Tommy..There is no blood test for pd..What they do is an MRI of the brain to rule out other issues..ie..tumors, MS, ALS etc..If the MRI comes back negative, then the Dr looks for symptoms such as pd etc..This is how pd is diagnosed..Pd does not show up on an MRI..The only other test, and I dont know much about it, or how accurate it is, is a PET scan

In my case, they also did an MRI of my spine to rule out a disc problem, or a tumor causing my symptoms

If the Dr suspects pd, he usually will have the patient try pd meds to see if they work on the symptoms, and if the meds reduce the symptoms, then its probably pd

What kinds of symptoms are you experiencing?

Yeah, Tommy, I had a little bit of difficulty wrapping my head around the "low dopamine" thing because it seems the more we hear, the more the presence of dopamine seems like an elusive and almost unquantifiable property - affected by as diverse agents as cigarets, chocolate, anti-depressants, stress, gambling, shopping, love-making, expectations, and PD drugs....

...which makes one wonder a little about the scientific soundness of the whole PD diagnostic process a little sometimes??...like if it's not this, then it must be that?

..so as to whether to try specific supplements to balance your chemicals out, I don't know about that...I don't have much helpful to suggest, but maybe to consider the vagueness of the info you got and ask for more specificity from your doc???

good luck, kid. Hope you feel better.
Fiona

re the testing you are having Tommy....

my son has Tourette Syndrome and so dopamine is also an issue, although opposite from PD, in that there is either too much and/or a hyper-reactivity to dopamine

Many with TS, autism and other neuro conditions that I have contact with are using NeuroSciences labs for neurotransmitter (including dopamine), endocrinological and immunological testing parameters. Its ordered by your doc if they agree and some insurances cover it


here's a link to the testing they offer.
https://www.neurorelief.com/index.ph...d=19&Itemid=74

I dont know if that can be helpful to you, Tommy, or to anyone else wanting to look into it.

Hello all, thanks again for your replies.

I definitely do not have PD. I was on tyrosine after the doctor told me about potential dopamine shortage and it worked. I believe I have isolated the cause. However, the tyrosine caused 1 side effect which was the pain in the liver/gallbladder area. So I am looking for a replacement.

Is it safe for a non PD patient to use Mucuna Pruriens? I know this will work along the same pathway as tyrosine but just need to know if it is safe.

Chemar, thanks for your guidance and defending me

I am no expert but use of Mucuna Pruriens is not limited to PD patients only (it is an aphrodisiac as well), and to the best of my knowledge, it is not a toxic drug if used appropriately, (remember that I have no medical background).

Neil.

I'm aquainted w/ a guy w/wout PD who uses mucuna on an as-needed basis. he take's it when he feels frazzled, emotionaly, etc.

I take it and tho it's a mere bean powder, I absolutely consider it a drug.

Can you see an Upper Cervical Chiropractor?? Your symptoms sound like they could be related to a head injury - do you recall such? go to upcspine.org (maybe .com?) and read greg's story. good luck! ibby

Hmm, Ib, really interesting that you should say that. Because my doctor told me that he's sure that I have PD because a 'normal' person would have absolutely no response to the medication. But it sounds like that's not always the case maybe?

He just notices he feels better after awhile when he takes it. // and JWH says some ''savy' doctors take sinemet. // i make mucunna fudgge annd some peeople get a little buzz/boost if they pig out on it. my son tried a few capsuless of mp and it gave him a bit of a lift..but he didn't ask for more, so i don't think it was that good! ib

Thank you all. I think you have given me enough info to make it worth a try. If you would like I can come back and let you all know how it goes. I really appreciate your help and if anyone else would like to post, I would still like more advice. Thanks again.