looking for low dose ALA

Hello all;
I just finished my 7th round of the Cutler protocol on DMSA. I moved from 6mg. to 12.5 mg. and will start 18 mg. this week. I'm going to add Alpha Lipoic Acid soon, but have been warned (via Andy Cutler's Book) to start low! The problem is that I can't find it in low doses. I don't want to have to pay overseas shipping to get it from Africa, but can't figure out another way. Does anyone know of a place that sells ALA in lower doses? I've noticed some pretty dramatic improvements since being on the DMSA but I have a long way to go. Having had 4 fillings removed with no precautions has left me quite broken. I have a doctor who has the DMSA compounded for me even though she normally only does IV chelation. Fortunately, the DMSA is covered by my insurance. My doc. has never heard of compounding ALA and doesn't know where to get low doses.

I would definitely start the ALA in low doses.

You'll probably have to buy a larger dose and buy some empty capsules and split them yourself. It's hard to find lower doses.

Higher doses can really cause symptoms if started too early.

Thanks for the input, Russ. I'm so anxious to get better. After only 7 rounds, I've already noticed some positive change. My depression has lessened considerably and I have some of my energy back. I can also think more clearly. My endocrine system is still screwed up and I'm hoping that the ALA will remove enough mercury from my brain to free up my pituitary. Nothing I take seems to help my endocrine problems....I started dmsa at 6mg. Do you recommend starting ALA that low? or should I start higher? There have been a few supplements that I reacted to badly in the past. Now that I know what's going on, I looked back at the labels and noticed that the supps. had ALA in them.

Hello Kat,
Russ is on another line at this time. As he said, if you'd like to start this, you can get empty capsules and divide it in a few different capsules. Yet, if you think you are reacting to this ALA, you may need to not take it. We really can't give out medical advice. I'll see if Russ can get back with you. Or maybe just click on his name in 'red' in the who's online column? You decide.
I will turn on the light and notify him. He may get back with you within 24 hours. Thank you. Take care.

Hello Kat,
Seems we are having connection difficulties. I'll try to get Russ' attention. It may be a while. So just know we haven't forgotten you.
Abigail

Kat,

It's very good to start ALA at very low levels.

It's very encouraging that you're seeing positive results. It's sounds to me like you're on the right track.

As you progress, you may consider some of the things in my detox plan which is listed at the top of this forum.

Please keep us posted and let us know how you're doing.

Hi Abigail:
I'm certainly not looking for medical advice from anyone. Been there, done that with over 11 specialists. That's why I'm here. I'm looking for people who have experienced mercury toxicity and can share what they have gone through so that I can benefit from their wisdom and perhaps shine some light by what I'm going through. I will take ALA because it's part of the Cutler Protocol, which is what I'm doing. The point I was making is that taking ALA without reducing the mercury load with dmsa first can pull mercury and redistribute it. I didn't know that I was mercury toxic until recently. I could never figure out why I reacted to so many supplements. It was obviously because many natural supplements pull out and recirculate mercury without actually removing it from the body. I've been on dmsa for 2 months and will start ALA in one month more. I just can't find any place in the states that offers low doses. I'm sure that I should start as low as I started the dmsa 6 mg.

Thanks for the response, Russ.
I'm pretty sure that I will have to order ALA from South Africa. My local compounding pharmacy with do it, but will charge $55 for a month's supply.
I finished my 8th round of dmsa. I upped it to 18 mg. I'm feeling really lousy after this round. The fatigue,depression, and hair loss have exploded. I feel as rotten as I did before I started. I'm wondering if the chelation could be affecting my thyroid? Is it normal to have a set back? will it get better or worse? I don't know what to do except keep moving forward. I've tried thyroid supplements before which caused me to swing from hypo to hyper thyroid, so I'm a little afraid to mess with the thyroid. I'm trying the Algin to see if it will help. Any ideas?

Hello Kat,
I've thinking about you and wondering how you are doing. I also went online and found that place (you found), in Africa that has the ALA. Also, FYI, it comes in the tablet form 50mg. right here in the United States. iherb is a good company I have used them a few times. Here is their information. Since it is 50mg, and you want only about 1/4 that size, a pill splitter should be able to split it two times.
I use the pill splitter often. Which most places that sell RX's carries. Very inexpensive.
I'll give you this website and you can look into it, if you desire. I sincerely hope you feel better real soon. // As you know, do not believe everything your read on the internet. The reviews on this one, some good, some looney. Have a great day.
<http://www.iherb.com/product-reviews/Source-Naturals-Alpha-Lipoic-Acid-50-mg-100-Tablets/1023/?p=1>

