@R-S – I follow the recipe by Dr. Davis, and used the BioGaia Gastrus tablets as the starter, and traditional yogurt fermentation methods using stovetop & thermometer (or my little pinky). 😉

I’ll prepare a handout with the full recipe and instructions, but here it is as well:

Ingredients:

• 950 ml raw A2 milk

• ¾ tsp potato starch

• 3 tbsp cold homemade L. reuteri yogurt (starter), or 10 Gastrus tablets, crushed

Steps:

1. Heat milk → 82–90°C for 10 min

2. Cool to → 38–41°C

3. Mix cold starter + 75 ml warm milk + potato starch → smooth slurry

4. Add back to pot

5. Wrap in blankets → wait 36 hours

6. Chill at least 8 hours & enjoy. Make sure to reserve at least 3 Tbsp as the starter for your next batch.

The dairy-free version is made with coconut milk. I’ve never made it with coconut milk, but will share Dr. Davies recipe:

• 400 ml canned coconut milk (make sure no preservatives or thickeners – only coconut milk)
• 3/4 tsp guar gum
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Tbsp raw potato starch
• 1-2 Tbsp L. reuteri yogurt, or 10 Gastrus tablets, crushed

In a small or medium-sized saucepan, heat coconut milk over a medium heat to 82°C or until it just begins to boil; remove from heat. Leave to cool 5 minutes.

Add guar gum, sugar, and potato starch to the cooled coconut milk and blend with a stick blender or pour these ingredients into a blender; blend for a minimum of 1 minute or until the mixture thickens to the appropriate thickness of double cream.

Allow the mixture to cool to 38°C (or room temp), then mix in the L. reuteri yogurt or crushed tablets. Ferment for 48 hours at 38°C (or room temp).

@R-S – Merry Christmas and happy 2026 to you too! I’m glad that you’re entering the new year feeling better and hope it only continues to progress from here with minimal setbacks.

The digestive and gut healing support is ok to continue longer term as you continue to figure out and address the root cause. Eventually these supports won’t be needed.

I’m also glad to hear that you’ve been able to expand your diet. It’s wise to continue very slowly and really listening to your body’s cues. And I’m most excited to hear about the successful addition of rice milk kefir – both in making it and in being able to tolerate it! That’s a huge win because it will help bring better microbiome balance from within. The DAO enzyme is a tool that can be used whenever it’s needed. Many of the symptoms you’re currently concerned about still appear to be histamine-related.

Although thyroid panel came back within clinical range, Free T3 is still suboptimal which could explain your ongoing fatigue, constipation, and hair loss. Free T4 is optimal, therefore there still seems to be sluggish conversion from T4 to T3. Nutrients needed for that are iron, zinc, vitamin A and selenium. If any of these nutrients are low, it would be a good idea to replenish them to help with thyroid conversion and function. If testing zinc, it’s best to also test copper and in RBC form instead of serum (to see what’s in the cell, not in the blood). So ask for RBC zinc and RBC copper. Same for selenium. Here’s a video on how to test thyroid function along with additional tests to consider.

Here’s a handout on the different forms and uses of magnesium.

For vitamin D3 + K2, I personally like the liquid versions by Thorne and Seeking Health.

Looking at your labs, Eosinophils are suboptimally elevated. Eosinophils are produced in the bone marrow and tend to increase in response to allergic inflammation, asthma, histamine-driven processes, or parasitic infections. So given your ongoing histamine-related issues but also, inability to gain weight and generally “feeling off”, it might be worth exploring our Parasite Cleanse program as a next step if you’re feeling strong enough. The program will help you assess if you’re ready for a cleanse.

@toujan – unfortunately, I’m unable to view your results at the moment, and I’ve let the developers know. They will hopefully resolve the matter as soon as possible.

In the meantime, if your doctor prescribed Euthyrox (synthetic form of T4 thyroid hormone), I’m going to assume that your TSH was elevated or clinically high, and T4 was on the lower end or clinically low. That’s because the brain increases TSH production when it senses a need for more T4. It’s a constant feedback loop. You can learn more about this feedback loop here from the Thyroid Balance course.

I’d also encourage you to watch this video on root cause reasons for low T4. If stress was part of the picture for you, then this all by itself can impact the thyroid because cortisol, our main stress hormone, suppresses brain function (hypothalamus/pituitary). Is stress still a big factor? If so, this is where you should focus.

