L-Carnitine protocol

Standard

50–100u

500–1,000 mg · M/W/F

Community dose.

High

120–150u

1,200–1,500 mg · M/W/F

Fat oxidation range.

Pre-WO

50u

500 mg · Before exercise

Timing-specific.

Phase	How often	Dose	Units	Notes
Standard	M/W/F	500–1,000 mg	50–100u	Community dose.
High	M/W/F	1,200–1,500 mg	120–150u	Fat oxidation range.
Pre-WO	Before exercise	500 mg	50u	Timing-specific.

Cycle & timing

Cycle: 8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off. Max: ongoing maintenance with quarterly 2-week breaks.

Timing: Pre-workout (preferred, 30–60 min before) or daily anytime.

Where: IM preferred or SubQ. Upper outer thigh for volume.

What to expect

Exercise performance and fat utilisation improvement within 2–4 weeks. Reduced post-workout fatigue. Works best in caloric deficit or with GLP-1 therapy.

How much to buy

For 8-wk @ 1500 mg × 3/wk:

60

× 600mg vials

30

× 1200mg vials

Men & women

Unisex fat-metabolism cofactor, same protocol for men and women; no meaningful sex difference. Generally well tolerated.

Dilution calculator

Set to the guide's typical mix for L-Carnitine. Change anything to see where to draw.

Vial size

BAC water added

Dose you want

Draw to

100u

Volume

1.00 mL

Strength

1000 mg/mL

Doses per vial

0

Assumes a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL). Double-check against the compound's page before you draw.

Recommended mixes

Vial	Water	Strength
600 mg	0.60 mL	1000 mg/mL
1200 mg	1.2 mL	1000 mg/mL

600 mg: 1 unit = 10.00 mg

Storage

PowderFreeze-dried: -4°F.
MixedReconstituted: 36–46°F, use within 30 days.

Don't use if: Component allergies (B12, riboflavin, lecithin, choline, methionine, lidocaine) · Hypothyroid medication, separate by 4 hours · Severe hepatic impairment (choline metabolism) · Pregnancy and lactation, specific compounding required · Bleeding disorders or anticoagulants (relative), bruising risk · Severe renal impairment (carnitine accumulation) · Seizure disorder (case reports of seizure exacerbation) · Hypothyroidism without dose separation

Stop if you notice

New seizure activity

Side effects

Fishy odour (TMAO conversion). Generally well tolerated.

Drug interactions

Warfarin: L-carnitine and choline blends can potentiate, monitor INR if combining; Levothyroxine: separate by 4 hours, choline/B-vitamins affect absorption; Anticoagulants / antiplatelets (DOACs, aspirin, clopidogrel): bruising risk with phosphatidylcholine; Insulin / antidiabetics: B-complex may shift glucose, recheck log if dosing changes; Methotrexate, trimethoprim, phenytoin: deplete folate / B12; coordinate with prescriber; Lidocaine blends (LC526): avoid other caines same session, additive cardiac effects; Stimulants / phentermine: additive CV load with high-dose lipotropics, monitor BP/HR; Warfarin (potentiation), thyroid medication (separate by 4 hours)

Labs

Compound-specific: CBC + CMP baseline; no compound-specific markers routinely required; Baseline B12, folate, MMA, homocysteine (methylation markers); TSH at baseline (B12 deficiency masks hypothyroidism); Liver enzymes (choline metabolism); Hematocrit (B12 raises RBC, polycythemia risk in some)

What these labs mean →

Warnings

Compounded products, composition varies; request the pharmacy’s COA; B12 (cyanocobalamin) contains cobalt, allergy possible; Methionine elevates homocysteine in some individuals; L-Carnitine: TMAO conversion concern in CV disease (controversial, baseline lipids); Injection-site reactions common with phosphatidylcholine; TMAO conversion may be relevant in patients with cardiovascular disease.; Fishy odor common.

Patient education

Fishy odor from choline/L-carnitine is normal, not allergic; Inject slowly to reduce stinging; Don’t use with warfarin without physician guidance (potentiation risk); Request exact ingredient list and concentrations from your compounder

These apply on top of the universal safety rules.

Pairs well with

GLP-1 agonists

fat oxidation during caloric deficit

LC526 / LC216

lipotropic stack

LC526 LC216

NAD+

mitochondrial stack

NAD+

Avoid with

Hypothyroid medication

separate by 4 hrs

Warfarin

may potentiate

Can L-Carnitine + LC526 share a syringe?

Can share a syringe. Both are water-based. Combine them if you dose on the same schedule and site.

What it does

Amino acid derivative essential for mitochondrial fatty acid transport. Injectable provides 5–10× higher plasma levels than supplement intake. Transfers long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane via CPT1/CPT2 carnitine shuttle.

References

researchdosing peptidedosages DailyMed PubMed ClinicalTrials Drugs.com

From the guide, page 53.