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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MoparFan91 on October 24, 2005, at 0:06:09
I have been weighing 145-150 lbs for years at 5'10". Last year over the fall/winter, Depakote ER caused a steady 20 lbs weight gain. I was 165 lbs early in the year by the time I had started taking Lamictal along with Geodon. I stayed pretty steady weight wise when depakote was discontinued in November.
Geodon was weight neutral whole time I took it w/ Lamictal. I took Geodon until 2nd week of May then it was Lamictal alone.Anyway, I got on a weight loss program starting mid-March. By last week of April, I got to 155 lbs. Then I went on a trip to Disney World for about a week from end of April 'til end of 1st week of may. Due to exotic restaurants, I gained 2 lbs back during the week we were there.
Anyway, after getting back from trip, I decided to start back on my weight loss program. I waited until the last week, towards end, of May, though. I had stopped the Geodon during the 2nd week of that month as well since I didn't need it.
Anyway, almost a week into starting back on the weight loss program, I began to experiment with Chromium Picolinate. Sites and studies said that it was supposed to help regulate blood sugar, and help keep the muscle and burn the fat. I took it 3xday with meals.
Actually, I took the Chromium in a Stack recommended from various sites (now quackery). The sites said it was to help me lose more fat for the amount of weight lost. This Stack (or supplement Combo) included the following:
Chromium Picolinate - 200mcg
Taurine - 2,000mg
Niacin[amide] - 1,000mg
Kelp (for 1,000mcg of Iodine)Functions for each were=Chromium for glucose regulation, Taurine for muscle cell volumizer, Niacin to synergize with Chromium, and Kelp to boost thyroid.
I was taking Taurine already to try to target bipolar symptoms. and. Niacin for anxiety. But the Chromium and Kelp were put in along with those two supplements for the creation of the Stack, for a whole other purpose. So, Taurine and Niacin began to be used for a different purpose altogether.
It said to take the Stack three times a day with meals.
Ok, here's how I reacted to it. Basically, I reacted badly. It took me ~9 weeks to figure out that the Stack (particularly the Chromium component) was causing me to have a lot of bad symptoms.
Here's what was happening:I was getting hypoglycemia and lots of symptoms of very low blood glucose-
Grand fatigue, jumpiness/anxiety, teary, mood swings, dizziness, mental fog, muscle weakness, severe ravenous cave bear hunger, eventually outright ragesAround 3 weeks back into my program, I had lost 11 pounds!!!
Then last month of taking the Stack, it got bad where no matter how much I was eating (even 5,000 Calories a day), I was still have the SEVERE hunger even 30 min. after eating. My blood sugar kept dropping bad with the aforementioned symptoms. As a result, I started to gain weight/fat alarmingly fast!!
When this happened, I researched, and was starting to find that the Stack (Chromium blamingly) was the cause! They got punted. Also, found on a bodybuilding site that Taurine was a thyroid reducer.
After the punt, I was able to continued on my fat loss program. I'm now back to 146 lbs.
I talked to a Health Food store lady about this. She 'sternly' told me that the Chromium was lowering my blood sugar way too much and that, "I didn't need it".
I'm not taking Chromium Picolinate ever again!
Posted by nolvas on October 24, 2005, at 5:45:03
In reply to Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia, posted by MoparFan91 on October 24, 2005, at 0:06:09
Here is a study from 1995 indicating Chromium Picolinate could possibly be a carcinogen. I believe this is the study that led to people advising caution over Chromium Picolinate.
The same researchers followed up the study with this study published in 2002
However I have also found a study published this year that negates the findings of the the previous study.
Here is an article from Feb 1996 mentioning the first study.http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_n221/ai_17911049
Lastly here is more information about toxicity of Chromium Picolinate >
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/index.cfm?objectid=6F5E980E-F1F6-975E-7CA23E823F2CB959
So Chromium Picolinate either is a carcinogen or it isn't, read these studies/articles and make up your own mind :)
Posted by teejay on October 24, 2005, at 7:28:43
In reply to Re: Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia, posted by nolvas on October 24, 2005, at 5:45:03
Rather than go over and over the pros and cons of the picolinate, why cant we as a board find a suitable salt that *IS* safe to take, as chromium is recommended for many with blood sugar problems.
Posted by JLx on October 24, 2005, at 11:43:35
In reply to Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia, posted by MoparFan91 on October 24, 2005, at 0:06:09
So you were getting 600 mcg of chromium picolinate, 6 grams of taurine, 3 grams of niacinamide, and 3,000 mcg of iodine from kelp each day.