I could see the first page of the labs, which showed a low ferritin (storage form of iron). Iron is needed for T4 to T3 thyroid conversion which is the active thyroid hormone that has effect in the body. If you’re symptomatic, there’s likely suboptimal free T3. So the recommendation to supplement with iron will help correct an imbalance, but from a functional perspective, we always have to ask WHY. Why would your iron be low? Do you consume enough animal proteins? Do you have heavy periods? How are your zinc & copper levels? There are many different root cause reasons why someone’s iron will be low. It’s important to figure that out, otherwise levels will drop again after supplementation is discontinued. Here is a video on possible risk factors for low iron from our Mineral Balance course.

So to answer your question about whether or not there’s another way around taking medication, the answer is 100% yes. But the question is, how symptomatic are you? Sometimes medication can provide stability and give a person time to work on the root cause issues which does take more time.

@R-S

1. Yes, for non-dairy milks like rice milk, it’s important to add a small amount of sugar to help the kefir culture grow. This gives the microbes something to feed on since rice milk is very low in carbohydrates. With dairy milk there’s naturally lactose to feed on. With rice milk, there isn’t much sugar, so adding a bit gives the culture enough fuel to activate and ferment.

2. Yes, your powdered kefir starter is the replacement for Easy Kefir. Both are direct-set powdered kefir culture, just two different brands.

3. Here’s a basic recipe for non-dairy kefir with a direct-set powder starter (like yours):

a. Pour 4 cups (1 quart) rice milk into a clean jar.

b. Add your powdered kefir starter (follow the packet weight… typically one packet for about a quart/4 cups)

c. Add 1 teaspoon raw sugar (since you don’t have Prebio Plus

d. Stir gently until dissolved

e. Cover with a breathable lid (coffee filter, cloth) and let ferment at around room temp (ideally ~22–24 °C / 72–75 °F) for 12–24 hours.

You’ll know it’s done when it smells tangy and the texture is slightly thicker or a bit custardy.

4. Beginners should start low and slow. 1-2 Tbsp once or twice per day with meals for a few days. If it’s well tolerated, build up to 1/4 to 1/2 cup per day or as feels good. It’s easier on digestion when you start small and increase gradually.

5. Yes, rice milk and kefir starter are both dairy-free

Hello @AlFa – may I ask the frequency, quantity and type of alcohol that was consumed please.

Also, was it an addiction? Does the individual need help in quitting? Did they get drunk after drinking? If you can please provide some more information about the state of this person with and without alcohol, it’s all very helpful information.

In the meantime, please read through our “Hangover Remedies” protocol for more information on how to support individuals who consume a lot of alcohol.

Waiting to hear back from you.

Hi @R-S

1. It’s not common but in sensitive individuals, yes it possibly can, especially the more bioavailable form like quercetin phytosome. And the likely reason is because it’s a natural vasodilator which can mildly lower blood pressure. It also stabilizes mast cells so there could be a shift in histamine levels as well. If it’s tolerable, it should settle within a few days. Another option is to lower the dose by half and changing the timing to see if it makes a difference – afternoon/evening instead of the morning. Your body will guide you.

2. Yes, digestive enzyme capsules can be opened and sprinkled on food to gradually increase the dose if a full capsule feels like too much. The only exception is if someone has very sensitive teeth or mouth ulcers – that could cause slight tingling in the mouth. But for most people, it’s perfectly safe and effective. Many of my sensitive clients need to open up capsules and use just tiny sprinkles of all of their supplements (except betaine – never open that up) and gradually build up over time, so you’re on the right track for asking!

@R-S

1) There’s usually no issues with people starting with 150mg. That’s not considered a high dose, and when the body has too much magnesium, the side effect is usually loose stools. The general guideline for replenishing magnesium levels is 200-400mg magnesium glycinate per day for a health adult, but some can go up to 1200mg as needed, if there is no kidney disease. You can read more about the appropriate dosages and different forms here.

2) Magnesium can be taken at any time of the day depending on the form of magnesium and a person’s goal. For example, if someone has constipation, then magnesium citrate taken with dinner or before bed would help with morning bowel movements since it’s more stimulating to the bowels. Magnesium glycinate is calming, so those with anxiety might benefit from taking it during the day, or for someone who needs help winding down at night, they might prefer to take it with dinner or before bed. Magnesium can be taken with or without food, and can be combined with other supplements.

3) Correct, no special order of introduction needed.

