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The medical term "serotonin syndrome" seems to be used too loosely and in appropriately, especially on the internet. Make no mistake "serotonin syndrome" is a true life threatening emergency that warrants immediate hospitalization with aggressive life saving intervention. SYMPTOMS
Diagnosis of serotonin syndrome depends on three physical findings being present at the same time on the medical examination, All three of following categories must be present to make the diagnosis to include, "mental status changes", "autonomic instability", and "neuromuscular aberrations".
- The first of the three medical findings that need to be present are mental status changes. Examples include agitation, hallucinations, and coma.
-
The second of the three medical finding that need to be present is autonomic instability. Examples include tachycardia, labile blood pressure, and hyperthermia. It is noted that most patients have core temperature of 108 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
-
The third of the three medical findings that need to be present is neuromuscular aberrations. Examples include hyperreflexia, incoordination and/or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
CAUSE
The primary cause of serotonin syndrome is administration of a neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor with a drug that blocks neurotransmitter metabolism (primarily MAO inhibitors).
There has been no reports in medical literature of it developing during the ingestion of nutrients with drugs.
WHAT
DOES
IS NOT
THE CAUSE
There
is
no
reports
in
the
medical
literature
of
nutrients
5-HTP,
tyrosine,
levodopa,
or
cysteine
when
taken
with
or
without
drugs
causing
serotonin
syndrome.
Contrary
to
the
urban
legends
posted
on
the
internet
use
of
5-HTP,
tyrosine,
levodopa,
and
cysteine
alone
or
in
combination
with
any
drug,
including
MAO
inhibitors,
does
not
cause
serotonin
syndrome.
End
of
discussion.
..AND
TO
THE
RIDICULOUS
About
two
years
ago
there
was
a
report
from
a
doctor
whose
patient
had
gone
to a
pharmacist
and
was
not
feeling
well
that
day.
The
pharmacist
told
the
patient
she
had
serotonin
syndrome
and
would
probably
feel
better
in a
day
or
so.
The
patient
went
home
and
felt
better
in a
day
or
two.
This
in
no
way
was
serotonin
syndrome.
If
it
was
that
pharmacist
was
negligent
for
not
arranging
to
get
that
patient
immediately
hospitalized
and
treated
for
a
true
life
threatening
medical
emergency.
The
term
"serotonin
syndrome"
is
indeed
used
too
loosely
by
many
who
do
not
have
clue
what
it
really
is
and
how
quickly
it
can
kill
people
if
not
managed
properly.
Virtually
all
patients
with
serotonin
syndrome
have
a
core
temperature
of
greater
than
108
degrees
Fahrenheit.
Marty
L.
Hinz,
MD |
