Phosphatidylcholine, the main cell-membrane fat and chief food form of choline, is a supplement promoted for liver health and memory. In fatty liver linked to obesity or diabetes, a medicinal soybean form lowered liver fat and long-term blood sugar in one manufacturer-funded trial. Dementia, cholesterol and bowel-disease claims have not held up. A suspected heart risk from dietary choline is unconfirmed for supplements; side effects are mostly mild digestive upset. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ALT | ≤30 U/L men, ≤19 U/L women | Safety check for liver injury |
| Liver fat (CAP by transient elastography) | No established target; track change from own baseline | Main outcome in the fatty liver trial |
| HbA1c | 4.0–5.6% | Fell in the fatty liver trial |
| Plasma TMAO | No established target; track change from own baseline | Safety check: a clear rise argues for stopping or switching form |
| eGFR | ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m² | Safety check: kidney clearance governs TMAO |
| INR (anticoagulant users only) | No established target for PC use; the prescriber's therapeutic range applies | Safety check: a shift prompts anticoagulant dose review |
Cadence: Baseline liver enzymes, HbA1c and eGFR, plus TMAO if the cardiovascular question is a concern, INR on anticoagulants and a liver-fat scan in metabolic fatty liver; liver enzymes and HbA1c at 3 and 6 months, then every 6–12 months while supplementation continues; INR within 1–2 weeks of starting or stopping; TMAO 4–8 weeks after starting if measured at baseline; liver-fat imaging after 6 months