This guide is designed to help you safely follow and adjust your supplement protocol—whether you're starting for prevention, have a sensitive system, or are currently experiencing side effects. Follow each step based on your current situation. See the thyroid support dosing guide at the bottom for more fine-tuned support on thyroid dosing.

If you are not stable within 1–2 weeks, please schedule a consult with the office as soon as possible by clicking here.

1. Prevention: How to Safely Start a New Supplement Protocol

If you're starting your supplement plan for general wellness or prevention (and are not currently experiencing symptoms), follow this structured approach:

  • Start at the top of your protocol section (e.g., Digestive → Adrenal → Gut Clearing → Detox → Thyroid) and work your way down the list, one supplement at a time.
  • If you're not typically sensitive, begin each supplement at 100% of the full dose, adding one new supplement per day.
  • If you’re more sensitive, begin at 25–50% of the full dose and increase gradually over 2–4 days until reaching full dose.
  • Alternatively, find the dose that feels best without triggering symptoms and stay there until you're ready to add the next supplement.
  • This top-down, step-by-step method helps your body adapt and makes it easy to identify any supplement that may cause issues.

2. Strategy for Very Sensitive Patients

If you are highly sensitive or have reacted to supplements in the past, follow this gentler, step-by-step approach:

🌀 Starting Your Protocol Slowly

  • Begin at the top of your protocol, introducing each supplement one at a time at the lowest possible dose (e.g., 1 drop, ⅛–¼ capsule, or half a packet).
  • The goal is not to reach full dose right away — focus on getting every supplement into your routine, even at micro doses.
  • Once all supplements are tolerated, go back to the top and gradually increase each one after being stable for at least 1 week.

⚡ Special Instructions for Adrenal Drops

  • Start with 1 drop of each adrenal liquid formula in 8 oz of water.
  • Sip slowly throughout the day to ease your body into the support.
  • You may combine multiple adrenal drops in the same glass if needed.
  • Once you tolerate 6 combined drops per day, begin taking them directly before meals.
  • Aim to reach the full dose listed on your protocol or the max dose you can tolerate without side effects.
  • 99% of patients tolerate these well. If you have symptoms, it’s often due to poor detoxification or a sensitive immune system. Going slow helps.
  • If you can’t tolerate even 1 drop in water sipped throughout the day, discontinue and bring it up in your next consult.

🔁 When to Increase Again

  • Once stable for 1–2 weeks at max dose with all supplements in place, begin increasing slowly again.
  • Always make sure you are never making yourself worse — this is the first rule.

✅ Example – Minimal Dose Introduction Strategy

Your protocol includes:

  • Pregnenolone – 15 drops, 3x/day
  • DHEA – 4 drops, 3x/day
  • Licorice (liquid) – 15 drops, 2x/day
  • Adrenal Revive – 1 capsule, 2x/day
  • Multi Pack – 1 packet, 2x/day

Days 1–5: Introduce lowest tolerable dose

  • Day 1: Pregnenolone – 1 drop
  • Day 2: Add DHEA – 1 drop
  • Day 3: Add Licorice – 1 drop
  • Day 4: Add Adrenal Revive – 1 capsule or ½ capsule in water
  • Day 5: Add Multi Pack – ½ packet with food

➡️ Keep previous supplements in as you go. Once stable, restart from the top and begin increasing each item slowly.

3. Managing Reactions: What to Do if Symptoms Occur

A. Supplement Holiday

  • Stop the most recently added supplements first.
  • If unsure, pause all supplements for 3–7 days or until symptoms resolve.
  • Reintroduce one supplement at a time at 25–50% of the dose and increase slowly.

B. Adjust the Dose Back

  • If symptoms return during dose increase, go back to the last comfortable dose.
  • Stabilize there, then continue with the next supplement on your list.

4. Dosing Examples

Pregnenolone (Target: 15 drops, 3x/day)

  • Mon: 1 drop
  • Tue: 5 drops
  • Wed: 10 drops
  • Thu: 15 drops

DHEA (Target: 4 drops, 3x/day)

  • Mon: 2 drops
  • Tue: 4 drops

Tips:

  • Sensitive patients: Increase by 10–25% per day
  • Not sensitive: May start at full dose
  • Add only one new supplement per day in top-down order
  • Once stable at full doses for 1–2 weeks, you may attempt to increase again

5. If You Still Can’t Tolerate a Product

  • Pause the supplement and follow the Sensitive Patient Protocol.
  • Detox or drainage support may be needed to improve tolerance.
  • If issues persist, schedule a consult for guidance.

6. When to Contact the Office

7. Final Words of Encouragement

This process takes patience — but it works. Sensitive patients may need more time, but with a structured approach and the right support, progress is always possible. There’s always a Plan B, C, or D. Stay in communication with Dr. J so we can help guide and adjust as needed.


Other Supplement Reaction Handouts:

Die-Off Reaction Handout (For GI Clearing herbs)

Digestive Support Guide (For HCL, enzymes, and bile support)

Thyroid Dosing Support Guide (For Thyro Balance dosing)