An inexpensive, widely available compound used for energy and as a broad antioxidant. Its hair rationale — easing damage and inflammation around the root, perhaps softening the hormone signals behind pattern loss — is plausible but largely unproven, resting on early, often indirect research. A low-risk, low-cost option that warrants only modest hair expectations. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ferritin | 40–70 ng/mL | Low iron is a common, correctable cause of hair shedding |
| TSH | 0.5–2.5 mIU/L | Thyroid dysfunction causes diffuse hair loss and must be excluded |
| Fasting glucose | 75–90 mg/dL | Tracks thioctic acid's blood-sugar-lowering effect and hypoglycemia risk |
| HbA1c | < 5.4% | Detects meaningful shifts in glucose control over time |
| Fasting insulin | 2–6 µIU/mL | Reflects insulin sensitivity, the pathway thioctic acid acts on |
| Vitamin D | 40–60 ng/mL | Low vitamin D is associated with hair-cycle disruption |
Cadence: Baseline, recheck at ~3 months, then every 6–12 months; more frequent glucose checks if diabetic or on glucose-lowering therapy.