Blood tests to check for hormone and brain chemical levels related to depression?
Hey everyone. Before too long, I am going to get a new psychiatrist and therapist. Anyway, are there any blood tests that can be done to test your levels of hormones and brain chemicals that can affect your depression and anxiety? Also, what about brain scans? I ask because I have been on several medications for several years with only a little improvement. I am on the following medications:
30 mg Lexapro once a day
450 mg Wellbutrin XL once a day
Buspar 10 mg twice a day
Catapres 0.1 mg twice a day
Geodon 20 mg twice a day
So, with that, I ask one more question. If there are these tests available for depression and anxiety, does Medicaid typically cover them? If not, how much do they generally cost?
Re: Blood tests to check for hormone and brain chemical levels related to depression?
You seem to be taking several different meds for anxiety - have you ever tried a benzodiazepine (valium, librium, ativan, xanax, klonopin etc) These can turn off anxiety like a switch
Re: Blood tests to check for hormone and brain chemical levels related to depression?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jonnstar
You seem to be taking several different meds for anxiety - have you ever tried a benzodiazepine (valium, librium, ativan, xanax, klonopin etc) These can turn off anxiety like a switch
No, I have never tried those medicines. However, when I was in the mental hospital, I would sometimes get Ativan to help with anxiety and help me sleep and it seemed to help a lot.
Blood tests to check for hormone and brain chemical levels related to depression? 