The chromium picolinate probably would have lowered your blood sugar, yes, but I doubt if that alone accounted for your symptoms:
>I was getting hypoglycemia and lots of symptoms of very low blood glucose- Grand fatigue, jumpiness/anxiety, teary, mood swings, dizziness, mental fog, muscle weakness, severe ravenous cave bear hunger, eventually outright rages
3,000 mcg of iodine is a lot. It may have revved up your thyroid initially but then lowered it. This could account for the fluctuations in hunger and in some of the other symptoms.
"It is important not to over-consume iodine as it has a relatively narrow range of intakes that reliably support good thyroid function (about 100 to 300 micrograms per day). Someone consuming large amounts of iodised salt or seaweeds could readily overdo it. Excessive iodine has a complex disruptive effect on the thyroid and may cause either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, in susceptible individuals, as well as increasing the risk of thyroid cancer. ... Hyperthyroidism may manifest as an enlarged thyroid (goiter), heart rate irregularities, tremor, sweating, palpitations, nervousness and increased activity and eye abnormalities. Some individuals deliberately take kelp to try to lose weight by over stimulating the thyroid. This is a dangerous practice.
The key to good thyroid function is adequate, but not excessive iodine intake. Intakes in the range 100-300 micrograms per day are desirable, though intakes up to 500 micrograms per day are probably not harmful. ... Consumption of more than 100g/year (by dried weight) of most seaweeds carries a significant risk of thyroid disorder due to iodine intakes in excess of 1000 micrograms per day." http://www.vegansociety.com/html/food/nutrition/iodine.php
Kelp is also high in glutamate which may have accounted for some of those mental symptoms of rage, anxiety, teary, etc. Taurine may counteract the effects of glutamates but I'm not sure exactly how much glutamate is present in that much kelp, perhaps it was too much even for that much taurine.
JL
Posted by MoparFan91 on October 25, 2005, at 0:14:15
In reply to Re: Iodine/Kelp/Glutamates » MoparFan91, posted by JLx on October 24, 2005, at 11:43:35
So, could the Stack (Chromium/Taurine/Niacin/Kelp) have interacted with the Lamictal in anyway as well.
I was on 200mg of Lamictal at the time, the only medication I was taking. Like Taurine, Lamictal reduces Glutamate.
As the Health Food Store ladies were telling me in a stern voice, the Chromium 'did' cause me hypoglycemia by lowering my blood sugar way too much as demonstrated by excess severe hunger. They told me that I probably was taking too much. But. even at 200mcg, I still had problems. I tried it by itself temporarily after I stopped the "Stack".
I used the GTF-form Chromium caps. same hypoglycemic reaction. I brought them back for refund. So, Chromium presumbably probably did play biggest role in reaction. Don't know how Kelp/Taurine/Niacin parts of stack effected me, though, but they could have adversely affected me in some way esp if Kelp had glutamates. Glutamate is EVIL for depression I heard.
As I said, each component of the Stack played certain roles:
Chromium - regulate glucose
Taurine - Keeps muscle cells filled out and volumized
Niacin - Synergized with Chromium
Kelp - enhance thyroid functionIt seemed like it would have helped me lose more fat/weight, but I reacted oppositely it seemed like!!!
It was body-building oriented sites that I read about the Stack from. They are scammers afterall.
Posted by MoparFan91 on October 25, 2005, at 0:23:42
In reply to Re: Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia, posted by teejay on October 24, 2005, at 7:28:43
> Rather than go over and over the pros and cons of the picolinate, why cant we as a board find a suitable salt that *IS* safe to take, as chromium is recommended for many with blood sugar problems.
No, it's not 'the picolinate' component I reacted badly to.
The Chromium, the main mineral, itself is what caused my hypoglycemia. Chromium is what 'supposedly' offers the blood sugar benefits. But I didn't need it.
The Chromium Polynicotinate wasn't any better either. Same bad reaction.
Posted by tealady on October 25, 2005, at 21:36:01
In reply to Re: Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia » teejay, posted by MoparFan91 on October 25, 2005, at 0:23:42
When I get hypoglycemia I don't get that "excess severe hunger" for sugars.. its T3 what does that to me.. so I'd suspect the excess iodine.
The hypoglycemia just makes me very tired.. and blank out ..or crash.. blurry vision and things a bit woozy kinda stuff.. no hunger.
But we're all different :-)One way its bad for the thyroid is it is thought it possibly might stimulate or cause autoimmune thyroid disease. Excess iodine is not something to really safely take.. even in the form of kelp(one of the best and most natural ways).
I've got a bottle of Chromium Glucose tolerance Factor here I bought a few years ago.. so its a bit old.. but it didn't seem to induce any of that "starving so can't think of anything but sugar..and sugar is like a fix.. but doesn't last
long" feeling
I've no idea what the "other part" is to the chromium in this.
