Finding the Correct Dosage of Spectrum Sciences Oils and Multivitamin

We get a lot of questions about how many drops of each product to apply.

This is understandable.  You want to improve your health or that of a loved one.  Guessing on a decision like this invites anxiety.

We're happy to tell you that you don't have to guess!  Determining the correct dosage can take some trial and error, but following the brief guide in this article, you can be confident that you are giving the body what it needs to bring your biochemistry into balance.

Dosing Iodide Oil

2 drops of Iodide Oil provides the RDA for iodine.  This is a reasonable starting place for most people before assuming they need a higher dose.  After at least 4 weeks of being on 2 drops, a thyroid panel can help assess functional status and dosing adjustments.  The most useful functional test for iodide sufficiency is the thyroid panel, which looks specifically at TSH and T4 (free and total).

T4, total: this marker is a good measure of dose-response to Iodide Oil.  If it increased since your last test, that means your thyroid is making more T4 in response to any dietary/supplement/lifestyle changes you made since your last test.  Because the body can regulate how much iodide it imports into the thyroid tissue, you may not notice a direct increase in response to higher Iodide Oil dosage.

This marker should be comfortably above the middle of the reference range, preferably in the upper third of the range.  The middle of the reference range can be calculated by dividing the sum of the upper and lower cutoffs by 2.  To determine the lower cap of the upper third, follow this formula: take the difference between the upper and lower cutoff, then multiply this by 0.67.  Add this number to the bottom cutoff, and that is your lower cap of the upper third.

T4, free: this marker measures the amount of T4 available to reach cells, accounting for that which is bound to serum proteins.  It is more directly correlated to thyroid hormone activity than total T4 but can be a less informative marker in the context of dose-response than is total T4.  If this marker, or total T4, are below mid-range, it suggests functional demand for more iodide.  We suggest increasing by at least 2 drops or until subjective improvements are noted, in this case.

TSH: this marker measures the pituitary signal calling for the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone.  If the signal is strong (high TSH), the pituitary senses low circulating thyroid hormones.  We want this marker to be close to 1.0 (+/- 0.5).  Slightly higher readings of ~2.0 are acceptable if T4 and T3 are both in ideal places.

If TSH is above 1.5 and T4 is below mid-range, we advise that you increase the dosage of Iodide Oil by at least 2 drops, or until subjective improvements are noted.  After holding the dose steady for at least 4 weeks, you can repeat the thyroid panel for further dose refinement.

Note that elevated TSH can also result from insufficient T3, and this marker responds to giving more Selenium Oil in that context.

Dosing Selenium Oil

2 drops of Selenium Oil provides the RDA for selenium.  This is a reasonable starting place for most people before assuming they need a higher dose.  After at least 4 weeks of being on 2 drops, a thyroid panel can help assess functional status and dosing adjustments.  The most useful functional test for selenium sufficiency is the thyroid panel, which looks specifically at TSH and T3 (free and total).

T3, total: this marker is a good measure of dose-response to Selenium Oil.  If it increased since your last test, that means your liver is making more T3 in response to any dietary/supplement/lifestyle changes you made since your last test.  Because the body also requires zinc and magnesium for T3 production, you may not always notice a direct increase in response to higher Selenium Oil dosage.

This marker should be comfortably above the middle of the reference range, preferably in the upper third of the range.  The middle of the reference range can be calculated by dividing the sum of the upper and lower cutoffs by 2.  To determine the lower cap of the upper third, follow this formula: take the difference between the upper and lower cutoff, then multiply this by 0.67.  Add this number to the bottom cutoff, and that is your lower cap of the upper third.

T3, free: this marker measures the amount of T3 available to reach cells, accounting for that which is bound to serum proteins.  It is more directly correlated to thyroid hormone activity than total T3 but can be a less informative marker in the context of dose-response than is total T3.  If this marker, or total T3, are below mid-range, it suggests functional demand for more selenium.  We suggest increasing by at least 2 drops or until subjective improvements are noted, in this case.

TSH: this marker measures the pituitary signal calling for the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone.  If the signal is strong (high TSH), the pituitary senses low circulating thyroid hormones.  We want this marker to be close to 1.0 (+/- 0.5).  Slightly higher readings of ~2.0 are acceptable if T4 and T3 are both in ideal places.

If TSH is above 1.5 and T3 is below mid-range, we advise that you increase the dosage of Selenium Oil by at least 2 drops, or until subjective improvements are noted.  After holding the dose steady for at least 4 weeks, you can repeat the thyroid panel for further dose refinement.

