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. 


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., Adrenal → Digestive → 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, following the exact order outlined in your plan.

  • If you’re more sensitive, begin each supplement 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, use this gentler approach:

  • Start from the top of your protocol list, adding each supplement at the lowest possible dose that doesn’t cause symptoms—even just 1 drop, ⅛–¼ capsule, or half a packet.

  • The goal is not to reach full dose immediately, but to get all supplements into your routine, even at minimal levels.

  • Once all supplements are in and tolerated, go back to the top of the list and begin slowly increasing each one, one at a time.

Example – Minimal Dose Introduction Strategy:

Your protocol includes:

  1. Pregnenolone – Full dose: 15 drops, 3x/day

  2. DHEA – Full dose: 4 drops, 3x/day

  3. Licorice (liquid) – Full dose: 15 drops, 2x/day

  4. Adrenal Revive – Full dose: 1 capsule, 2x/day

  5. Multi Pack – Full dose: 1 packet, 2x/day

Days 1–5: Introduce the lowest tolerable dose of each:

  • Day 1: Pregnenolone – 1 drop

  • Day 2: Add DHEA – 1 drop

  • Day 3: Add Licorice – 1 drop

  • Day 4: Add Adrenal Revive – 1 full capsule if tolerated; if not, mix ½ capsule in water

  • Day 5: Add Multi Pack – ½ packet in the morning with food

Once stable on all items, go back to Pregnenolone and begin gradually increasing each one from top to bottom.

3. Managing Reactions: What to Do if Symptoms Occur


If you experience symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, mood swings, or digestive discomfort:

A. Supplement Holiday (for moderate to strong symptoms)

  • Stop the supplements that were added just before or during the time the new symptoms began.

  • If symptoms are significant or you’re unsure which ones triggered the issue, pause all supplements for 3–7 days, or until symptoms resolve.

  • Once stable, restart the protocol by reintroducing one supplement at a time, starting from the top of your protocol list.

  • Begin each at 25–50% of the full dose, increasing gradually as tolerated over several days.

This gives your system a reset and helps pinpoint any product that may be causing a reaction.

B. Adjust the Dose Back

  • If symptoms return during dose escalation, reduce to the last dose that felt good, stabilize there, then proceed with the next supplement as planned.

4. Dosing Examples


Pregnenolone (25% Increments):
Target: 15 drops, 3x/day


  • Mon: 1 drop, 3x/day

  • Tue: 5 drops, 3x/day

  • Wed: 10 drops, 3x/day

  • Thu: 15 drops, 3x/day


DHEA (50% Increments):
Target: 4 drops, 3x/day


  • Mon: 2 drops, 3x/day

  • Tue: 4 drops, 3x/day

Tips:

  • Sensitive patients: Increase by 10–25% per day

  • Not sensitive: May start at full dose

  • Always add only one new supplement per day, following the top-down order in your protocol to monitor and isolate reactions easily.

5. If You Still Can’t Tolerate a Product


  • If a supplement continues to cause issues, follow the Sensitive Patient Protocol or reach out to Dr. J for guidance.

  • Some patients may need detoxification or drainage support if their system is not processing supplements well.

  • If issues persist, it's time to schedule a consultation for a tailored adjustment plan.

6. When to Contact the Office


  • If you are not stable within 1–2 weeks, schedule a consult here.

  • If no appointments are available, email the office at office@justinhealth.com—we’ll do our best to get you in promptly.

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. The key is to stay in communication with Dr. J so we can guide and adapt your plan as needed.


Other Supplement Reaction Handouts:


Click here to access the digestive support guide (For HCL, enzymes and bile support)