Low Epinephrine, Low Norepinephrine

[Maya POTSkaya]

What does a 24 hour urine analysis finding of low epinephrine and low norepinephrine (below reportable range) mean?

I have POTS and Hashimoto's (hypothryroidism).

Thanks.

[pat57]

I tried a search and came up empty and I have no experience to draw from on the topic.

Has your Dr. made any comments?

[ajw4790]

Hi,

With a quick search, what I found is below. Make sure to discuss it with your dr. because only they can tell you if it means anything in your particular case.

Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is an excitatory neurotransmitter and hormone essential for lipolysis, which is a process in which the body metabolizes fat. Epinephrine is derived from the amine norepinephrine. As a neurotransmitter, epinephrine regulates attentiveness and mental focus. Epinephrine is synthesized from norepinephrine.As a hormone, epinephrine is secreted along with norepinephrine principally by the medulla of the adrenal gland. Heightened secretion can occur in response to fear or anger and will result in increased heart rate and the hydrolysis of glycogen to glucose. This reaction, referred to as the ?fight or flight? response, prepares the body for strenuous activity. Epinephrine is used medicinally as a stimulant in cardiac arrest, as a vasoconstrictor in shock, as a bronchodilator and antispasmodic in bronchial asthma, and anaphylaxis. Commonly, epinephrine levels will be low due to adrenal fatigue (a pattern in which the adrenal output is suppressed due to chronic stress). Therefore, symptoms can be presented as fatigue with low epinephrine levels. Low levels of epinephrine can also contribute to weight gain and poor concentration. Elevated levels of epinephrine can be factors contributing to restlessness, anxiety, sleep problems, or acute stress.

Norepinephrine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is important for attention and focus. Norepinephrine is synthesized from dopamine by means of the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase, with oxygen, copper, and vitamin C as co-factors. Dopamine is synthesized in the cytoplasm, but norepinephrine is synthesized in the neurotransmitter storage vesicles.; Cells that use norepinephrine for formation of epinephrine use SAMe as a methyl group donor. Levels of epinephrine in the CNS are only about 10% of the levels of norepinephrine.

The noradrenergic system is most active when an individual is awake, which is important for focused attention. Elevated norepinephrine activity seems to be a contributor to anxiousness. Also, brain norepinephrine turnover is increased in conditions of stress. Interestingly, benzodiazepines, the primary anxiolytic drugs, decrease firing of norepinephrine neurons. This may also help explain the reasoning for benzodiazepine use to induce sleep.

Norepinephrine acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter and modulates neuron voltage potentials to favor glutamate activity and neurotransmitter firing.

[MightyMouse]

AJW, just a side note here, it's always a good idea to note where you obtained the info you're posting so that folks can use that reference to do their own further research, as well as to avoid any possible legal issues from borrowing any copyrighted material and posting it...

Nina

[ajw4790]

Hi,

Whoops! I try to remember to go back and copy/paste the link... I guess I got distracted... the dog kept barking at the fireworks last night.

I will have to try and be more careful! Sorry!

The link for the above post: https://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?optio...9&Itemid=48