Note that elevated TSH is more likely to respond to higher dosing of Iodide Oil if T4 levels are below the mean.  In other words, high TSH is more specific to iodine demand than it is to selenium demand if T4 levels are suppressed.

Dosing Molybdenum Oil

1 drop of Molybdenum Oil provides the RDA for molybdenum.  We suggest that you start with a single drop.  Use the HTMA to assess adequacy, though this is not a perfect assessment.  The blood test for serum uric acid, if low, can suggest poor functional status of molybdenum.

Symptoms of impaired sulfur metabolism (such as sensitivity to sulfury foods and sulfites in particular) are also suggestive of a functional molybdenum deficiency.

If HTMA is below the middle of the range and/or serum uric acid is low, we suggest adding at least 1 additional drop of Molybdenum Oil before retesting.  Note that changes will not begin to show up on HTMA for at least one month and may not show full effect until 2-3 months following the change.  Serum uric acid should respond within one month.

If symptoms of impaired sulfur metabolism present, continue adding 1 drop of molybdenum until subjective improvement is noted.  Do not exceed 8 drops daily without frequent medical oversight, as excessive molybdenum can impair copper status, which if left unchecked, can lead to anemia and/or leukopenia.

Dosing Activated B12 Oil

We see the most meaningful improvements in MMA and homocysteine when administering 8 drops of Activated B12 Oil daily.  After assessing skin tolerance with a single drop, you can either progress slowly to 8 drops or immediately start the recommended dose.  This provides 2.5 mg, which is far beyond the RDA, and the reason for this might be partially explained by the fact that a great deal of high-dosed vitamin B12 is consumed in its pharmacological role.

In a deficiency state, B12 will partition into the liver (and into the brain to a much lesser extent) for storage, meaning we must first address depleted tissue stores before the functional deficiency can be overcome.  Thankfully, at 2.5 mg per 8 drops, it only takes a couple doses before tissue storage requirements are satisfied.

After one month of taking 8 drops, your OAT should reflect a reduction of MMA, as well as MMA and homocysteine in blood.  If MMA is not well below mid-range (preferably closer to the bottom quartile), more B12 is needed.

Homocysteine is not as specific to B12 status, but it can be a useful marker taken into a broader context.

Dosing Protocol Support

Protocol Support Multivitamin & Multimineral Supplement was formulated with consideration of how various vitamins and minerals impact patient results on the organic acids test ("The OAT").  The OAT is used to determine how various enzymes are performing in the body, and hence how well the energy-producing machinery in the body is performing.  The premise here is that by supplying vitamin and mineral co-factors in response to the OAT results, we can increase the performance of various underperforming enzymes in order to correct metabolic defects and dysfunctions.

It was determined that on average, giving one capsule of Protocol Support for each 15 pounds of body weight is where enzyme performance plateaus for most people.  We have therefore included the directions to consume this dosage, spread throughout the day, as one's target dosage.

The combination of vitamins and minerals contained in Protocol Support can accelerate many enzymes in the body all at once, so it is best to start with a low dosage (approximately 1/4 of the target dosage) and slowly progress to the full dosage over the course of a few weeks.  This will reduce or eliminate any temporary negative symptoms that some people can experience.  Progressing slowly can also inform the person of whether their personal threshold is lower than the target dosage or to keep going.

Once the target dosage has been reached, we suggest you stay on this dosage for at least one month before submitting an OAT.  Though it is an optional test, this gives excellent insight into whether this person could benefit from more of any particular component of the formula.  If testing still suggests deficiencies in one or more nutrients, you can either add them as single supplements or increase your intake of the multivitamin.

Now, let's dive into a quick and easy way to use the OAT to inform you of the functional status of various vitamins, along with some blood tests you can order for a more refined picture.  Unlike vitamins, most minerals will require RBC element testing and/or hair tissue testing to gain insight into their statuses, however.

Mosaic Diagnostics (formerly Great Plains) Urinary Organic Acids Test (OAT) measures ~76 metabolites, including several direct or indirect markers of functional vitamin/mineral status. These reflect cellular-level cofactor needs or pathway blocks, often more sensitively than static blood levels for many nutrients.

Elevations typically indicate functional insufficiency (e.g., cofactor demand exceeding supply, leading to metabolite buildup upstream of a blocked enzyme). Low levels of some excreted vitamins (i.e., pantothenic acid) may suggest deficiency. Interpretation must consider clinical context, as many markers are nonspecific (influenced by gut microbes, diet, toxins, genetics, etc.). The test is not diagnostic alone.

