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Suggest Treatment For Severe Anxiety And Depression

Posted on Wed, 1 Mar 2017

Question: hello please help me

i started taking 5 htp for anxiety and mild depression due to its ability to increase seratonin levels and mood boosting capabilities. it did help somewhat although i started getting ringing in my ears and it didnt help with my sleep. i would like to start taking melatonin to help my sleep. does melatonin have any affect on seratonin levels and will it affect my tinnitus?

thank you XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
no effect on tinnitus

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

melatonin won't lower your serotonin levels (if that's what you're worried about) but it may cause transient short-lived worsening of depression. And it's not supposed to cause tinnintus. Melatonin is considered safe but its effects are mild.

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (7 minutes later)

thank you. could it be after taking 5htp the increased levels of seratonin caused my tinnitus? and will taking melatonin cause an increase in my seratonin levels??? thanks again. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I don't believe it's the 5htp

Detailed Answer:
Tinnitus is a very common symptom. In most cases no cause can be identified. You should consult an ENT doctor for assessment.

I'm not aware of any relation between melatonin administration and serotonin levels. Serotonin is the precursor of melatonin but I don't know any positive or negative feedback mechanism with external melatonin.

Kind Regards!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar