5-HTP Supplements

Low serotonin is associated with symptoms such as fatigue, disturbed sleep, headaches/migraines, mood disturbances, depression and more. Studies have shown that 5-HTP can help alleviate many of these symptoms in people with FMS. It's not as well researched for ME/CFS, but many doctors and patients say it helps.

Recommended 5-HTP dosages vary widely, ranging from 50 to 500 mg a day. The best course of action is to start with a very low dosage and increase it slowly.

If you're taking a drug that alters serotonin levels, be sure to talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist before adding 5-HTP to your treatment regimen. Too much serotonin can lead to a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome.

About.com's Guide to Alternative Medicine, Cathy Wong, has compiled a helpful list of other possible 5-HTP drug interactions.

Eating foods containing tryptophan, such as turkey, doesn't significantly increase your 5-HTP levels. 5-HTP supplements are easily absorbed by your body and do pass through the blood-brain barrier, so they're believed to be much more effective than dietary tryptophan.

Possible side effects of 5-HTP include nausea, dizziness and diarrhea. Allergic reactions are possible but rare.

We don't have good safety data on 5-HTP usage during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or in people with liver or kidney disease.

Children with Down's syndrome should not take 5-HTP.

• Back to Supplements for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Low Serotonin - Associated Symptoms & Treatment Options
  
• Other supplements for Pain/Tenderness:
  • Magnesium Malate
  • Vitamin D
  • Supplements that balance neurotransmitters (listed below) may help alleviate fibromyalgia pain
• Other supplements for Mood Problems:
  • DHEA
  • Supplements that balance neurotransmitters (listed below) may help alleviate mood problems
• Other supplements for Brain Function/Neurotransmitter Balance:
  • Carnitine
  • Omega-3 (Fish Oil)
  • Rhodiola
  • St. John's Wort
  • SAM-e
  • Theanine

_Sources:

Alternative Medicine Review. 1998 Aug;3(4):271-80. "5-Hydroxytryptophan: a clinically-effective serotonin precursor."

Journal of International Medical Research. 1992 Apr; 20(2):182-9. "Primary fibromyalgia syndrome and 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan: a 90-day open study."

Journal of International Medical Research. 1990 May-Jun;18(3):201-9. "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2193835?ordinalpos=6&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum"

Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America. 2000 Nov;26(4):989-1002. "Neuroendocrine perturbations in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome."