Is Kratom Safe Long-Term?

Hi, it's Chris again. 

I've used Kratom for over 17 years, including following the "Kratom Lifestyle" (daily use) since 2009.

You can read about "17 Things I've Learned From Taking Kratom for 17 years" and learn about my background.

During the earliest years, there was sometimes a lingering unease... 

"What is Kratom really doing to my health?"

In this blog post, I examine the diagnostic lab results of over a decade of Daily Kratom - including but not limited to - blood pressure, liver health, kidney health, hormones (testosterone and thyroid), blood composition, 2 key inflammation markers, cancer probability, and brain health.

Proof within. 

While I will never get published in a medical journal, I am the long-term [anecdotal] study.

#IAMKRATOM (literally - I am made of Kratom by this point)

Necessary but likely overkill disclaimer:

Kratom is not a dietary supplement or drug and the information below is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease.

There are no medical claims applicable to Kratom in the discussion below.

This post displays my diagnostic bloodwork as a primary marker of my physical health. These results solely represent my personal health and are not meant to suggest that you will experience similar results. At most, my insights only indicate the current health of one individual (me).

Any commentary is strictly my opinion about my personal health markers.

I am not an expert at interpreting medical diagnostics nor a physician.

There are a lot of genetic and ‘lifestyle’ factors that ultimately determine our individual health and longevity.

As with any compound you plan to use, short-term or long-term, please speak to a qualified physician. My doctor knows that I take Kratom on a daily basis. He is supportive. Such doctors exist!

tldr; / spoiler: I have a clean bill of health as issued by my primary care physician on May 2, 2024. All of my markers are optimal, near-optimal or desirable. There are few markers that are slightly 'out of range' of fully optimal. None are "high risk". Commentary within.

OFFICIALLY DETERMINED -

I am a healthy adult male who has used Kratom for over 17 years.

Personal Profile:

• I turned 41 in September 2023 (picture above, age 41)
• I am a Father of 2 (age 3, age 7 months) 
• I have used Kratom since 2005
• I have used Kratom daily since 2009 
• Current serving size: 7-8 grams (I sip on Kratom over 0-4 hours instead of drinking it all at once)
• Current daily consumption: 14 to 32 grams
  
• I use Kratom for patience, concentration, anti-fatigue and occasionally for a recurring back strain that never goes away
• I use Kratom Extracts once in a while
• Activity: I'm a largely sedentary individual (although I hit the gym super hard in my 20s and early 30s and I learned to interpret my own bloodwork)
• Diet: I eat once or twice a day, somewhere in the neighborhood of 2250 to 3250 calories and less than 150 g of carbohydrates. However, to be honest, I mostly eat whatever I want (within healthful parameters) but I lay off the processed foods and sugar. I should be more disciplined but my diet is heavily organic. Basically, I'm not a "health freak" but I don't eat junk.
• Hormone replacement therapy: I have a prescription for Testosterone (Cyp) and Levothyroxine (T4). I have self-administered both hormones to optimize testosterone and metabolic levels since my early 20's (I'm a health and human performance geek). Neither I nor Happy Hippo is affiliated with "Walk in Lab" (mentioned within) but I have used them for diagnostics in the past. 
• Sleep: I sleep about 6 hours a night, generally a little less. I generally push myself to the brink of exhaustion on weekdays because I'm usually in a good mood during the midnight hours and have never-ending work responsibilities. 
• There's a lot that goes into 'health' (lifestyle, diet, physical fitness, mental health, sleep cycles, etc.), and this blog post solely evaluates my quantitative blood work. I might cover some of those topics in future posts though.

Best Family Picture From the Newborn Photo Shoot
(The 3-Year-Old Wasn't Feeling It, LOL)

Unless otherwise noted, the results displayed below are from a blood collection on April 30, 2024, 2 days prior to my routine annual checkup.

Furthermore, my "Kratom Lifestyle" is fueled by Happy Hippo Kratom as you might expect. I've used Happy Hippo Kratom since January 2013. I know what's in it (and what's not in it).

As part of a team, I'm also the final sign-off if we release a new strain. Needless to say, if you are habitually using a cheap source that is full of bacteria or contaminants, expect your body to eventually respond in kind.

Daily Kratom and My Vital Signs

When you go to the doctor, they take your blood pressure and oxygen levels.

Here are my results, all are optimal -

PASS

I'm actually pleased with these results. I've definitely rushed to the doctor's office before (after drinking black coffee) and it threw my initial blood pressure readings off.

I don't have a history of high blood pressure though.

However, back in my "gym bro" days, at 6-2 242 lbs, I bet my resting blood pressure was elevated at times though.

Blood pressure is the 'silent killer'.

I encourage everyone to have a blood pressure cuff at home. Especially if you feel you are under a lot of stress at home, work, or life. 

This is not something to overlook.

Here are the normal ranges -

Daily Kratom and My Liver

We'll begin with the impact of Kratom on my liver.

Kratom and liver toxicity is a long-standing topic.