4) Based on the last blood test, the copper/zinc ratio was elevated, which can indicate a higher need for zinc. In these cases, practitioners often consider a short period of zinc-only support (30-45 days) before transitioning to a balanced zinc-copper formula for maintenance. As with any single-nutrient supplementation, periodic re-testing (every few months) is important to assess whether to continue, adjust, or stop.

@R-S – you had mentioned in a previous message that you were struggling with a yeast infection or UTI if I recall correctly?

Histamine overload doesn’t directly lead to yeast infection or UTI, but it can irritate the bladder lining which can cause a sense of urgency, burning and pressure. This sensation can mimic UTI symptoms without bacteria overgrowth. So your approach of hydrating more and monitoring is wise before adding in additional support.

@R-S – Zinc and copper are often interpreted together because they compete for absorption and tend to influence each other’s balance in the body. In functional medicine, a commonly referenced copper-to-zinc ratio is roughly 0.7–1.0, which is thought to reflect a more balanced relationship.

Based on your values, dividing copper by zinc gives a ratio of 1.27, which suggests that zinc may be relatively lower in relation to copper, rather than copper being overtly high.

Looking at zinc on its own, many practitioners also consider where it sits within the reference range. From a functional perspective, zinc is often viewed as more optimal when it falls in the upper half (or upper two-thirds) of the range – typically above ~95 ug/dL, depending on the lab.

Your current zinc level of 88.1 ug/dL is within range, but toward the lower half, which may be relevant when interpreted alongside the copper value and overall clinical picture.

Hopefully this helps clarify how these markers are interpreted.

@R-S – DGL and selenium have different purposes, and they can be taken together.

@R-S – regarding the form of B vitamins, you know your body best. Yes, some people can’t tolerate methylated forms or they know they have COMT gene variants, and in those cases hydroxy forms work better.

@R-S – No need to retest selenium if there hasn’t been any dietary changes or supplementation for that specifically. Selenium is suboptimal.

There’s no order when it comes to replenishing minerals, which is why full spectrum combo formulas for thyroid support could be helpful if there are several nutrients that are lacking at once. Many of them includes all of the nutrients needed for T4 to T3 conversion (without iron). You can find different options here from our Thyroid Balance course.

If RBC zinc & copper aren’t available, then consider avoiding zinc/copper rich foods & supplements the day and evening before testing to try to get a true baseline serum value.

To help correct an iron imbalance, please watch this lesson from our Mineral Balance course for tips, tricks and forms of iron to enhance intake and absorption.

For B vitamins, it’s always best to supplement in a complex, and if there’s a need for higher dose of a specific B vitamin, then it’s possible to layer in a single B vitamin in addition to the complex. I really like the Thorne brand of B vitamins because they offer many different variations depending on a person’s need. A good foundational one is Thorne Basic B – a therapeutic dose I usually recommend is 1 capsule per meal (3 meals per day). If they have a higher need for B12, we can add in a B12 lozenge for example by Seeking Health. Then if someone has a higher need for B6 for example, I switch them over to the Thorne B Complex #6 (1 capsule per day) after 30-60 days of being on Basic B. If someone has high stress, then the Thorne Stress B Complex which is higher in B5 is a better option. So it really depends on which B vitamins are needed, and this is where organic acid testing is helpful. These can also be measured in blood, but they are influenced by what is eaten the day before. That’s why testing RBC form is more reliable if it’s available.

When introducing B vitamins, it’s important to go very low and slow at first as they can really fire up detox pathways. I often recommend to my sensitive clients to open up a capsule of the Basic B and sprinkle it over food, and gradually increase the dose every few days if they can.

Hope this helps clarify your questions.

@AlFa I can’t seem to open the last set of lab results. Are they showing from your side?

Hi @R-S – first off, you didn’t do anything wrong and you might still be able to recover it. It’s not uncommon for non-dairy kefir to be a bit trickier, especially with the first batch.

Separation in normal with non-dairy milk but what seems to be the issue is that the powdered starter didn’t activate properly. So either it needs more sugar, or more time.

So if you haven’t discarded it yet, continue fermenting for another 24 hours. I would add 1 more teaspoon of sugar and give it a good stir to make sure the starter is well hydrated and hope that it activates. Rice milk ferments more slowly so hopefully giving it more “food” and time will help salvage this batch.

If you still don’t notice any tang or bubbles or slight yeasty smell, then this batch didn’t activate and it’s best to start fresh.

And to ensure the starter activates, there are 2 ways to go about it:

1. Before adding the starter to the full jar, mix the kefir powder with about 1/4 cup warm (not hot) rice milk and 1 tsp of sugar. Let it sit for 10 mins, then add it to the rest and stir well.

2. A more reliable option to activate the starter is to use a small amount of dairy milk (1/2 cup). Ferment that for 24 hours, reserve 2 Tbsp of that activated culture for rice milk going forward, and discard the rest of the milk. As long as there is no milk allergy, this shouldn’t an issue for those who are dairy-free. And this activation method works very well even if you stay dairy-free after.

@AlFa – thank you for sharing additional details.

It’s important to keep in mind that stopping alcohol cold turkey after 30+ years is a very strong physiological stress on the body, even though it’s the right decision for their health. So it’s not uncommon for symptoms to appear.

We know that alcohol impacts:

-Phase 1 & 2 liver detox-Histamine breakdown (via DAO & HNMT pathways)

-Gut barrier integrity which leads to “leaky gut” and food sensitivities

-Nutrient depletion especially B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and antioxidant reserves

-Immune and inflammatory signaling in the skin

So from a functional perspective, there are likely a few contributing factors at play including detox overload, histamine dysregulation, impaired liver clearance and nutrient depletion.

The skin symptoms you’re describing likely point to histamine-driven or mast-cell mediated reactions which is normal when the liver and gut are overwhelmed. And while antihistamines like Zyrtec and Telfast can reduce symptoms temporarily, they are not addressing the root cause. These types of medications simply block the H1 histamine receptors – they don’t actually reduce the load, histamine production or the underlying trigger, which is why their effects are short-lived.

With regards to helpful labs to consider:

-Full CBC & CMP, especially liver panel (ALT, AST, GGT, Total & Direct bilirubin, LDH)

-Glutathione (often depleted with alcohol consumption)

-hs-CRP-RBC magnesium-RBC zinc

-RBC copper-vitamin B6 (or Xanthurenate organic acid if possible)

-IgE (to see allergy load)

-Plasma histamine or DAO activity (functional test) – but only confirms what we’re already assuming

Regarding the current supplements, some seem to be supportive but the form and dosing matter:

-B1 & magnesium are essential post-alcohol but the dose may actually be too low. For comparison, 1 capsule of Thorne’s Basic B Complex has 110mg of B1, and I usually recommend 3 capsules per day to clients when there is a strong need (but titrated up very slowly as it can push Phase 1 detox). For low magnesium reserves, I often recommend 400mg+ or to bowel tolerance.

-The vitamin B6 form is pyridoxine which needs to be converted to P5P, the bio-available form. And in those with addictions, B6 is often low which affects serotonin production, bile formation and therefore detox. Again, the Basic B Complex for example has the B6 in the P5P form, and overall higher doses of all the B’s.

-Alcohol often affects mitochondrial health, and 30mg of Ubiquinol is also on the low side. Generally 100 to 200mg is what’s shown to be helpful in those in need.

-While zinc is needed, just keep in mind that long-term daily zinc without copper can create a zinc/copper imbalance and which lead to histamine issues. How long has this person been supplementing with 50mg of Zinc?

-L-arginine can aggravate histamine and inflammatory skin reactions in some people

-Antioxidants are present in their protocol, but again they may not be sufficient for the current detox burden

At this stage, the priority is calming the immune system and supporting their own detoxification pathways, not pushing aggressive detox protocols.

So here are things to consider:

1- Reduce histamine in the diet to help manage symptoms – here’s the histamine elimination handout.

2- Consider a DAO enzyme with and without food (as needed). It’s important to know when to take it and when to stop. Here’s a handout to recognize high and low symptoms of histamine. In general, taking it with food helps break down histamine in foods, while taking it away from food helps reduce histamine in the gut. If sleep is disrupted or if symptoms are worse in the morning, taking it before bed may be helpful. Other mast-cell stabilizers include quercetin and bromelain. Here’s a recipe for making onion peel/stinging nettle infusion, and this protocol shares some supplement options for allergy-type symptoms.

3- Support liver drainage gently. Please watch this video on how to support the different detox pathways.

4- Rebuild antioxidant reserves such as glutathione. Please watch this video for more info on the different types.

5- Support and rebuild the gut lining. Please watch this video for foods and supplements that can help.

And ensure they’re having a type 3 or type 4 stool minimum once per day. If not, this needs to be prioritized. Let us know!

If you’re able to get more information on alcohol frequency/quantity, and any other withdrawal symptoms they might be experiencing, and bowel function. This would be helpful.