Posts made by marmalade_cat

@idealabsrat thank you!

I'm going to try to check out thiamine.

I'm wondering how one determines that thiamine is being excreted in urine?

@Lena said in Glucose loading cures everything?:

I have been reading here for some time, and just registered to write here. I've had dextrose as my main source of energy for 2,5 years, because I don't tolerate enough of any other carbs.
This summer I learned about the dextrose protocol and tried it. I got terrible blood sugar crashes.
Now I have found what works for me. I take one Tbsp at a time, and then I wait a few minutes before I take another Tbsp. Lately I've been taking 7 Tbsp during 30 minutes 3 times a day, before breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don't get blood sugar crashes now.

Thanks @Lena for sharing. That's so interesting.
As someone who has also experienced extreme blood sugar crashes on the glucose protocol, I'm curious to know more:

• when you say you take 1 tablespoon at a time, I'm assuming you dissolve in water? I'm curious how much water/liquid per tablespoon?
• sorry for being pedantic, what is a "few" minutes, between tablespoons?
• what does your meals consist of? Macros and food types?
• has the volume of food changed on the dextrose protocol? I have found if I don't eat enough food with the Dextrose I experience hypo glycaemia.
• do you mind sharing age. I'm assuming you're female?

Thanks in advance!

@S-Holmes
thanks for the update @S-Holmes .

Like you, I found that thyroid meds (NDT), did not have a significant improvement on my temp (or pulse).

At 75g x 5 times a day, I am consistently achieving daytime (approx 10/11am to sunset) temp of 36.9-37.0C (98.4F - 98.6F). This while reducing NDT (over last 5 months I have reduced from 4 grain to 1/2grain).

FYI, I use a digital thermometer, but place it in my armpit for minimum 10 minutes, before switching on. This is the reading I use.

My waking and night time temp are not consistent and below target. I vary between 36.1 - 36.5C (96.98F-97.7F). Most often round 36.3/36.4C. I am aiming for minimum 36.6C (98.88F). I'm not yet sure of the reasons for the variance.

@S-Holmes are you able to share what your waking temps are like? And have you seen improvement in pulse with glucose protocol?

@CrumblingCookie
Thanks for sharing this extract from Dr Mercola.
I happened to see from his Youtube channel that he has pivoted to Ray Peat, from his previous keto stance.
I wonder whether he knows about Dr Stephens, and whether Dr Stephens is aware of this approach from Mercola.

While I don't exactly follow Mercola's advice of drinking throughout the day, as I mentioned in previous posts, I switched to increased frequency of 5 times a day (from 3 times a day), to address the hypoglycemia symptoms with high doses of dextrose.

I am currently at 75g x 5 times a day.

@S-Holmes

Thanks for the update @S-Holmes .

I am happy to hear that you are proceeding with the glucose experiment.

Notwithstanding my alarming weight gain, and the lack of symptom resolution at my current dose which already feels like its a lot (70g x 5 times a day) I am also for the moment persevering with this experiment. I must admit it's not easy to stay motivated though.

I have a few follow-up questions if you don't mind:

1. Have you now lost the weight that you initially gained?
2. How would you say the amount of food you currently consuming (non dextrose calories), compares to the pre-dextrose food consumption? I find that if I reduce my food intake, my temperature drops, and I do sometimes feel hungry.
3. I recall you did mention in previous posts, but could you explain more about the symptoms you are recycling?
4. What would you say is the key factor/s that is keeping you motivated to continue?

@S-Holmes
Look forward to it.

Hi to everyone. I am new to this forum and signed up just to reply on this thread. This is a l-o-n-g post.

I started the glucose protocol about 2 months ago, and found this forum after googling to find information on others trying the same thing.

Really appreciate all the valuable information and insights shared here . I slowly worked my way through from the beginning to the end.

This is my experience so far:
INTRODUCTION
Starting my third month on dextrose. 55 year old woman. low carb-ish for many years. Intermittent fasting, lots of cardio etc etc. (I know I know !!) Was strict carnivore for about 6 months, up to about 5-6 months ago, when came across Ray Peat, and slowly started introducing fruit and honey (built up to about 50-75g carbs a day).

I don't recall any concussions, but had traumatic and abusive childhood.

