My nutritionist has recommended I take this to help with my fat digestion and absorption but I have just read on WedbMD "There is some concern that acetyl-L-carnitine might interfere with thyroid hormone. Don’t use acetyl-L-carnitine if you have an under-active thyroid"
Should I heed to the warning and avoid?
There doesn't seem to be any mention about not using it if you have an underactive thyroid on this page of WebMD webmd.com/vitamins-and-supp...
In view of what you've found, I think I would ask my nutritionist this question considering they're the one suggesting you take it.
SeasideSusie
I have just mailed her but in the process of looking for a new nutritionist because I don't think she is very good to be honest and she has a terrible attitude
My practioner (not a nutritionist) came out with some rather strange and worrying statements too. It's hard to find someone you can really trust and rely on.
How about a functional medicine doctor?
Smotv80
Used one in the States and he was rubbish. I only go on recommendations normally but can't find anyone 
Member Scazzoh is very pleased with her functional doctor.
she has also recommended some CoQ10 and I am not sure about that either
Co-q 10 is ok, I take 200mg every day. 😊
Smotv80
what is it for, she just said energy levels but I have problems with my mitochondria and could it be for that?
Taken from google -
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a substance similar to a vitamin. It is found in every cell of the body. Your body makes CoQ10, and your cells use it to produce energy your body needs for cell growth and maintenance. It also functions as an antioxidant, which protects the body from damage caused by harmful molecules.
I take it because I have hashi's 😊
Smotv80
What is the best time of day to take it hon?
I take mine after my evening meal 😊
Smotv80
just had my starting dose of 50mg just to see if I am OK on it. What dose do you take?
I take Co-Q10, it's recommended for us Hypos. I take the converted form Ubiquinol. I've seen 200mg recommended, but it is pricey. On 100mg at the moment, trying to work my way up to affording the 200mg strength.
SeaSideSusie
What is the best time of day to take it hon?
I take mine with my evening meal. Q10 (in all it's forms) is fat soluble so should be taken with fats/oils so probably fattiest meal of the day is best.
SeasideSusie
just had my starting dose of 50mg just to see if I am OK on it. How quick can I titrate up on it?
I don't know. I just went straight in at 100mg but I've never had any reactions to anything. Maybe hold at 50mg for two or three weeks, just see how it goes.
Smotv80 SeasideSusie She has recommended this one in lozenge form and says if I start to flush or feel agitated to spit it out. amritanutrition.co.uk/sh-0066
I buy 200mg ones from Lamberts. I've had no problems with them. I was always told the stronger the better with co-q 10 😊
Well, that includes NADH which is Niacin - B3.
Do you have a specific need for separate B3? Do you take a B Complex that will already contain B3?
This is my Ubiquinol bigvits.co.uk/product.php?p... there are, of course, other brands, I like the fact that it doesn't have loads of unnecessary ingredients and it's an easy to swallow softgel.
SeasideSusie
Yes I take this but what she doesn't know is that I empty half out as I had a reaction to a b complex that was too high in something. As she thinks I am on half dose I believe that's why she recommended the COq10 with the NADH. Not sure what to take now metabolics.com/b-complex-po...
Did you react to that brand or a different one?
Was it Jarrows B Right? A few people have said they reacted to that, I don't suggest it any more.
Metabolics is a good brand although amounts in that capsule aren't high in anything. If you're emptying half out you're not getting very much of anything. I take their liquid B Complex.
If she thinks you're on a half dose it doesn't make sense to just suggest extra B3 that's in with the Q10.
SeasideSusie
No it was the Thornes B Complex. Am going to work my way up on the B complex I have to a whole capsule. I have taken that many things with the different protocols, it's difficult to tell what suits and what doesn't.
She doesn't know I empty half the B complex out hon. Am wondering whether to get the Q10?
You could always try a low dose Q10 to see how it goes and work your way up if everything is OK. The brand I use does 50mg and a 30 count tub is £9.45 so more budget friendly as a trial bigvits.co.uk/product.php?p...
It sounds like the Thorne was just too strong. Just goes to show how we all react differently to things.
SeasideSusie
Thanks hon, I just posted asking about dosage for the Q10. I have read so many and don't know what to start at. mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...
She wants me on it for energy production.
Why do you use the Ubiquinol form?
I use the Ubiquinol form because it's already converted, one less job for the body to do!
thanks hon, have ordered some
Cheapest and reasonable quality coQ10 capsules come from Costco (they will deliver, quite a bit cheaper if you buy off the shelf. Its far far cheaper than the high street. They also do ubiquinol. Statins are known to deplete coQ10. I'm 60 - I quickly worked up to 300mg a day, and this improved my energy levels enormously - my chum tried the same dosage and was left feeling 'zipped' like she had od'd on caffeine. Dosage seems to be "what you need and feel better on", I would expect younger people to have little need of this, but some older people would probably do well on it. If you want the really 'cheap' method - it comes from the heart, so if you're ok eating heart, you won't need the supplement (I have access to organic, pastured heart and found that flash frying thin steaks as part of a 'full English' works for me). Yes, yeuch, but really, food is medicine .....
regards, keep well everyone.
Ubiquinol isn't showing on their website but Q10 is, it contains soybean oil and soya lecithin, so as we Hypos are supposed to avoid all forms of soy then no thanks, I'll stick to my good quality one that contains extra virgin olive oil and sunflower lecithin. Cheap is always cheap for a reason.
well, that's the only soy in my diet and their capsules work for me - something I was at pains to point out. Are extremely expensive high street versions free of soy? Its sooooo much more expensive there, especially if you need higher amounts. It would be much easier to get from GP - who are allowed to prescribe, but won't because "its a vitamin and we don't prescribe vitamins". I prefer the heart steaks ...
