Norepinephrine Evening

What's

Norepinephrine Evening is a test that measures the amount of norepinephrine, a vital hormone and neurotransmitter, in your body during the evening hours. Norepinephrine is produced by your adrenal glands, which are small glands located on top of your kidneys. This hormone plays a key role in preparing your body for action and response, often referred to as the 'fight or flight' response. It helps to increase your heart rate, release glucose from energy stores, and increase blood flow to your muscles. In the evening, norepinephrine levels naturally decrease as part of your body's internal clock or circadian rhythm, preparing you for rest and sleep. The Norepinephrine Evening test is important because it helps to assess whether your body is following this natural rhythm. By understanding your body's norepinephrine levels in the evening, healthcare professionals can gain valuable insights into your overall health and well-being.

If Your Levels Are High

High levels of norepinephrine in the evening could indicate that your body isn't following its natural rhythm, which could be due to a variety of factors. For instance, it could be a sign of an adrenal gland disorder, such as pheochromocytoma, a rare tumor that can cause the adrenal glands to produce too much norepinephrine. It could also be due to certain medications, like antidepressants or ADHD medications, which can increase norepinephrine levels. High levels could also be linked to stress or anxiety, as your body may produce more norepinephrine in response to these conditions. Lastly, conditions that affect your sleep, like insomnia or sleep apnea, could also disrupt your body's natural norepinephrine rhythm.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of norepinephrine may include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, excessive sweating, headaches, tremors, or anxiety.

If Your Levels are Low

Low levels of norepinephrine in the evening could indicate that your body isn't following its natural rhythm, which could be due to a variety of factors. For instance, certain medications, such as beta-blockers or certain antidepressants, can lower norepinephrine levels. Additionally, conditions like Addison's disease, which affects the adrenal glands, or certain types of autonomic neuropathy, which impacts nerve function, could also result in lower than normal norepinephrine levels. Chronic stress or poor sleep habits might also disrupt your body's production of this hormone. It's important to note that while low levels of norepinephrine can be linked to these conditions or factors, they are not definitive proof of any specific diagnosis.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of norepinephrine could include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, low blood pressure, and a decreased ability to handle stress.

Hey practitioners! 👋 Join Dr. Chris Magryta and Dr. Erik Lundquist for a comprehensive 6-week course on evaluating functional medicine labs from two perspectives: adult and pediatric. In this course, you’ll explore the convergence of lab results across different diseases and age groups, understanding how human lab values vary on a continuum influenced by age, genetics, and time. Register Here! Register here.

See References

Test for

Norepinephrine Evening

Neurotransmitters + UDH III by ZRT Laboratory

Urine

The Neurotransmitters + UDH III profile measures neurotransmitters and the diurnal cortisol, cortisone, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and melatonin patterns. It assesses neurochemical imbalances and common issues such as mood disorders, sleep problems, and ADD/ADHD.

UDH III by ZRT Laboratory

Urine

The Urinary Diurnal Hormones (UDH) III profile measures the diurnal patterns of melatonin, cortisol, cortisone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.

CONTENTS

What is it?

High Levels

Low Levels

Order, track, and receive results from 30+ labs in one place.