In my case, my liver function is optimal -

PASS

The first 7 are common markers of liver function as part of a basic "CMP14 Reflex HBG A1c" (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel with Reflex to Hemoglobin A1c) panel. These will likely be part of your annual physical. There are other liver markers, but generally, if these are not out of range, there is little need to further explore liver enzyme levels.

A lot has been made of "Kratom and Liver Toxicity" but I have NOT ONCE had elevated enzymes during my nearly 2 decades of Kratom use. In my early 30's I would use over 100 grams of Kratom a day. Still - never had any issues, personally.

If I had to guess -

There are 2 primary culprits of elevated liver enzymes in Kratom users.

Both involve combining Kratom with other substances for extended periods.

Combining Kratom with Daily NSAIDs

Don't do this. 

If you are using Kratom concurrently with a daily and ongoing dose of Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), think - "Acetaminophen" aka Tylenol or "Ibuprofen" aka Advil you can almost certainly expect elevated liver enzymes. NSAIDs cause liver damage in about 5 out of every 100,000 persons according to the "National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases".

This is difficult for some because NSAIDs are often needed for our Kratom Warriors in physical discomfort. Just make sure you are keeping an eye on your liver markers with your doctor.

I highly recommend N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) to support healthy liver function if you use NSAIDs on a regular basis. NAC is what hospitals give patients to detox from acute Acetaminophen poisoning. Many, including my wife, use NAC as a daily supplement. I will just use NAC if I take NSAIDs.

Combining Kratom with Daily Alcohol

Don't do this either.

Alcohol is another frequent culprit of elevated liver enzymes. 

Many of the people who use Kratom as 'social lubricant' have a propensity to use alcohol for the same purposes. Moreover, alcohol is readily available and socially encouraged.

Other people, Kratom or no Kratom, turn to alcohol to forget about their problems.

Alcohol is absolutely awful for your liver, especially if you drink daily.

Heavy alcoholics consuming 80g of alcohol a day for more than 10 years will develop liver disease at a rate of nearly 100%, according to the "World Journal of Hepatology". Insane.

You shouldn't be regularly drinking alcohol and using Kratom anyway.

Nor should you be drinking heavily by yourself. You know that...

A lot of people use Kratom as an alternative to alcohol - let's stick to that.

As a standalone, at least in my case, Kratom has NEVER caused any liver markers to be out of range. I am not genetically predisposed to any liver dysfunction, however. Everyone is different.

Daily Kratom and My Kidneys

Kratom and kidney health are lesser discussed.

This is ironic because our liver can repair itself, our kidneys cannot. 

Again, optimal results -

PASS*

* With one exception - my blood glucose is slightly elevated (102 mg/dL, should be <100mg/dL). 2% higher than it should be.

I'm going to blame the 8 grams of Kratom + ~1 gram of sugar from the water flavor enhancer (specifically: True Lemon, just get them at Walmart or Target) that I was sipping on 10 minutes before collection. The doctor thinks so too. I should just have bit the bullet and kept the Kratom in water only or been in a fully fasted state. I've used Kratom for 17+ years but still don't like the taste.

My bad - I honestly just forgot about this.

Here are my eAG/MBG ratios that display that I'm non-diabetic and the glucose was likely slightly elevated due to my reasoning above -

PASS

These are the important ratios for diabetes screening. Your blood glucose will go up after you eat or drink anything, Kratom included. The most important thing is that your blood glucose level stabilizes thereafter. 

Like cholesterol and other markers, the ratios are often the most important. 

My triglycerides are optimal as well (a measure of glucose:insulin sensitivity) -

PASS

Additionally, a supplementary urinalysis for a life insurance policy in September 2023 confirms my kidney health is optimal.

With my glucose reading that was 2% higher than optimal (due to not being in a 'fully-fasted' state), I feel somewhat obligated to show that my long-term Kratom use has not compromised my kidney function -

PASS
(100% Fully Fasted State)

Does Kratom Have Calories? (Nutrition Facts)

Not to drag us on a tangent, but I felt this was relevant and some people would want to know. 

Kratom is a tea powder (food) that is made into a drink. 

Anytime you consume a food or drink that has calories (especially carbohydrates) - it affects your blood sugar. Sugary foods trigger the heaviest glycemic response while fibrous foods have a lower glycemic load (a better criteria than glycemic index). 

This is what Happy Hippo found (per 100 grams) of plain-leaf Kratom -

Essentially, there are 367 calories and 72.7 grams of carbohydrates (42.6 grams are from dietary fiber), therefore there are 30.1 grams of net carbohydrates per 100 grams of Kratom. 
[updated on May 19 2024, thank you Kurt]

Therefore, every (1) gram of Kratom has 3.67 calories and 0.42 grams of carbohydrates according to our testing sample.

My usual (8) gram serving of Kratom was somewhere in the ballpark of -

• 29 calories
• 3.4 grams of net carbohydrates

Not a lot, but combined with the water sweetener (10 calories, 3g carbohydrates, 1g via sugar) - there would be a minor impact on blood glucose levels - as reflected in my glucose levels (102 mg/dL). 

