Taking GABA and L-theanine may impact neurotransmitter test results. The decision about whether or not to discontinue medications prior to testing is up to the discretion of the ordering provider. Some ordering providers may recommend patients discontinue medications before testing to assess "baseline" (normal) Neurotransmitter levels. Other ordering providers may prefer to testing while the patient is taking medications to assess how the medications are impacting Neurotransmitter levels. If a patient is taking GABA or L-theanine supplementation at the time of collection, Vibrant's Neurotransmitters test can be interpreted in the context of GABA and L-theanine supplementation.
There is no known interference of GABA and L-theanine with the Neurotransmitters test performance, accuracy, or validity. Please note that there is a difference between test interference by medications and pharmacological effects of medications. For an explanation of these differences, please see below.
Test Interference Studies in Laboratory Medicine
Test interference occurs when an agent impacts (interferes with) the measured results. An interference study prepares two pairs of test samples, adds an interfering agent to one sample and water to the other, and then measures the analytes in both samples and calculates the difference. Interference occurs when as agent causes a difference in the two samples. True drug-lab test interactions (DLTI) are the result of a drug altering the test specimen, or direct interference from the drug itself reacting with the test reagents. Not every medication, nor every class of medication, has been tested in interference studies. For more information on drug-lab test interactions, see https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/914303?reg=1#vp_1
Pharmacological Effects of Medications: Impact on Lab Results
The pharmacologic effects of drugs can change the results of lab tests; for example, levothyroxine increases thyroid levels, or lisinopril may increase potassium levels. But these changes do not involve interference with the lab test; that is, the result is accurate.