Below, I list relevant analytes per nutrient (most to least useful based on specificity/strength of association in OAT literature), with correlation ratings (Strong: primary/direct marker; Moderate: supportive/indirect; Weak: nonspecific or minor). For some vitamins, I note better blood/functional tests. For minerals, I compare to hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) and RBC minerals.

For the sake of simplicity, this article removes much of the nuance involved in clinical interpretation of the OAT and does not replace medical oversight. This portion of the guide is going to focus on the most influential OAT analytes, but thorough interpretation would require a much broader context. Unless stated otherwise, we are aiming for a lower value on each of the listed analytes, with an optimal target in the lower quartile (or at least significantly below the middle of the reference range).

This is based on prior lab interpretations and scientific literature evaluation; individual results vary.

B1 (Thiamine)

• Pyruvic acid (pyruvate) and Lactic acid (most useful markers; strongly correlated): Elevated pyruvate (impaired pyruvate dehydrogenase) and/or lactate indicate B1 (and related B2/B3/B5) insufficiency. Classic indicators for thiamine deficiency.  If either marker is above the lower quartile, you may need additional thiamine.  The ratio of lactate-to-pyruvate is often equally important, as this will be elevated in a state of thiamine deficiency, indicating overreliance on glycolysis to meet cellular energy demands.
• Branched-chain ketoacids (e.g., 2-oxoisovaleric, 2-oxoisocaproic, etc.; moderately correlated): Elevations suggest impaired BCAA metabolism needing B1 (and B2/B3/B5/lipoic acid).
• Alpha-ketoglutaric acid (2-oxoglutaric; moderate-weak correlation): Can accumulate in B1-related mitochondrial/Krebs issues.

B2 (Riboflavin)

• Glutaric acid (strong correlation): Elevated as a key OAT marker for riboflavin deficiency (impairs multiple flavin-dependent enzymes).
• Adipic, suberic, sebacic acids (fatty acid oxidation markers; moderately correlated): Elevations suggest B2 (and carnitine) demand in beta-oxidation.
• Succinic acid and other Krebs intermediates (moderate-weak correlation): Supportive of mitochondrial cofactor needs including B2, but less specific to B2, as any bottleneck in oxidative phosphorylation can potentially lead to succinic acid accumulation.

B3 (Niacin)

• Krebs cycle intermediates (e.g., malic, fumaric, succinic, alpha-ketoglutaric; moderate correlation): Elevations can indicate NAD+ (from B3) insufficiency affecting energy metabolism.
• Lactic/pyruvic and general mitochondrial markers (weak-moderate correlation): NAD+/NADH are required for several enzymes involved in glycolysis and the Krebs Cycle, as well as Respiratory Chain Complex I.

Note that there is no highly-specific direct OAT marker. Niacin status is harder to assess via OAT alone.

Typically, the best way to assess B3 status is by clinical response to B3 supplementation. OAT is best used as indirect/supportive assessment.

B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

• Pantothenic acid (direct excretion; strong correlation): Low levels suggest deficiency - we are looking for levels above the middle of the reference range, though it is important to note that this is NOT a functional marker, and simply a marker of intake.
• Pyruvic/lactic acids and branched-chain ketoacids (moderately correlated): CoEnzyme A (from B5) is critical for pyruvate dehydrogenase and related pathways.

B6 (Pyridoxine)

• Kynurenic acid and Quinolinic acid (tryptophan pathway; moderate-strong correlation): Elevations (or altered ratio of quinolinic-to-kynurenic) indicate impaired kynurenine pathway enzymes that require B6. This links to neurotransmitter imbalances and neuroinflammation.
• Other amino acid metabolites (e.g., 4-hydroxyphenyllactic, phenylpyruvic, or branched-chain related if overlapping; moderate correlation): B6 is critical for amino acid transamination; elevations can signal functional need.
• Oxalic acid (weak-moderate correlation): B6 is a cofactor in the enzyme AGXT, which prevents oxalate formation.  A B6 deficiency can cause accumulation of oxalic acid.  Oxalic acid can also accumulate from a high-oxalate diet, especially in the context of leaky gut.

B7 (Biotin)

• Methylcitric acid (strong correlation): Elevated as a primary marker for biotin insufficiency (affects propionyl-CoA carboxylase).
• 3-Hydroxyisovaleric acid (beta-hydroxyisovalerate; strong correlation): Classic for biotin deficiency.

