I have spent some time searching for a “definitive” answer to something that intrigues me rather than causes me any upset or distress. In July 2018, I bought a 250 gram packet of thiamine HCL powder from a reputable supplier in the UK. [I’m withholding the supplier’s name because I’m not sure if being specific contravenes rules about advertising on HU forums). I could have bought a much smaller packet, but I thought, providing I took the trouble to store said powder in airtight containers, it should be perfectly usable in weeks to come. I had been warned by those with greater experience of these things, to keep the powder away from undue exposure to light.
A few weeks after starting the high dose thiamine protocol, I noticed that the thiamine was becoming significantly harder to scoop up with a spoon. A bit of scraping was required, but that was easy and no big deal. But then I wondered if this powder was as potent as it was when purchased (about 5 weeks previously). It had a best before date of April 2021! I thought that the unusually high temperatures we had been experiencing here in the UK over the summer might have had some bearing on this. I continued to persist with this batch of thiamine even though the powder was becoming like rock in some parts of the container in use.
I even included a “thiamine query” in two of my regular emails to Dr C. He must have been too busy to notice this or perhaps he thought that this was not a clinical question. He has since addressed my point which I again raised much later in the year and I am most grateful for his advice. See later.
In the meantime, I decided that I would buy another similar sized batch from the same suppliers since it didn’t cost a fortune and the hot summer days were behind us. I had planned not to open the second purchase until I was ready to use the new batch. To cut a long story short, I did use the new batch before the original had been used up because the first batch was fast becoming like rock in places! I even bought some new Oxo (sealed) containers in which we have successfully stored quantities of sugar and salt kept in our kitchen. Both the sugar and salt remains “loose” and easy to handle. That is to say, these compounds have retained their integrity when stored in these Oxo containers. We thought "Why not use similar small containers for thiamine HCL Powder?". We did and after three weeks, there are disturbing signs of the hardness appearing in the containers. These sealed containers are stored in dark cardboard “archive” boxes which are kept in a bedroom which has not been subjected to extremes of temperature or to any dampness. We have had a mild temperate autumn (so far) in the UK.
I mentioned all the above points since I anticipated a volley of questions and points from other members of our group were I to write just a short summary of our experience with thiamine HCL. I believe someone out there must have a useful suggestion or two about how to store this powder so that it does not degrade. As I alluded to earlier, I do not mind hacking away at the rock-like substance providing someone with suitable qualifications in this field can assure me that the hardened thiamine will not have lost any potency. It has not discoloured in any way.
I return to Dr C’s advice which I have acted upon and for which I am grateful. Granted, he has not had the opportunity of seeing or sampling our thiamine supply and so his advice is understandably cautious. In effect, he says that where there is an element of doubt about the thiamine powder’s integrity, it is best to purchase some thiamine tablets and proceed with the protocol accordingly. I bought the Solgar 500 mg variety which I elect to chew rather than swallow and this works fine. I appreciate that those of us who are battling or struggling to live with PD symptoms have more important things to deal with than hardened thiamine powder. I am still searching for the optimal dose of thiamine and Dr C has been extremely helpful in this regard. With that in mind, I do not want to elevate my query into anything approaching a “controversy”. However, I remain puzzled by this experience!
One of the reasons I am submitting this post is that I am anxious to spare other users the same “rocky” experience that I have had with thiamine powder.
In summary then:
1. What causes thiamine powder to become hard?
2. If thiamine powder does become hard (for whatever reason), has this vitamin lost its potency?
Any constructive thoughts would be welcome. Thanks for your time.