Thiamine Megadoses (Vitamin B1) and Thiamine Analogs

[kosmo35]

I've heard that choline supplements (cdp choline, alpha gpc, etc.) although they can be very beneficial at first, tend to have a depressive effect over time. Unlike these, eggs don't seem to have any side effects at the same amount of choline they contain. We can speculate on this. Perhaps the choline bound to the fats in egg yolk makes it more absorbable. I've read that cdp choline has a half-life of 3 days, which causes it to accumulate rapidly in the system, leading to symptoms of overmethylation. I thought that perhaps to get an effect similar to that of eggs, you need to take a third of the equivalent choline, or take it once every three days.
As for omega-3, in the past I've benefited from eating salmon and taking supplements, but personally it hasn't had the same effect as eggs.

[berlin1984]

I've been on the Benfotiamine regimen for two months and a half now and am very close to normal.
Two weeks ago I wanted to increase the dose to 900 mg because the anal itching I had had eased considerably with the 600 mg dose but it still gave me slight discomfort during the night.

Do you think this itching is "neuropathy"?

[berlin1984]

Regarding Thiamine transporters. For those who did genetic tests, what are your SNPs regarding those here. List thanks to ChatGPT, hopefully accurate and relevant:

1. SLC19A2 (Thiamine Transporter)

    rs1801198 (Gln174His): This SNP affects the SLC19A2 gene, which codes for a thiamine transporter protein. Variants here may affect the efficiency of thiamine uptake.

2. SLC19A3 (Thiamine Transporter)

    rs150741487 (A138V): This SNP in the SLC19A3 gene is associated with thiamine-responsive encephalopathy. Variants in this gene can affect the transport of thiamine across cell membranes.

3. TPK1 (Thiamine Pyrophosphokinase)

    rs7331990: Variants in the TPK1 gene can affect thiamine pyrophosphate production, which is the active form of thiamine.

4. TKT (Transketolase)

    rs1802407: This SNP affects the TKT gene, which plays a role in the pentose phosphate pathway that requires thiamine as a cofactor.

5. ALDH1L1 (Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family Member L1)

    rs1042357: This SNP is linked to thiamine metabolism, particularly in relation to aldehyde detoxification, where thiamine acts as a cofactor.

I only have a measurement for the first one:
rs1801198   CG
which is quite common though https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs1801198

[Andre2505]

Hi Andre2505
I believe you've only been on this protocol about a month, is that correct? From what I've read, if the thiamine is working, at first your symptoms should get worse before they improve ("paradoxical reaction"). Have your symptoms got worse?

If and when I start benfotiamine, I don't intend to supplement with either magnesium or potassium unless a blood test shows they are low or if I get muscle cramps and/or constipation. I get a lot of potassium and magnesium in my diet. I know others feel you need to supplement with these - (though I didn't see any mention of potassium in Constantini's work) -  but I guess everyone's different.

Maybe the keto diet is having an affect on things?

Good luck with month 2 

well guys, I've been doing this protocol with benfiotiamine for a month and a half, I ended up trying it up to 400 mg a day, now it's over and having ttfd I've been taking it for less than a week, on the first day 200 mg, now I take 300 mg a day, I don't know if it's too much considering that with benfotiamine I reached 400 mg, I have to say that I don't know if I had the symptoms of the paradoxical reaction, I feel good as always some days some days not so much, some moments of the day well and a few moments of the day less, classic symptoms of polka dots, it certainly didn't cure the symptoms after the orgasm.
Now that I have reordered the benfotiamine, I will try to increase the dose.

[b_jim]

I see 3 interesting points if I try to connect POIS to thiamine.

- I am very sensitive to alcohol. As if my liver wasn't filtering.
- I am very sensitive to sugar.
- Short term memory problems might be explain by B1 (Korsakoff syndrome)

[berlin1984]

- a lot of people report bloating etc with starch and improve on a more carnovire diet. (thiamine for carb processing lacking?)
- a lot of people report low motility and/or SIBO and there is claims of thiamine able to improve the motility and then (after it is restored) fixing SIBO

[b_jim]

For carbs, yes this is what I suspect.
But for the vegetal/animal proteins I think taurine is the culprit. Even  with 30-35g proteins (cereals + legumes for all essential amino acids) it does'nt work.

[berlin1984]

it does'nt work.

Could you clarify what do you mean by this?

[b_jim]

I mean I have more symptoms with vegetal diet. It's possible to have correct level of methionine with vegetal food but not taurine. 

[berlin1984]

Someone on reddit posting about TTFD (special form of thiamine) for his success:

https://www.reddit.com/r/POIS/comments/1fb2go7/after_trying_all_possible_solutions_ttfd_is_pois/

[Sisyphus]

Sisyphus's thiamine protocol

aim: I am hoping a high dose thiamine protocol might help with fatigue because that's the main benefit that has been reported with other chronic illnesses with a success rate of about 67%. As for other pois related symptoms, only time will tell.

previous protocol; Before starting any thiamine, for around the first half of 2024 I was taking the following daily: vitamin D 1000iu, vitamin K2 100mcg, methylated B complex (low dosage), 1 probiotic and adhoc occasionally the antihistamine fexofenodine 180mg (just before/after O).

Since then I have added the following:-
1. I increased vitamin D to 3000iu, vitamin K2 to 200mcg - kudos to Warrior for making the point about getting enough Vitamin D.
2. After 4 weeks I added thiamine as sublingual thiamine mononitrate 100mg.
3. After 4 weeks I added thiamine as benfotiamine 150mg - kudos to kosmo35 for the recommendation to take this at a different time from other thiamine.

Mg and K: I've read that others take Mg and K supplements to support thiamine protocols. I'm trying to avoid doing that. I have tried to take Mg various times but I don't tolerate it very well (it gives me diarrhea) so I am hoping I am getting enough Mg and K from my diet.

for scientific reasons: I am trying to keep everything else the same throughout ie. lifestyle, diet, exercise, frequency of O's etc.

blood tests: I had routine blood tests done before starting thiamine so it will be interesting to get some new blood tests sometime soon to compare.

next: I will try to increase the thiamine dosage again and then in around 4 to 8 weeks report back on how things have gone for me.  I've not had any significant side effects so far.

So that's my situation but I wondered how others are getting along with thiamine protocols? I hope it is working for some people. kosmo35 and Andre2505, I wish you well.
It would be great to hear from Berlin and Hope One Day about thiamine because you have been on this forum a long time and I have the impression you have tried thiamine before. Did it benefit you and are you still taking it regularly?