L carnitine?

[erash]

Is anyone taking L carnitine?

I've been contemplating it for lean muscle mass loss associated with my Tegretol as well as due to MS.

I've read that it can interfere with thyroid supplements and cause seizures. So I'm concerned...

[Fancy1959]

Erash, it's Fancy1959. Once again I wish I I wis help you with information on the L carnitine but I have had no experience using it. I too have lost lean muscle mass but have replaced it with fatty muscle mass! Yuck,,, definitely not the direction I wanted to go!😥😕

[erash in reply to Fancy1959]

Me too Fancy1959 muscle is now soft and squishy 🙁

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

No clue either erash but with side effects like that? Something to be careful of!🌠 Good luck! Oh yeah and l have never heard of it😁

J 🌠

[BillD999]

erash, I did take L-carnitine for a while, I'm not sure how long, and I didn't notice any ill effects or benefit so I moved on to something else (experimenting with supplements is my hobby). I may try it again since, like you, i am looking to maintain & increase muscle mass. I'll let you know.

[erash in reply to BillD999]

Thanks! BillD999

An exercise physiologist I know said he hasn't seen any benefits with L carnitine either. Def. let me know if you find the magic potion!

[greaterexp]

erash , I've never heard of it. Something else to look into!

[erash in reply to greaterexp]

greaterexp

It's an amino acid required for energy production and muscle growth. It has a number of different medical uses (heart and kidney failure) and has been used in MS.

We produce it naturally but a number of condition can cause deficits and loss of muscle. Years ago we supplemented the premie babies in the NICU with L Carnitine.

Benefits of supplementing are not fully known and there are potential side effects.

[greaterexp in reply to erash]

Yes, I looked it up, but like you, I couldn't find any clear studies about its benefits. I'm not sure if it is worth trying or not, but I suppose that depends on how much muscle loss you're dealing with. Since it is much harder for us to build muscle, it might be worth a trial run. It doesn't look like there is much information about MS and this supplement. I know you'll pass it on if you do find something. Thank you!

[erash in reply to greaterexp]

greaterexp apparently it interferes with thyroid meds (I'm on) and can increase the risk of seizures. I had febrile seizures as an infant related to tonsillitis. At least as far as Ampyra is concerned, they say I'm at greater seizure risk???

[greaterexp in reply to erash]

@erash, with a history of seizures, I think I'd pass on trying it, myself.

[Miriade]

Hi Erash, I do not take LCarnitine just because it is more expensive than other aminoacids I regular use. L Carnitine works to improve energy level inside cells, but what I have been using for years to improve lean muscles and less fat muscle is Creatine everyday. This is very popular with the guys at gym who wants to build more muscle mass and for the elderly gives more muscle energy. I read articles years ago and I have been taking creatine for over 6 years or more and I think shows good results in less fat muscles, more muscle energy and i so not have any side effect. Just have to be taking early morning before breakfast. I am not doing any gym but I am not down either.

[erash in reply to Miriade]

Thanks! Miriade

I will look further at creatine.