Dramatic Results with L- Carnitine. What a surprise?

The results were nothing short of dramatic. As expected, symptoms and blood chemistry results worsened in Group 0, who received thyroid hormone but only placebo in addition. These women displayed the symptoms of mild hyperthyroidism, including muscle weakness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, nervousness, insomnia, and tremors. They also had increased knee reflexes and heart rates, and substantial loss of body weight. Women in Group A experienced similar worsening of symptoms during the two months that they initially took placebo, but those symptoms disappeared after two months on the carnitine supplementation, only to return during their final two months of placebo. Meanwhile, women in Group B, who took carnitine from the start of their thyroid hormone treatment, had no worsening of their symptoms until they stopped receiving carnitine at the end of the first four months.

Dr. Benvenga and colleagues summarized their findings from these studies in the following fashion: “Since hyperthyroidism impoverishes the tissue deposits of carnitine, there is a rationale for using L-carnitine at least in certain clinical settings… and since carnitine has no toxicity, teratogenicity [birth defects], contraindications, and interactions with drugs, carnitine can be of clinical use.”

To date, clinical trials have shown that doses of 2,000-4,000 mg/day of L-carnitine are helpful in individuals who suffer from hyperthyroidism. Future studies may uncover similar benefits of other carnitine formulations such as acetyl-L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine arginate, and propionyl-L-carnitine, along with the doses needed to match the efficacy provided by 2,000-4,000 mg L-carnitine.

Until scientists reveal the most effective dosages of each carnitine formulation, the following chart may provide preliminary guidance for individuals seeking relief from the effects of hyperthyroidism:

L-carnitine:2,000-4,000 mg/day

Acetyl-L-carnitine: 800-2,000 mg/day

Acetyl-L-carnitine arginate: 600-1,000 mg/day

Propionyl-L-carnitine: 600-2,000 mg/day

Reference:Sinclair C, Gilchrist JM, Hennessey JV, Kandula M. Muscle carnitine in hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Muscle Nerve. 2005 Sep;32(3):357-9.

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Strack E, Bloesche H, Bemm H, Rotzsch W. Use of L-carnitine in hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. Dtsch Z Verdau Stoffwechselkr. 1962 Apr;21:253-9.

Willgerodt H, Rotzsch W, Strack E. Effect of carnitine of the accumulation of iodine in the thyroid gland. Dtsch Z Verdau Stoffwechselkr. 1965 Aug;25(3):127-35.

Emmrich R. New methods for the diagnosis and therapy of hyperthyroidism. Munch Med Wochenschr. 1967 Oct 27;109(43):2217-21.

Maebashi M, Kawamura N, Sato M, Imamura A, Yoshinaga K. Urinary excretion of carnitine in patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism: augmentation by thyroid hormone. Metabolism. 1977 Apr;26(4):351-6.

About the author: Svetla Bankova is an author of "Life Manual for Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism"- a book, based not only  on her experience as a former Graves' Disease patient but also her research as a psychologist. This is  only book that explains step by step how and why Graves' Disease/ Hyperthyroidism came to your life, the cause and specific steps for alternative treatment of Graves' disease and Hyperthyroidism. The book provides also specific steps how to treat Hyperthyroidism numerous practical exercises, diet, supplements and alternative approaches.

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