I source quality supplements online, they don't have to be "extremely expensive" but high street and supermarket own brand tend to be lesser quality. None of my supplements contain soy.
Wow! That's almost £1 a lozenge and only 50mg Q10! And I thought mine were expensive!!!
SeasideSusie
she recomm ended this as an alternative amritanutrition.co.uk/coq10...
That's going from one extreme to the other - from 50mg to 400mg!
SeasideSusie
I raised the question about having it and she said the following "Carnitine is essential for the usage of fats, and as I explained to you this is a really poor part of your cellular respiration process which is currently failing. Clinically, there is no alternative. This is the molecule that is needed for this process and your tests clearly show it is lacking for you. The one I recommend is a high quality version specifically selected for absorption given your compromised gut".
I do have a mitochondrial dysfunction as it was also picked up on my 23andme results some time ago. The report on my latest OATS test says that Vit E, CoQ10 and Biotin are known to benefit mitochondrial dysfunction, so do I really need to add the ACL?
Jefner I really do not know. I am neither medically nor nutritionally trained so I can't advise you.
Your original question was whether you should avoid acetyl-L-carnitine because you'd seen a warning not to use it if you have an underactive thyroid. It would appear that you have mentioned this to her and she's told you why you need it, but did she actually address the question of taking it when you have an underactive thyroid? Is that still a concern for you? If it is then you need an answer.
From what you say she doesn't know about everything you do - eg you said:
"what she doesn't know is that I empty half out as I had a reaction to a b complex that was too high in something. As she thinks I am on half dose I believe that's why she recommended the COq10 with the NADH. Not sure what to take now"
Surely you should be totally transparent with your practioner, you either trust her or you don't. It's for you to decide if you want to go along with her suggestions or whether you want to continue with her. Your case is obviously very complicated and no-one on the forum is qualified (as far as i know) so can't answer questions that should be directed to your practioner.
To add to my problems I am treating gut Candida and gut bacterial overgrowth. The protocol she has given me is far too much stuff for anyone to take which is why I am looking for someone else to help me.
How has she told you to treat it?
I take probiotic drinks, by VSL3, another trusted brand is symprove.
L-glutamine also supports the gut.
Kefir water is full of live healthy bacteria. You can buy kefir grains off amazon or eBay and make your own which is what I do.
Sugar is bad for candida, and dairy is thought to keep bad bacteria alive.
I would try L-Glutamine, a good probiotic drink and eating clean for 2-3 months 😊
L-Glutamine is no good for me as my 23andme report showed I am high in glutamate which converts to glutamine. I have completed two protocols with her but it's still there and also the gut bacteria overgrowth. Can't have Kefir either
Smotv80
she recommended this as an alternative amritanutrition.co.uk/coq10...
Smotv80
I raised the question about having it and she said the following "Carnitine is essential for the usage of fats, and as I explained to you this is a really poor part of your cellular respiration process which is currently failing. Clinically, there is no alternative. This is the molecule that is needed for this process and your tests clearly show it is lacking for you. The one I recommend is a high quality version specifically selected for absorption given your compromised gut".
I do have a mitochondrial dysfunction as it was also picked up on my 23andme results some time ago. The report on my latest OATS test says that Vit E, CoQ10 and Biotin are known to benefit mitochondrial dysfunction, so do I really need to add the ACL?
Dr Myhill's website recommends acetyl L Carnitine for methylation problems. It's also part of a suggested treatment for mitochondrial disease. There's quite a lot of information about it from medical studies and doctors, and of course it's used by athletes and body builders so it easy to get hold of. I actually saw it in Tesco in Towcester last week!
I take it as part of a protocol of supplements for ME. I've never heard of issues with it for the Thyroid (doesn't mean those issues don't exist, only that I've never come across them).
BlueStringPudding
I raised the question about having it and she said the following "Carnitine is essential for the usage of fats, and as I explained to you this is a really poor part of your cellular respiration process which is currently failing. Clinically, there is no alternative. This is the molecule that is needed for this process and your tests clearly show it is lacking for you. The one I recommend is a high quality version specifically selected for absorption given your compromised gut".
I do have a mitochondrial dysfunction as it was also picked up on my 23andme results some time ago. The report on my latest OATS test says that Vit E, CoQ10 and Biotin are known to benefit mitochondrial dysfunction, so do I really need to add the ACL?
@Jefner I've been taking ALCAR (Acytl L CARnatine 500mg) for a few weeks now as after an organic acids test it said I had lots of mitochondrial metabolites and so not getting enough, my functional guy says it also helps activate the immune system in the gut - it certainly did and had all sorts of tingling in my guts and nerves the first few days and lots of gut upset (immune system killing things off he says, may help with your yeast), helped that by taking charcoal after lunch (just weaning off charcoal now) and have had less anxiety. I don't think it has affected my thyroxine much if at all - just as tired as normal, have had to keep that a bit lower than normal the last few months anyway because of excess adrenaline.
I wouldn't worry too much about the methylation tests unless you have homozygous MTHFR or COMT so the enzymes really don't work very well. From what I read they are good to optimise later once the underlying issues are sorted.
When I have had bad anxiety/palps niacin 50mg really helps, once you flush the palps just fade away. Magnesium before bed is also good (I use Swanson magnesium complex 400mg).
I had high cortisol but was feeling OK before I reduced it before xmas, then all my anxiety symptoms started, I was advised to take licorice root in the morning to keep it high while my body adjusts and it did help with the excess adrenaline - coming off that this week and so far so good. Keeping my food intake up has also helped, coconut milk shakes for an extra meal.
Are you still taking the betaine too? that should help keep the yeast down.
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