It doesn't have to state on Ausse brands.. and sometimes its impossible to find out. I don't think its picolinate though, sope not:). I don't see any point in taking a form like picolinate when there's a question mark over its safety either.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030818/msgs/252082.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031010/msgs/268617.htmlI've recently tried just adding in 1 mcg of T3 a day and reducing the THYROID by similar.. and this is time released and mixed with T4.. and I STILL get that satrving for sugar feeling.
It doesn't wear off(adaption ) as others report it does with them.. sighBeen trying to wean off T4/Thyroid (Armour) and onto T4/T3 as its probably a safer combo wrt antibody stimulation.
Anyway just trying too say the iodine could be causing this "starving for sugar craving" via the iodine ..as Jlx says...
I've never heard of chromium causing that feeling?
Jan
Posted by MoparFan91 on October 25, 2005, at 22:56:49
In reply to Re: Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia, posted by tealady on October 25, 2005, at 21:36:01
Posted by teejay on October 26, 2005, at 21:28:16
In reply to What's the highest amount of Iodine that is safe? (nm), posted by MoparFan91 on October 25, 2005, at 22:56:49
I'd say that would entirely depend on the functioning state of your thyroid, and also would depend greatly on your diet too (ie how much you get naturally).
If you really wish to play with iodine, i'd take it very carefully and use small doses. *IF* those small doses have an effect then I'd recommend telling this to your doctor, getting your levels checked and then taking further doses whilst being monitored.
The trouble with glandular systoms (and hormones too) is they are all intertwined, and skewing the functioning of one can affect so many others.
TJ
Posted by RaviSpencer on January 9, 2009, at 16:35:54
In reply to Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia, posted by MoparFan91 on October 24, 2005, at 0:06:09
I agree with MoparFan91. I had two days of suffering with Chromium Picolinate. I am still having low blood sugar, no appetite, headache worth 2 aspirins, palpitaions, pain in the left arm, weighted feeling on the heart area, dilated pupils and blood pressure 160/90. Normally, I am a very healthy and athletic mid-40 man. The euphoria is followed by a crash. This is toxic and any weaker person would have had a heart attack by now. FDA should regulate this in MultiVitamins - The prescribed dose of 200 mcg taken twice will get you all these symptoms in 6 hours after ingestion.
Posted by JLx on January 12, 2009, at 19:40:10
In reply to Re: Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia » MoparFan91, posted by RaviSpencer on January 9, 2009, at 16:35:54
I've taken Chromium Picolinate regularly without any symptoms at all. I wonder if it is reacting with something else here? (I don't take any meds, just a lot of supplements).
JL
> I agree with MoparFan91. I had two days of suffering with Chromium Picolinate. I am still having low blood sugar, no appetite, headache worth 2 aspirins, palpitaions, pain in the left arm, weighted feeling on the heart area, dilated pupils and blood pressure 160/90. Normally, I am a very healthy and athletic mid-40 man. The euphoria is followed by a crash. This is toxic and any weaker person would have had a heart attack by now. FDA should regulate this in MultiVitamins - The prescribed dose of 200 mcg taken twice will get you all these symptoms in 6 hours after ingestion.
Posted by laloux on March 26, 2009, at 14:11:47
In reply to Re: Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia » RaviSpencer, posted by JLx on January 12, 2009, at 19:40:10
> I've taken Chromium Picolinate regularly without any symptoms at all. I wonder if it is reacting with something else here? (I don't take any meds, just a lot of supplements).
>
> JL
>
> > I agree with MoparFan91. I had two days of suffering with Chromium Picolinate. I am still having low blood sugar, no appetite, headache worth 2 aspirins, palpitaions, pain in the left arm, weighted feeling on the heart area, dilated pupils and blood pressure 160/90. Normally, I am a very healthy and athletic mid-40 man. The euphoria is followed by a crash. This is toxic and any weaker person would have had a heart attack by now. FDA should regulate this in MultiVitamins - The prescribed dose of 200 mcg taken twice will get you all these symptoms in 6 hours after ingestion.
>
>I had an awful reaction to chromium picolinate. The first time I took it I took 400micrograms, short while afterwards had headache, paranoia, numbness, dizziness. The second time I took it a few days later, only one 200microgram tablet, less than an hour later I felt similar effects, the weird feeling in my head, felt kinda high, later on a few hours later I got severe vertigo, dilated pupils, numbness in my hands and head, headache, anxiety, really bad palpitations, ended up in A&E. And I wasnt on any medication. I had a less severe episode the next day even without taking any more chromium.
