10 Little-Known Facts About Your "Happiness Hormone" That Could Change Everything

2. Symptoms Of A Serotonin Deficiency

An individual needs to have a healthy amount of serotonin in their blood. This should be between 101 and 283 nanograms per milliliter. Serotonin levels that are too high are often a symptom of a condition known as carcinoid syndrome. In contrast, lower than normal levels are referred to as a serotonin deficiency. A deficiency causes several physical symptoms, including insomnia, carbohydrate cravings, fatigue, nausea, and weight gain. Other symptoms of a deficiency are anxiety, aggression, irritability, poor appetite, depressed mood, impulsive behavior, low self-esteem, and poor memory. The exact causes of a deficiency and its pattern among the population are not understood. However, several factors are thought to influence it. An individual with fewer serotonin receptors, defective serotonin receptors, overabsorption of serotonin, and L-tryptophan deficiency are at risk of a deficiency in serotonin. Other risk groups include patients with deficiencies in vitamin B6, omega-3 fatty acids, or vitamin D.