Thank You for Changing My Life

Hi Dr. McLeod,

Before I ask my question I would like to thank you for changing my life.  I have struggled with life for the last 6 years. My emotional challenges cost me a fiance and nearly my life last winter.  It was blind luck that I was searching through the web and happened upon your book, Liftting Your Depression. I started supplementing Chromium in May and have not felt weepy, confused, depressed, or isolated as I had on and off for years. I am currently taking 1000 mcg of CP and weigh 205 lbs.  I had a Chromium serum test taken and I believe that my level was 2.4 mcg/L.  My physician said that is on the high side.  Are there any physical dangers continuing my dosage or should I bump it down to 500 mcg. 

Also, in regards to the relationship I lost last year, I want to marry this woman.  We’ve known each other since college (10 years) and we are on talking terms right now but she is skeptical and cautious regarding my sudden turn from depressed to healthy.  Are you still practicing or do you go on road shows?  In short, is there any way she can hear you speak or do you have friends in the field near Chicago that subscribe to the same beliefs as you do in regards to Chromium’s effect on atypical depression.  She is my #1 priority and I’d love to have her hear from someone else that this is indeed a cure for some of us out there.

Thank you again and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
Will D.

ANSWER

Dear Will,

 I’m so pleased that you have contacted me and that chromium has helped you. 

The amount of chromium you are taking and your blood levels very closely parallel those of George, who is the first person I described in Lifting Your Depression.  Like you, George weighted around 200 pounds and was taking 1000 micrograms of chromium picolinate per day.  At that dosage, his serum level was 2.3 micrograms per liter (mcg/L), with the ”normal” range of chromium specified by LabCorp as between 0.9-2.1 mcg/L.  In other words, when George took 5 mcg per pound of body weight per day, his serum level rose to 2.3 mcg/L.  At that level George was completely asymptomatic, but a little jittery, as if he had had an extra cup of coffee.  We decreased his daily dosage to 600 mcg or 3 mcg per pound of body weight, his serum level fell to 1.2 mcg/L, his jitteriness disappeared and he felt great.  His memory and concentration also improved dramatically after he began taking chromium. Have you noticed any improvement in the sharpness of your thinking?

I agree with your physician that your serum level of  2.4 mcg/L  is on the high side.  I’m not aware, however, of any permanent damage that is likely to occur at such levels. But why not be on the safe side and take half as much and observe the results?  By the way, I commend your physician for measuring your blood level of chromium.  Several HMOs refuse to do so.

Yes, I am still practicing, I’ve made a few talks around the world, and have been interviewed on many radio talk shows, but I do not have any current plans to visit Chicago.  Your friend could hear me speak on the topic by going to www.chromiumconnection.com and clicking on the Video tab. 

You didn’t ask for advice regarding psychotherapy, but I’ll volunteer it anyway.   While it is true that some people cannot get better without chromium, I view it as part of a larger treatment plan.  I suggest you get into psychotherapy and explore yourself and your relationship with  your friend.   Your physician should be able to recommend someone. If not, I’d be happy to post a question to members of the North Carolina Psychoanalytic Society asking for referrals in Chicago.  Just let me know. BTW, where are you located in Chicago? 

Thank you for contacting me.

My best,

Malcolm N. McLeod, MD