SYMPTOMS/CONDITIONS I'M HOPING TO HAVE RESOLVED:
a) long standing

hypothyroidism (with most of the symptoms eg low basal temp, extremely low pulse, cold hands and feet, high cholesterol, eye-brows, etc)
low haemoglobin
hyperhidrosis
dysregulated nervous system. Chronic survival mode

b) started in my 40's

brain fog**
hair loss/thinning**
low energy, fatigue**
xanthalasma
lipoma on the side of my neck
hyper pigmentation in face
Excruciating itching after shower or bath (started with cold plunging and then started happening even with warm water). No sign of rash or red skin or any other outbreak
weight gain
mind going blank, can't recall words, names for a moment
high ferritin

** resolved or reduced with other interventions before glucose

c) Psycho-emotional symptoms

Unworthiness, toxic shame, hyper-self criticism and self condemnation. Punitive self talk
Chronic anxiety
Depression

OTHER INTERVENTIONS/SUPPLEMENTS/MEDICATIONS

lugols iodine
NDT (slowly reducing dose. Currently on 1/2 grain. was as high as 4 grain)
Magnesium powder and potassium powder
epsom salt foot baths
calcium (egg shells)
infra red light therapy
circadian biology practices (eg block blue light, sunrise/sunset , sun exposure, eat only in daylight hours, grounding, etc)
sauna
Meditation/yoga nidra

GLUCOSE LOADING

take in small amount of water, plus lemon juice and pinch of salt

GLUCOSE LOADING so far

roughly followed his book recommendation, starting at round 24g X 4 times a day..adding about 8 -10 grams per week, or depending on how I react
switched to 3 times a day
experienced slight nausea occasionally, briefly after consuming glucose, but it would disappear after a couple of days.
Noticed fasting glucose was decreasing (i was normally about midway of normal range). but now it was slowly moving to the lower end of normal.
reached 80g X 3 times a day, and started experiencing unsettling symptoms about 40-60 mins after consuming glucose and meal: headaches, jittery, brain fog, weak, ravenously hunger after eating a large meal plus glucose). I was randomly testing blood sugar, and saw my blood sugar was plummeting, as low as 3.2. I must admit it was freaking me out. Would wake up in the middle of the night in cold sweat, pounding headache, mind racing, ravenously hungry, gripped with fear, etc). Then realised these were hypoglycemic symptoms and that cortisol spike was waking me up. Please note that I was consuming the glucose drink with meals (animal protein and animal fat). Also dissolved in milk before bed sometimes.

I managed to get a brief slot with Dr Stephens, who suggested that I need to eat more (I had tried to reduce non dextrose calories because of weight gain), and also that I possibly moved up too quickly to 80g.

I reduced to 60g x 3 times a day again, and increased food intake. I am eating almost normal calorie food PLUS dextrose.

Then slowly moved to 80g again, and the hypoglycemic symptoms returned.

Thanks to this thread, I found an article on REACTIVE HYPOGLYCEMIA, which is what I believe was happening to me. I wonder whether some of the symptoms being noted by others on the protocol could also be due to REACTIVE HYPOGLYCEMIA. Please note I am not diabetic.

I then decided to try increasing the frequency of dosing. I am now at 70g x 5 times a day. with no noticeable hypoglyemia symptoms.

I am tracking body temp and pulse. My waking temp is currently 36.3C (it was lower before), with daytime temp rising to optimal 37.0 to 37.1C. Even though it drops gain after sunset, this is very encouraging! All while reducing NDT. The curious thing I've noticed is that even when daytime temps are normal, I still experience extremely cold hands and feet (we are also coming out of winter in my part of the world).

My pulse has not improved at all. Its low to mid 50's, sometimes going as low as 47.

I have not yet had relief of the physical symptoms. Regarding the psycho-emotional issues, they are so subjective, I'm not sure (yet). There are times when I feel a more positive mood, but not sure if this is due to the glucose or other interventions (eg therapy).

On the downside, I have gained about 6-7kgs over the last 2 months of dextrose. This is the heaviest I've ever been, and it feels very uncomfortable. Part of it may be water retention - I do feel very bloated. Not sure if my carnivore, low carb history is a contributing factor here.

Comments and insights welcome!