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Symptom guide

Depression & mood swings

Depression and mood swings are common mental health conditions affecting millions worldwide. They can have profound impacts on quality of life and overall wellbeing. Functional medicine, with its holistic, patient-centered approach, offers unique insights into the symptoms, causes, and treatment of these disorders. This approach focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease, viewing the body as an interconnected whole, and promoting overall health and resilience.

Depression & mood swings

Symptoms

  • Depression manifests in a variety of symptoms, including persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and disinterest in previously enjoyable activities. Other symptoms may include fatigue, difficulty focusing, changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
  • Mood swings, on the other hand, refer to rapid and extreme changes in mood. Symptoms might include sudden shifts from feelings of happiness to feelings of sadness, irritability, or anger, often without an identifiable cause

Causes

  • Nutrient Deficiencies: Certain nutrients play key roles in brain health and mood regulation, including B-vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and vitamin D. Deficiencies in these nutrients can contribute to mood disorders
  • Hormonal Imbalances: Hormones like cortisol, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones influence mood and mental health. Disruptions in these hormones can lead to mood swings and depression
  • Chronic Inflammation: Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to mental health disorders. Chronic inflammation can affect brain function and mood
  • Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis: The gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in mental health. Imbalances in the gut microbiome can impact neurotransmitter function and lead to mood disorders

Treatments

  • Nutrient Supplementation: Based on individual assessments, supplementation with vital nutrients like B-vitamins, Omega-3s, magnesium, and vitamin D may be recommended
  • Hormone Balancing: Hormonal imbalances may be addressed through lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, or, in some cases, bioidentical hormone therapy
  • Anti-Inflammatory Interventions: This might include dietary changes (like adopting an anti-inflammatory diet), stress management techniques, and regular physical activity
  • Gut Health Optimization: Probiotic supplementation, prebiotic foods, and dietary changes can help restore a healthy gut microbiome, thereby supporting mental health
  • Psychotherapy and Mind-Body Practices: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, yoga, and meditation can help individuals manage stress, improve mood, and support overall mental health

Our top pick for Depression & mood swings

Curated tests that cover the relevant biomarkers.

Neurotransmitters Test XLLab Test

Neurotransmitters Test XL

GetTested’s Neurotransmitters XL Test is an advanced at-home urine lab test designed to provide a comprehensive overview of your neurotransmitters and related biochemical pathways. The test analyzes key neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and adrenaline, along with additional markers like GABA and glutamate, which play a central role in mood, stress response, sleep, and cognitive function. Beyond neurotransmitters, the test also evaluates the kynurenine pathway, methylation capacity, mitochondrial function, and inflammation markers, offering deeper insight into how your body manages stress, energy production, and immune activation. The result is a detailed report that helps you better understand the connection between your mental and physical health. Please note that this test is advanced and primarily intended for interpretation by clinicians or therapists, and the report is provided in English.

€449.99
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Neurotransmitters Test PlusLab Test

Neurotransmitters Test Plus

GetTested’s Neurotransmitters Plus Test is an advanced at-home lab test that measures key neurotransmitters involved in mood, stress response, sleep, and cognitive function. The test includes serotonin, dopamine, GABA, glutamate, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, providing a comprehensive overview of your neurochemical balance. These markers play a crucial role in regulating emotions, behavior, and mental performance, and imbalances may be linked to symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and low mood.

€249.99
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Neurotransmitters Test BasicLab Test

Neurotransmitters Test Basic

GetTested’s Neurotransmitters Base Test is an at-home lab test that measures key neurotransmitters involved in mood, stress response, and cognitive function. The test analyzes serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, along with creatinine and the noradrenaline/adrenaline ratio, providing insight into your body’s neurochemical balance. These markers play an important role in regulating emotions, behavior, sleep, and stress levels, and imbalances may be linked to symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, or low mood.

€159.99
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Serotonin TestLab Test

Serotonin Test

GetTested’s Serotonin Test is an at home urine test for people who want insight into serotonin levels and how they may relate to mood, sleep, digestion, focus, motivation and emotional balance. Serotonin is often linked to mood, but it also plays an important role in the gut and nervous system. If you struggle with low mood, poor sleep, anxiety like feelings, digestive discomfort, fatigue, low motivation or emotional ups and downs, this test can help you better understand one important signaling pathway that may be part of the picture. By measuring serotonin, the test provides a focused insight into one pathway that may be relevant when mood, sleep and gut related symptoms overlap.

€59.99
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DNA Brain Health TestLab Test

DNA Brain Health Test

GetTested’s DNA Brain Health Test is an at home DNA test for people who want to understand how their genetics may influence stress response, mood, focus, memory, cognitive performance and overall mental wellbeing. If you often wonder why you react strongly to stress, struggle with focus, feel mentally drained, experience mood related patterns or want to better understand your brain health from a genetic perspective, this test can provide valuable insight into biological pathways that may shape how your brain functions over time. The test analyzes 256 genes linked to brain health and provides personalized recommendations based on your genetic profile.

€179.99
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When to see a doctor

At-home testing is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. If symptoms are severe, sudden, or worsening, contact a healthcare provider.

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At-home collection

Simple kits with step-by-step instructions.

Discreet shipping

Generic packaging, tracked end-to-end.

Clinician-reviewed

Reports reviewed by qualified clinicians.

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Secure data handling, CLIA-certified labs.

Retest promise

Sample issue? We make it right.

Accredited labs

Processed in ISO 15189 / 17025 facilities.

Validated assays

Performance-tested against clinical references.

500,000+ customers

Trusted across the EU, UK and US.

At-home collection

Simple kits with step-by-step instructions.

Discreet shipping

Generic packaging, tracked end-to-end.

Clinician-reviewed

Reports reviewed by qualified clinicians.

CLIA-certified & secure

Secure data handling, CLIA-certified labs.

Retest promise

Sample issue? We make it right.

Frequently asked questions

Ready when you are

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