Unfortunately there is no test for serotonin levels in the brain --- what you want to be concerned about is "serotonin syndrome," which can be life threatening. Do a Google search on "serotonin syndrome" and you will find more information than you want. It is caused by an excess of serotonin at central synapses, and certain antidepressants (SSRIs, SSNIs,) lithium, L-tryptophan, and even erythromycin (because of its effect on certain liver isoenzymes) can all add up to cause serotonin syndrome. It spooks me, but there's no test for it -- even once you have it. There are probably cases of serotonin syndrome that go unnoticed.
Regarding L-tryptophan, it can be a terrific supplement for inducing sleep. I have horrendous sleep problems, and now take 3 grams of Source Naturals L-trytophan. Source Naturals typically produce a superior product, and this is true for their L-tryptophan. It's expensive, but you can cut the cost by half by ordering it through their mailorder house. I also take it with melatonin 30 mg -- again, an excessive dosage. But nothing bad has happened to me, and I need virtually an elephant gun to take me down at night. Again, I use the Source Naturals 5 mg product, which I believe is superior to other forms of this supplement I have tried.
Even at these high doses I will wake up about 6 hours later. I then taken an additional 2 grams of L-tryptophan, and 4 grams of melatonin. I forgot to say that when I initially go to bed, I also take 600 mg tegretol (for migraines) and 45 mg mirtazepine - an antidepressant prescribed for me by a sleep medicine doc for sleep.
Since my sleep is so disturbed, I have found it so helpful to consult a sleep medicine specialist. I have had multiple sleep studies, which fit the pattern of distrubance described for CFS patients. I am also prescribed by an anesthesiologist Fentanyl pathches 125 migroams every 48 hours, which has been enormously helpful in dealing with the 24/7 migraines -- however, you can't take LDN if you decide to take Fentanyl, and it does have an effect of suppressing your immune system. However, I have been in such severe pain, it is difficult to imagine living without it. I did try Lyrica recently, but it made me quite ill.
One interesting take on suppressing endogenous herpes viruses is LITHIUM. There are publications about the use of lithium, most in the older literature - but you would have to have your kidnes function monitored at least once a month. It also is in the pile of drugs that would help induce a serotonin syndrome. Again, there's no line in the sand - just something to keep in mind. I don't believe anyone has tried lithium for suppressing these endogenous viruses, but theoretically, I find it interesting.
). I responded terribly or strangely to regular antidepressants too, so I figure there's got to be something up with my serotonin processing or something. Like everything, I think it's all a bit of trial and error to see what works with your chemistry. My husband's using 5-htp for his sleep, and it's been FANTASTIC for him. He doesn't have ME, though. Low serotonin seems to have been his sleep issue in the first place.
