When you have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome your body has a lot of trouble producing energy. A lot of us take supplements to help give us an energy boost.
One popular supplement is carnitine. About 6 months ago, I wrote about starting it and have a noticeable increase in energy. A reader suggested an update down the road to see if it continued to work for me, because so many of us see effects drop off over time. I thought it was a great idea.
For me, carnitine does still seem to be working. My energy level has stayed pretty consistent since I started it, even through a couple of new health challenges.
I wouldn't say that carnitine is well studied, but it does have some scientific evidence behind its use. We know that it helps your cells produce energy by breaking down fat. (It's sometimes used for weight loss, but sadly I haven't experienced this.) In fibromyalgia studies, it's been shown to lower pain levels and improve mental health. In chronic fatigue syndrome, it's been shown to lessen fatigue.
My pain level was low when I started carnitine, so I can't really say whether it's helped there or not. I do know that my pain is less likely to flare in response to getting sick or having new sources of pain, but I don't know whether that's because of the carnitine.
I consider carnitine one of my most important supplements, so I'm really hoping it continues to work for me.
Here's more information on carnitine, including typical dosages, side effects, and what foods it's in:
It's important to know certain things before starting supplements. Get started the right way, here:
Have you taken carnitine? How did it work for you? Are you still taking it? Leave your comments below!
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I’ve been taking 250mg of L-carnitine daily for just over 60 days. I’ve noticed an increase in energy and weight loss. I’m also experiencing an increasing disturbance in my sleep patterns even though I take L-carnitine right after rising for the day. I thought the L-carnitine was causing this so I tried to go off it. One the second day without L-carnitine I had a severe CFS/ME crash – the worst one I’ve had in at least 4 months. I returned to taking the L-carnitine the next day and haven’t had that particular problem again. So while I like the results of taking L-carnitine, I don’t like the fact that my body seems to be dependent on it already. If my ND suggests I stop taking it then I will have to slowly schedule myself off it and find a dependable replacement.
I have not tried carnitine, but I have found, as did Vandimir, that many of the supplements which enhance energy have some undesirable side effects. Sleep disruption is one of the major effects–and so is a feeling of edginess. Fibro is a conundrum in that while it is characterized by debilitating fatigue, it also is a state of hyper arousal. The two together require a balancing of supplements.
What if you try L-Carintine during the day when you rise and in the evening, when needed, try melatonin. Melatonin in small doses is very effective as a natural sleep aid. Good luck
Melatonin PUTS you to sleep; CFS/FM mostly suffer from not being able to STAY asleep.
Anyone that can state that melatonin is a valuable sleep aid for CFS insomnia has no clue to the incredible insomnia experienced by many with CFS/FM, including me, as often three sleep meds plus supplements and relaxation techniques still does not get me more than four hours a night sleep.
Thanks for the carnitine post. As I have a hyperadrenaline form of POTS, carnitine sounds like something I should avoid. Much appreciated.
L-Carnitine is the one supplement I know has helped me. How do I know? Because a previous supplier was too expensive and I wasn’t able to take it for a while and went down hill. Then when I took it again, I got to a higher level.
I take 3000mg/day as in the Pliopys study.
I’m still severely affected but it has helped my quality of life.
3000 mg a day? Do you mean acetyl-L-carnitine rather than L-carnitine? People often confuse these two.
L-carnitine seems to help me a great deal, but I have a serious problem taking it. I took one 250 mg dose and my sleep was still impaired 2 weeks later. Since this is not a normally reported side effect of L-carnitine, I’m going to try elimating other supplements that might be activating (i.e. CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid), then try again. Even that small dose helped my energy and mood for 2 weeks.
Two years ago, when I was taking Xyrem for sleep, I was able to take 250 mg L-carnitine twice a week and still sleep, but it did make me anxious. I lost 15 pounds very easily.
Be well!
Elaine