chemo fatigue and l-carnitine deficiency

I have just finished 6 months of chemo, last one on Friday 8/27 so I am amoung the recent graduates. I was fairly active through out chemo with energy levels that were pretty normal until the last 4 weeks where my energy has plumeted and I haven't able to stay awake more than a couple of hours at a time. It is improving.

It was recommended I take L-Carnitine an amino acid as a suppliment as this will help with the fatigue. I asked my Onc. about it and he said there shouldn't be any harm in taking it although there isn't a guarrantee it will actually help with the fatigue. Of course, I couldn't help myself and dug up some information that pretty much indicates that L-Carnitine could help with chemo induced fatigue as well as chemo induced neuropathy. Some studies have shown that people have low levels of L-Carnitine or are deficient after going through chemo.

Sooo, I have my bottle L-Carnitine and started taking it this morning. I was told to give it a week so I shall report back with my own findings. As usual, please consult with your doctor or Onc. We all have unique situations and this may not be a one size fits all.

Anyway here are some URLS if you want to read up on it. I am sure there are more.

CA Cancer Journal for clinicians
http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/52/6/316

National Center for Biotechnology Information
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17696592
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19707160

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69164.cfm


As usual, please consult with your doctor or Onc. We all have unique situations and this may not be a one size fits all.