Posted by MoparFan91 on May 8, 2009, at 12:17:47
In reply to Re: Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia, posted by laloux on March 26, 2009, at 14:11:47
> > I've taken Chromium Picolinate regularly without any symptoms at all. I wonder if it is reacting with something else here? (I don't take any meds, just a lot of supplements).
> >
> > JL
> >
> > > I agree with MoparFan91. I had two days of suffering with Chromium Picolinate. I am still having low blood sugar, no appetite, headache worth 2 aspirins, palpitaions, pain in the left arm, weighted feeling on the heart area, dilated pupils and blood pressure 160/90. Normally, I am a very healthy and athletic mid-40 man. The euphoria is followed by a crash. This is toxic and any weaker person would have had a heart attack by now. FDA should regulate this in MultiVitamins - The prescribed dose of 200 mcg taken twice will get you all these symptoms in 6 hours after ingestion.
> >
> >
>
> I had an awful reaction to chromium picolinate. The first time I took it I took 400micrograms, short while afterwards had headache, paranoia, numbness, dizziness. The second time I took it a few days later, only one 200microgram tablet, less than an hour later I felt similar effects, the weird feeling in my head, felt kinda high, later on a few hours later I got severe vertigo, dilated pupils, numbness in my hands and head, headache, anxiety, really bad palpitations, ended up in A&E. And I wasnt on any medication. I had a less severe episode the next day even without taking any more chromium.I'm back again. It's been a while.
I've started taking Chromium again recently.
The very likely reason why I had the bad reaction back in 2005 that I described above was because I took too much. That's what the associate at Garners Health Food store told me. She also told me that the other possibility was that I didn't need it, but a hair mineral test that I had back in summer of 2007 showed that I was low in that mineral. I took it again after that test, and I did fine with it. It was Chromium Polynicotinate, the Chromium that is Niacin-bound. I took it for a couple of months.
Recently, I started taking it again as well as I believe I was getting low in it again as I hadn't taken any in a while. Once again, it's the Niacin-bound, Polynicotinate form. The amount is 400mcg per day.
Back in 2005, I took up to 1000 mcg per day.
Posted by paulg on August 20, 2009, at 12:03:44
In reply to Re: Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia, posted by MoparFan91 on May 8, 2009, at 12:17:47
I am sensitive to both B complex and Chromium. I experience a lot of the same symptoms that have been described in these posts at 200 mcg dosages of Chromium GTF. However, i have found some benefit in controlling the symptoms due to hypoglycemia, such as tremor, sweating, anxiety, by taking reduced dosages. In fact, about 70 mcgs daily does well for me. I think everybody is different both in deficiency and tolerance.
Posted by Gaiamuse on October 5, 2009, at 23:28:25
In reply to Re: Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia, posted by paulg on August 20, 2009, at 12:03:44
I have been reading this thread with interest. I suspect I have been both hypoglycemic and/or insulin resistant for quite a while but that what may be good for one condition may not be good or may actually be bad for another. I was doing research on the internet to determine which supplements are good for what when I came across the study that indicated that chromium is actually counter indicated for hypoglycemia since it seems to increase the "early phase of insulin secretion" in the blood stream -- which would mean it can cause blood sugar to take a nose dive for hypoglycemics.
see: http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/062009.htm
and look for the section about chromium where it says:"However, chromium picolinate did appear to increase the early phase of insulin secretion in response to glucose."
Insulin pulls blood sugar out of the blood stream -- and too much sugar pulled out leads to hypoglycemia.
I've also had bad reactions to chromium -- it sped me up and then I crashed terribly -- which would seem to indicate I am hypoglycemic.
Since I seem to have both hypoglycemia and insulin resistance -- I have been taking cinnamon -- which appears to increase my cell's ability to help insulin transport blood sugar into my cells -- brain cells included -- so that I am less foggy headed and confused. It also appears for now to have helped emotional turmoil due to blood sugar issues though I'm not quite sure how yet. For now also it does not appear to reduce my blood sugar content -- but not quite sure yet.
Posted by Lilaki on September 4, 2011, at 19:27:59
In reply to Chromium Picolinate induced Hypoglycemia, posted by MoparFan91 on October 24, 2005, at 0:06:09
I took chromium p before without problem but recently I took it and when I went to sleep I couldn't stop having to get up to urinate and the next day I was cold and clammy and weak until I ate something. I repeated a week later taking 200 mcg of chromium p and same thing. It lowers my blood sugar too much. If I don't eat every six hours during the day I get dizzy and anxious. I guess i am hypoglycemic.
This is the end of the thread.
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