What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing mood swings, sleep problems, or unexplained changes in appetite. Tryptophan is an amino acid your body needs to make serotonin, a chemical that affects mood, sleep, and digestion. If you're feeling low, anxious, or you're not sleeping well, checking your tryptophan level can help you understand if a nutrient shortfall is part of the picture.

What's included in this test?

This test measures your blood tryptophan level, an amino acid your body can't make on its own and must get from food. Checking it matters because tryptophan is the building block for serotonin and melatonin, chemicals that influence your mood, sleep quality, and overall sense of wellbeing.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account along with the normal range so you can see exactly where your tryptophan level falls. If your level is low, simple next steps include adding more protein-rich foods to your diet or retesting in a few months to track progress. A standard lab report is available to download from your account at any time, and you can use the trends feature to watch how your levels change over time.

How can I naturally support healthy tryptophan levels?

Eating more tryptophan-rich foods like turkey, eggs, cheese, nuts, and seeds is one of the easiest ways to support your levels. Pairing these foods with carbohydrates can help your body absorb tryptophan more effectively. Getting regular sunlight, exercise, and consistent sleep also supports the pathway that turns tryptophan into serotonin and melatonin.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your sample being processed at the lab. You'll get a notification as soon as your results are posted to your online account, where you can view them anytime.

Who should consider this test?

This test is a good fit for anyone dealing with persistent low mood, poor sleep, or digestive changes that haven't improved with basic lifestyle adjustments. It's also useful for people following restrictive diets who may not be getting enough protein, since tryptophan comes only from food. If you're curious whether a nutrient gap could be affecting how you feel, this test offers a straightforward way to check.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Common signs include trouble falling or staying asleep, low mood or irritability, increased appetite or carb cravings, and general fatigue. Some people also notice difficulty concentrating or feeling unusually anxious. If these symptoms sound familiar and haven't improved with basic changes, this test can help identify whether tryptophan is part of the issue.

What does a low tryptophan result mean?

A low result means your body may not have enough of this amino acid to produce sufficient serotonin and melatonin. This can show up as low mood, poor sleep, or digestive changes. Increasing protein-rich foods in your diet and retesting in a few months is a reasonable first step.

What does a high tryptophan result mean?

A high result is less common and usually relates to diet, such as high intake of protein supplements or tryptophan-fortified products. It generally isn't a cause for concern on its own, but if you have unusual symptoms alongside a high result, it's worth mentioning when you seek medical care. Adjusting supplement intake and retesting can help confirm whether the level normalizes.

How often should I retest?

If you're making dietary changes to address a low result, retesting every 2-3 months is a reasonable timeframe to see if your level has improved. If your levels are normal and you're feeling well, annual testing alongside other wellness checks is usually enough. The trends feature in your account makes it easy to compare results over time.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Tryptophan Test - Mood, Sleep & Nutrition Check

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

[email protected]