Hi Abigail,

Thank you for checking in with me. I really appreciate it. I checked with iherb and found the 50 mg. I think it was Natrol? brand. I have a pill cutter, but was under the impression that ALA came in a capsule? I'm anxious to try it, but am a little worried. I react to so many things. I've been trying NAC again in small doses, but it makes my hair loss worse. For some reason, supplements that are so good for so many people are awful for me.. I'm on round 9 of the dmsa at 18 mg. I'm a little down, because now I'm gaining weight for no apparent reason; and losing my hair at an increased rate. I exercise daily, eat a supremely healthy diet, and have always been naturally thin. I've become some other person. I'm suspicious that my thyroid is messed up, but the last time I tried supplementing for a sluggish thyroid, I ended up hyper thyroid.....Do you have any experience with any of this, Abigail? I really need some kind of relief and don't know where to get it. We are financially strapped and I need to start applying for teaching jobs again, but this mercury thing has crippled me so badly physically and emotionally that I can't imagine being able to manage a classroom right now. On top of that I have no confidence left as I'm losing my hair and now gaining weight!! I read in the Cutler book that at one point in detox, everything gets worse and then it very slowly gets better. I guess I need reassurance that I'm doing the right thing; and that it will indeed get better at some point.

Hello Kat,
I've gone back on your posts and read several things, one that you don't do well with the NAC, and that you already had your thyroid checked.

So, we need to stay on one item at a time, or else we will not 'know' what truly helps.
I've been on line for over an hour trying to find the lowest possible capsule of ALA, (found 25mg)-- and I will put the address below. You can check it out. For what you're looking for, this seems the best, and just get some empty capsules, and put half in the empty one. Thereby you will have the amount you say you should begin.
I sincerely hope this helps you. It is very difficult to find the low dosage of ALA, as you know (we all are different).
Please try not to think about too many areas at one time, (ie thyroid, NAC, etc). Let's take this one step at a time. YES, the Cutler book does say that it is NOT unusual to go through some fatigue, and a few other things, while getting all the mercury out.

Yes, the ALA comes in Capsules and Tablet form in different Nutritional Websites.

What I'm wondering is that you said, your Dentist did not take the necessary precautions. Do you suspect you should see a different Dentist that specializes in removing amalgam fillings, and make sure all is well? (Just a thought.)

The ALGIN (Sodium Alginate (from brown seaweed), has been a life saver for me along with the DMSA. Russ' website carries this. Although it says 950mg per 2 capsules, the true Sodium is 50mg. each capsules.

You will feel better soon.It took all these years to get the problems behind you, now try, my friend to be patient a little longer and you WILL feel better. Russ' page is the top blue line.<http://www.onlythebestherbs.com>
--The following blue line is the company with hypoallerginic, ALA (25mg), for sensitive people. Such as you said you are. The LOWEST on the web.
<http://www.nutraexpress.com/alpha-lipoic-acid-25-mg-90-capsules-kirkman/>
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--Hello Kat (searchers) for low dose ALA~

I just found another website that might work better with your search for the 25mg. ALA (You can divide it as needed).
Price $17.25 / 25mg. / 90 capsules Hypoallergenic. / IT ALSO said FAST FREE SHIPPING.
There were several positive results posted.

<http://www.pureformulas.com/alpha-lipoic-acid-25-mg-90-capsules-by-kirkman.html#sthash.eVuuh5P9.dpbs>

Hi Abigail,
You are wonderful! Thank you for doing all that research for me! I frequently order from pure formulas and had no idea that they had a low dose ALA. That's great. I have the Algin that Russ recommended. I need to start using it on a daily basis. I have trouble timing it between meals and away from the dmsa. I just had a bunch of tests done again. I suspected my thyroid was running low and it is. The strange thing is that the free T4 is normal, but the free T3 is low.(2.3 on a scale of 2.2-4.0)
My white blood and platelet count is below normal also. My rheumatoid factor keeps going up, too. Is this all related to mercury?

Greetings Kat!
....It's nice to hear that you can now get the ALA and begin getting it into your system. Blessings!
Yes, do begin the Algin, and try your best to take it as directed. At least, take 2 caps, twice daily. I'm making it on that.

My friend, I really don't know anything about the Thyroid and the other two you mentioned. But I would certainly give all this time as you get these other products, (ALA and Algin), into your body. Yes, and the DMSA as you are taking it. Once again Kat, we are all made so differently. BUT we can usually help each other with the best natural things that work for us. Maybe, go back and read Russ' page regarding what he finds works best for him.

You will begin feeling better once this 'cure' gets into your system. Give it several weeks, I would suggest. The natural supplements usually take longer, but are much more healthy for your body. Everything works differently in each individual. As you can certainly attest to.
You are very welcome for the help. Now, you take care and give all this more time to 'kick in'.