low levels of hydrochloric acid. I am wondering if because of her lower acid levels she is not able to properly digest and extract amino acids from the protein she eats, since protein requires higher acidity to digest. Maybe this test will help answer that question as well (if she is low in l-phenylalanine) ... stricly a hypothesis of course, and I'm sure there are many more variables involved.

Finally, another potential benefit is that we can get a measure on her l-tryptophan levels. She is currently taking an SSRI for mild depression. It would be interesting to see if she has abnormally low levels of tryptophan, which may also lead to choices about how to treat her low(er) seratonin levels ... and perhaps that is also related to poor digestion of proteins (very hypothetical again).

Besides any feedback on this approach, has anyone ever gotten their amino acid levels checked and did it reveal anything of interest regarding your condition?