I agree with you on the GNC thing, too. I will ask my daughter if she could get the benfotiamine for me, as she is always ordering stuff online anyway. I just don't know what the proper dosage for a Cipro floxed person is to take. Would it be similar to 150mg?

Also, when I get supplements, I like to get it "as is" - meaning without other supplements added on to it the way slowmag does it.

Here's something interesting about my experience with Acetyl L Carnitine that might sound funny. I have a small bald spot on the back of my head, but since I have been taking the Acetyl L Carnitine, I have noticed that I'm growing some hair back there -thin and slow, but definitely growing in more. I don't know if that's my imagination or some kind of unexpected, but welcomed side effect. LOL

Since you have been on thiamine a while now, you can start
the benfotiamine at 150mg a day. This type of B1 stays in the body longer and is not excreted so quickly in the urine. So you may not need more than one a day.

If you Google "carnitine for hair loss" you'll find some sites that
recommend it for that.

Carnitine is also used for improving sperm count...and some
fertility treatments use it for that. (The drug Depakote used for epilepsy, results in low carnitine and those males who use it may
benefit from carnitine supplements to improve sperm counts therefore as well).

MRSD: I need your advice on something. 2 questions really.

Well, first off - my earlier concerns about the pricing of Acetly L Carnitine have come true - GNC has upped it from $21 dollars to $35 dollars in just this last month. (this for 60 pills of 300mg) The clerk there, said something about it's popularity among athletes that pumped up its price...bad for me -as I feel I need this for my health and now it went up in price dramatically.

Anyway: I finally read all the articles you linked and felt that, not only does the AC L carnitine help me with PN but with other disorders I have struggled with (OCD, depression, PN pains - big reduction there, and even some hair loss).

Though in 1 article (the latest) it says that it might be "dangerous" for people with low thyroid levels or Hypothyroidism.

Here are my 2 questions: Do you think a person, like me, with normal thyroid function can get Hypothyroidism from taking A L Carnitine?

And here is my 2nd question, which is much more important.

MY daughter-in law really wants to take A L Carnitine. (In fact, she has found the brand "Doctors Best" on the net and intends to order this for us both -it is only about 17 dollars, compared to the 35 dollars at GNC.) But she has some thyroid problems. From her tests, the problem was not hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, but simply a "Possible detection of cancer cells in the thyroid". Later test show this diagnosis seems to have disappeared.

She also suffered from postpartum depression and is over-weight for her age and size. ( She's only 26 years old.) She takes a weight loss product called "Hydoxycut", too - which I warn against. I could be wrong, but I feel products like Hydroxycut might actually be a culprit in unbalancing her thyroid issues, but what do I know???

The idea for her, it to replace the Hydroxycut with A L carnitine for weight loss, fatigue and weakness, and more so, for her mental mood and to "Balance" her thyroid issues, whatever they may be. I asked her strenuously if she has HYPOthyroidism and she says her tests show that she does not.

I told her I would ask you about all this, as you seem far more knowledgeable in such things, than the doctors I've asked - whom, surprinlgy to me; seem genuinely stumped on ANY supplement issues.

Can you please give me/us some advice on this. We both would really like to know what you think about this, as your advice and links are always so sound and logical. Thanks for your time and consideration.

I can't respond at length today, because I have had a small surgery on my foot, and can't sit for long without elevating my foot.

ALCAR is not for weight loss IMO. It's use for PNers is to help with mitochondrial energy production that has been damaged by drugs and toxins (and age).

Your daughter should consult with her doctor about it if she is worried about take the carnitine.

For you --the dose you use is very small... I gave you links with
bibliography earlier in this thread.

I understand, and thanks.

I'm just paranoid is all, I had a bit of a sore throat, then thought; oh no - my thyroid! -- for a second. LOL I will keep taking my ALCAR since I feel it has really helped me and I need it for so much else, too.

My daughter-in-law is not worried at all about ALCAR, she wants to take it soon. What I'm really worried about is her taking the weight loss product "Hydroxy Cut" ( I never trusted such gimmick weight loss products) and then possibly taking ALCAR at the same time or right after it. She intends to replace Hydroxy Cut with the A L-Carnitine, but I don't know if this is healthy - or if the Hydroxy Cut stuff will interfere with it. Basically, she wants to take ALCAR because she thinks it will balance her thyroid issues as well as help her lose weight in a natural way. I don't know if that is the right course for her though.

I hope your foot heals well soon, too.

She may be disappointed in the ALCAR... but it is her decision after all.

My toe is progressing... it was not a pleasant thing, and it still is sensitive to touch. So I can only wear open slide shoes. But only the first 2 days did it hurt. I am keeping it elevated, as per the instructions from the doctor. It doesn't throb much at all when elevated.

The special dressings are getting to be a pain in the neck though. Hubby is helping me out alot...and I am grateful for that. I go back on Weds.

Mrs.D, is this the same foot that you have problems in the in-step when wearing shoes? I really hope you are getting better...

Yep, my left foot! Has all the mechanical problems practically that have a name! This particular issue is part of a treatment years ago by a poor podiatrist.

Keeping it elevated as much as possible has helped with the swelling too. I guess I'll be watching more TV with that foot up from now on.

I discussed the circulation issue with the doctor last Weds when I went for a followup check on the exposed toe bed. He believes that the surgery I had on the instep impairs the lymph return in the ankle. He said if it continues or gets worse in any way he will do an MRI on it to see if the hemangioma is growing back under the skin. This has been my main worry lately... I am a bit paranoid about it.

Mrs.D, when we have medical issues, we become acutely conscious of new signs and symptoms that prop up on a daily basis. You are right, my consciousness is bordering to paranoia.

I hope your foot gets better.

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Yesterday, I started taking a GNC brand mix of A L-carnitine 500 mg, combined with 200 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid. Oddly, this mix was 15 dollars cheaper than just the Acetyl L carnitine alone, despite having the same exact type of A L carnitine in it as well as the same mg.

Does anyone else here take this A L-Carnitine/Alpha Lipoic Acid combo? and how has it worked for you?

Anyway, I already take 600 mg (300 mg twice a day) so I was wondering by taking 200 mg more of Alpha Lipoic Acid (it comes along with the new A L-Carnitine combo) - Am I taking too much Alpha Lipoc Acid now???

What's the daily recommended mg intake of Alpha Lipoic Acid per day for PN suferers???:confused: