Homovanillic (HVA)

HVA (homovanillic acid), a dopamine metabolite, is often elevated due to stress increasing catecholamine output from the adrenal gland, or from lead toxicity. Elevated HVA may also result from the intake of L DOPA, dopamine, phenylalanine, or tyrosine, or due to Clostridia metabolites.

When these compounds are low, it indicates your body is not making enough of these neurotransmitters. Low Homovanillate indicates low levels of dopamine. Symptoms associated with this condition are depression, sleep disturbances, inability to deal with stress, and fatigue.

Possible causes:

- Low precursors/neurotransmitters (phenylalanine, dopamine, noradrenalin)

- Low cofactors (B2, B3, B6, Mg or Fe)

- Impaired methylation

Additional investigations:

- Vitamins & Minerals Analysis

Treatment considerations:

Treatments to improve digestion, along with supplementation of tyrosine or phenylalanine, can help improve the ability to keep up with demand for these neurotransmitters.

- L-tyrosine & B6

- B2, B3 or Fe if low

- Support methylation (methionine/SAMe, B6, B12, folate, Mg)

Homovanillate (aka Homovanillic Acid) is a dopamine metabolite.

Homovanillate and Vanilmandelate are breakdown products from neurotransmitters involved in hormone and nerve impulse transmission, called catecholamines.