5HTP

[debbies147]

Does anyone take 5htp supplements to help with sleep and if so what doseage?

[humanbean]

I take 50mg near bedtime. I use it more as an anti-depressant than a sleep aid, but it does improve sleep a little bit too. I've been taking it for years and I think the sleep effect has mostly warn off for me.

[debbies147 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you

[debbies147 in reply to debbies147]

What brand do you take

[humanbean in reply to debbies147]

I buy 5-HTP from Holland & Barrett. They worked from the beginning for me so I've never bothered trying a new supplier, even though generally I don't buy from H&B these days.

5-HTP is currently on sale on their website. It isn't worth buying unless it is heavily discounted, in my opinion.

[humanbean in reply to debbies147]

I should have mentioned... My dose is low compared to average. Some people take an awful lot more. In fact many manufacturers don't produce a tablet or capsule lower than 100mg.

[debbies147 in reply to humanbean]

Ok and what brand do you take as there's so many

[CarolineC57]

Yes, I had severe insomnia and I started taking it quite a few years ago - 100mg at night. It helped with the insomnia, but not 100%. Since I've been taking T3 though I've been able to knock the 5-HTP down to 50mg at night as I'm sleeping much better now. I think if you're hypo then the key to beating insomnia is probably to get the correct amount/kind of thyroid hormone treatment for you. But 5-HTP certainly helps, in my experience.

[debbies147 in reply to CarolineC57]

Can't get T3 so after going to the thyroid UK conference today and hearing about 5htp I thought I would give them a go as I hardly sleep . Just didn't know what dose or brand to go for

[CarolineC57 in reply to debbies147]

The ones I take are the Higher Nature brand. I get them on a website called Bodykind. Hope this helps.

Can I ask, why can't you get T3? I buy mine online - can't get them on the NHS so I'm self-treating. Of course, T3 may not be what you need - you'd have to check that first to see if they were right for you and at what dose.

[Venicefan in reply to debbies147]

Don't forget Alyssa also mentioned melatonin to help with sleep. I bought some from Amazon and they're really good. The ones I've got are natural melatonin and they're a 4.5 mg dose. The brand is Melatonina.

[debbies147 in reply to Venicefan]

That's true , there sure was a lot to think about but this interested me the most as I hardly sleep

[Lovey123 in reply to debbies147]

Also, GABA is a supplement that calms you. A lot of people are deficient. I've been using while going on naturethroid from levo(which made me in pain)

[debbies147 in reply to Lovey123]

Didn't know that , thank you

[cwill]

I use it. I listened to Trudy Scott on a summit and tried the pixie dust test for GABA and 5-HTP: break open a capsule and try a small sprinkle under the tongue. Within a minute you will know if it is for you. I am still on the pixie dust dose at bedtime and if I am having a bit of a day. I also find it helpful to use overnight if I am woken by neighbours etc. For this technique get the best quality and the least additives. Capsules always have fewer additive than tablets.

I have also used melatonin at various doses long term with no ill effects. Both of these supplements had way fewer issues than the prescription medication that I had as a cocktail to make sleep 'easier'. The side effects and withdrawl symptoms were bad.

[debbies147 in reply to cwill]

Thank you I will give them a go as sleep is dreadful and have bad reactions to sleeping tablets

[cwill in reply to debbies147]

Have you tried melatonin? I used 3mg slow release and also larger doses. Nytol can be helpful too or other herbal preparations. Plus aromatherapy. Dr Myhill has a good list of these type of supplements on her website as she wants everyone to try to sort out sleep as first priority. Not easy at present with cold nights, then rather warm summery ones.

[Howard39 in reply to cwill]

Hi

Melatonin is far better ( for me) and I agree Dr Myhill is great on most things including sleep disruptions- so well worth a read of her online info.

If you choose this route it's slow and steady - building up the dose. And she insists your asleep ( well try) by 10. Your natural melatonin is only produced from 10pm for 2 hours.

Good luck

[debbies147 in reply to Howard39]

Wow didn't know that . Thanks will take a look

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

It didn't help me. I took it under the direction of a practioner, in increasing doses up to 2 morning plus 3 at night, eventually 2 morning, 2 lunchtime, 2 night. Mine were Cytoplan 5htp plus 50mg. I gave up eventually and started melatonin.

[humanbean in reply to SeasideSusie]

I think that happens to a few people. My husband saw how much better I felt when I started the 5-HTP and he tried it himself. He said it made no difference to him at all.

It would be nice to know why it is life-changing for some and a damp squib for others, but I doubt I'll ever find out.

[annabhaird]

Hi debbies147, I used to have great difficulty falling asleep, tried lots of remedies with little success. Finally found combination that works for me.

about 1 hour before bed i take 3mg of Melatonin slow release, brand name Natrol. I also take Magnesium Citrate 1 capsule 135mg, brand name Thorne. Available from i herb USA. This helps with muscle relaxation. Anna

[marigold22]

I have been using 5HTP for about 6 months now. Swear by it. But I can't take it near bedtime like others here. For me it acts as a great anti depressant, and seems to make my brain work better, makes me happier. I have guessed it's to do with serotonine/dopamine? i use :

naturesbest.co.uk/5-htp-tab...

[marigold22 in reply to marigold22]

I use magnesium for sleep time

[Greengrass21]

Yes and it does, I get mine from natures best online, I get all my supplements from them. It does say not to use them for longer than 3 months, stop them and restart if needed. I take the odd one if I'm going through a can't get off to sleep phase or in the morning for a bit of extra zing, I've recommended them to some friends who have fibromyalgia and they say they help.

[debbies147 in reply to Greengrass21]

Thank you all very helpful, my sleep is so bad and doctors have me sleeping tablets before but they make me so ill

[Simba1992]

Some tips for sleeping😊

functionalps.com/blog/2012/...

[debbies147 in reply to Simba1992]

Thank you