To Whom It May Concern:
I am 23 year old male, with no history of allergic reactions. I have been having much stress for the past 2 years and show very low dopamine levels resulting in tourettes syndrome facial tic and sniffing manifestations. I tried supplementing with L-Dopa (Mucuna Pruriens) to increase dopamine but had negative reactions of tension and disorientation. I then proceeded to do a complete organic acid urine test and it showed very low levels of ascorbate. Since Ascorbic acid is involved in dopamine turnover and production and no other major deficiencies of vitamins are noted along with high mental stress for past 2 years, fatigue and weight loss despite healthy diet... I have come to conclude vitamin c deficiency... not enough to be scurvy, but enough to hinder neuro-endocrine and neurotrasmitter function, along with adrenal insufficiency. I have began supplementing with a time released formula 1000/mg 3/x day along with 25mg Biflavinoids. On about the second week of supplementation I started breaking out in very itchy hives mainly around my connective bones such as knuckles, elbows, toes, ankles. It lasts for about 2 hours and dissipates.
Could this be an allergic reaction, a detox healing crisis or something else?
Please provide an " educated opinion" if I should continue with vitamin C despite the reaction,
This is an interesting reaction from someone who no doubt suffers from scurvy. Most definitely continue with pure ascorbic acid to bowel tolerance.
First, to eliminate one possible variable, I would suggest only using pure ascorbic acid powder orally, perhaps with some added bicarbonate of soda (to taste). (This precaution is just in case the allergy is to a filler in the pills, or possibly the bioflavonoids.)
Then slowly increase to your bowel tolerance. (The method is described in the "bowel tolerance" forum)
The proper way to take the pure vitamin C at least every 4 hours until all symptoms dissapate and you might then have your urine checked again. But continue taking every day.
The half life of vitamin C in the blood stream is 30 minutes, and Pauling recomended supplementing not to miss a single day. (See HOW TO LIVE LONGER AND FEEL BETTER, 1986) Even though your other vitamin levels were not low, you would probably benefit from Pauling's entire recommended supplement regimen in this book.
Let us know what happens, whether the condition clears, gets worse, no change. Monitor here for other ideas.