Carnitine results

[TaylorV]

Had some mito tests done and my carnitine esters came back practically non-existent. Carnitine free and total were within range. See below.

Carnitine esters: 1 (3.8-19.0)
Carnitine free: 39 (25.0-55.0)
Carnitine total: 40 (31.0-67.0)

Does anyone know of the significance of low esters only? Has anyone else had this?

Thx!

 

[Valentijn]

Carnitine esters: 1 (3.8-19.0)
Carnitine free: 39 (25.0-55.0)
Carnitine total: 40 (31.0-67.0)

When people talk about "carnitine esters" they usually mean a specific type called "acylcarnitines". That might be a more useful search term if you want to go looking around more on the internet.

Low carnitine esters can basically interfere with your ability to metabolize fats and/or carbohydrates, and can cause insulin issues as well.

Most research in acylcarnitine is looking at excesses, not deficiencies, but here's some regarding CFS patients with deficiencies in acylcarnitine:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8148455
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9854142
http://www.cfids-cab.org/cfs-inform/CFStreatment/vermeulen.scholte04.pdf (full text)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21205027

The general advice seems to be to supplement some form of carnitine, and the most recent study suggests adding omega-3 (fish oil) to that as well. There's a thread about acylcarnitines on this forum at http://forums.phoenixrising.me/inde...tential-involvement-of-altered-carnitin.8028/

 

[TaylorV]

Thanks Valentijn! The information you provided was fantastic and very helpful. Way more than I was able to find on my own.

Thank you again!