B9 (Folate)

• Uracil and thymine (pyrimidine metabolites; moderate correlation): Elevations suggest impaired nucleotide synthesis due to folate (and/or B12) issues.  If either marker is elevated, or the ratio of uracil-to-thymine is elevated, suspect possible folate deficiency.

Better blood tests: RBC folate (tissue stores; preferred over serum folate), plasma homocysteine (functional, shared with B12/B6). OAT is supportive but not primary informant.

B12 (Cobalamin)

• Methylmalonic acid (MMA) (strong correlation): Gold-standard functional marker; elevates with intracellular adenosyl-B12 insufficiency.  This marker is typically the most sensitive and specific to a functional B12 deficiency.  If this marker is not below the middle of the reference range, there is likely some degree of functional deficiency.  One important caveat is that if there are any signs of biotin deficiency (i.e. elevated methylcitric acid), MMA may be misleadingly suppressed.
• Methylcitric acid (also affected by B12; moderately correlated).

Better blood tests: Serum MMA, holotranscobalamin (active B12), plasma homocysteine, and serum B12 (with caveats). MMA on OAT is excellent and often more sensitive than serum B12 alone.

Vitamin D

• Phosphoric acid (phosphate marker; moderately-weakly correlated): Reflects dietary phosphate and can indirectly relate to vitamin D status (via calcium/phosphate homeostasis).  This marker can either be high or low in vitamin D deficiency, so a blood test is always superior to what can be ascertained from the OAT.

Better blood tests: Serum 25(OH)D

Vitamin E

No strong direct markers. Indirect mitochondrial/antioxidant markers (e.g., via oxidative stress) are weak/nonspecific.

Better blood tests: Serum alpha-tocopherol (or tocopherol:cholesterol ratio).

Vitamin A

No strong direct markers. Indirect via general metabolism.

Better blood tests: Serum retinol or retinol-binding protein.

Vitamin C

• Ascorbic acid (direct; moderate-strong): Urinary excretion reflects status (low suggests deficiency).  Note that this will only detect a very short-term deficiency, does not assess long-term status, and sufficient levels on the OAT does not imply an optimal dosage.

Zinc

No strong specific OAT markers.

Comparison to HTMA/RBC: HTMA is commonly used for long-term zinc status (though controversial for accuracy); RBC zinc reflects intracellular levels over the past 3-4 months. OAT offers little direct insight—prefer HTMA, RBC, or serum/plasma zinc with clinical context.

Chromium

Minimal/no specific OAT markers. Indirect carbohydrate/Krebs effects (very weak correlation). Fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and fasting insulin are better indirect markers, but still not strongly correlated. HTMA can be useful in some cases.

Vanadium

As with chromium, there are minimal/no specific OAT markers. Indirect carbohydrate/Krebs effects (very weak correlation). Fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and fasting insulin are better indirect markers, but still not strongly correlated. HTMA can be useful in some cases.

Magnesium

Indirect via Krebs cycle (e.g., many enzymes need Mg; elevations in intermediates like succinate, alpha-KG) or energy markers (moderate-weak correlation). There is no direct analyte for magnesium on the OAT.

Comparison: RBC magnesium is better for intracellular status than serum. HTMA for long-term tissue. OAT supportive of functional need but indirect—RBC/HTMA preferred for direct assessment.

General Notes:

• OAT excels for functional B-vitamin insights (especially B2, biotin, folate, and B12) but is indirect for many others. Combine with blood tests, symptoms, and dietary intake.
• For minerals, OAT is generally weaker than targeted tests like RBC elements or HTMA.
• Consult a practitioner for thorough interpretation; patterns (e.g., multiple Krebs elevations) matter more than single markers. Retest after at least 4 weeks of interventions.

 

Summary

Iodide Oil: begin by working up to 2 drops. Use thyroid panel to asses dosage (T4 and TSH).

Selenium Oil: begin by working up to 2 drops. Use thyroid panel to assess dosage (T3 and TSH).

Molybdenum Oil: start with 1 drop. Use HTMA and uric acid to assess dosage.

Activated B12 Oil: work up to 8 drops. Use OAT and homocysteine to assess dosage. Serum MMA may be more accurate than the urinary assay.

Protocol Support: work up to 1 capsule per 15 pounds of body weight. Use OAT and various functional tests, mentioned above including RBC elements and/or HTMA to assess dosing.

 

Final Word

We hope you have found this guide helpful. More information about how and when to introduce each product can be found on the B12 Protocol page.

Application instructions can be found on the How To Apply page.

For individual lab consultations, to order lab testing, or to leave us feedback, you can contact support@spectrum-sciences.net