Translated to a Nutrition Facts panel, Kratom looks like this -

Caloric Information Based on 1 gram of Happy Hippo Plain-Leaf Kratom

Daily Kratom and My Cardiovascular (Heart) Health 

Let's take a look at Kratom and my heart via cholesterol, triglycerides, all that good stuff.

Again, nearly fully optimal -

PASS* 

* My Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) is 3mg/dL points (3%) higher than optimal by these reference ranges.

Note: an LDL of 103mg/dL is not "high", as the image suggests, it is just 3 points from optimal. John's Hopkins Medicine uses LDL reference ranges <130mg/dL which places me in the appropriate 'near optimal' range.

By either reference range, my LDL at 103mg/dL is 'near optimal'.

Notably, my Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio (2.99) and LDL/HDL ratio (1.717) are  thought to be the most important markers. Both are optimal.

Any Total Cholesterol/HDL below 3.5 is thought to be optimal -

According to iCliniq.com's Cholesterol Calculator, all my lipid ranges are with the optimal to desirable level -

In my non-medical opinion - Kratom has neither a positive or negative affect on my cardiovascular health. Everything looks good. 

Cardiovascular health largely depends on generic factors, lifestyle and dietary (avoid processed foods, sugar and trans-fat) factors.

Me + 3 Year old Riding a Hippo
Hippo Rocker Was a Gift From Our Customer Experience & Happiness Manager (Jamie)

Daily Kratom and My Thyroid Health*
(Critical Commentary If You Are Feeling Sad)

As mentioned at the beginning - I deliberately "manipulate" my hormones to optimize my quality of life and performance (mostly desk job stuff, not physical) and to "defy aging".

* It's called "hormone replacement therapy" and I have done so under a doctor's supervision since I was in my early 20's, long before I ever heard of Kratom.

I do not recommend this for the average person, anyone in their 20's, or anyone not under the care of a board-certified endocrinologist.

Better candidates are men in their 40's and post-menopausal women.

As online "steroid" discussion becomes less censored and more normalized on mainstream digital media platforms - many young adults (men, especially) have convinced themselves that they need more testosterone in their system. This is rarely the case for those under the age of 30 and never the case without examining lifestyle factors. 

My endocrine (hormonal) results are not reflective of someone who is not on "Hormone Replacement Therapy". 

In my case, I take T4 to optimize my metabolism. 

All is well -

PASS

There is nothing special about my thyroid numbers though. I only take a replacement dose (Levothyroxine @ 50mcg/day) so my metabolic levels are very normal - neither fast nor slow.

In my 20's, I would create a much faster Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level so my body could metabolize calories at a super-physiological rate without storing fat.

The result was a rocket ship metabolism.

Sounds nice but the chronic sweating, insane appetite, trips to the bathroom, and acute irritability were the cost. 

So, in hindsight, I don't recommend this either. 

Access to thyroid hormone is not an excuse to eat a bunch of crap.

The only conclusion that I can reasonably draw from my results is -

Kratom doesn't somehow "block" my body's ability to process T4 (I take T4 upon waking with 8 grams of Kratom) and my thyroid is normal at this replacement dose.

I don't regret my decision to use thyroid hormone but it was unnecessary. I'll always have a high-normal or normal metabolism as I get older. So that's nice. 

As for the rest of us - 

If you are overweight, have skin issues (generally dry skin in normal humidity climate), or especially - experience regular bouts of unexplained sadness, fatigue or mind fog - I would HIGHLY recommend getting a "thyroid panel" test. Insurance should cover any of these symptoms. 

I can't tell you how much your emotional well-being will suffer if you have undiagnosed hypothyroidism or sub-optimal TSH levels.

It might be subtle but you will be in a "funk" that you WILL NOT get out of if you have an undiagnosed thyroid condition.

Kratom will barely work and even if it does - you will return to a down state once it wears off.

That hamster wheel will be your life.

My suggestion is to speak to your doctor (for real) and tell them you want a thyroid panel that captures TSH, T3, Free T3, T4, and Free T4.

Most doctors will stick you on an antidepressant without running this CRITICAL panel. 

If you want to get a thyroid panel on your own, just use Walk In Lab for a basic thyroid panel but eventually you will have to get a prescription for thyroid hormone if you actually need it.

Thyroid hormone costs like $3/month but you will need a prescription if you qualify. 

As a former personal trainer and nutritionist - many people are living with low or undesirable thyroid levels and don't know it.

These poor souls habitually self-medicate with caffeine and other stimulants/sedatives that leave them in an even more edgy mood. 

Zombie mode. 

Here is a chart of healthy thyroid levels, as you can see - the reference ranges can vary from medical provider to medical provider -

Does Kratom Cause Hypothyroidism? 

Ask your physician.

In my non-medical opinion - it is HIGHLY unlikely.

Unless Kratom or any botanical compound somehow uniquely impairs the ability to absorb iodine - I don't see how it could have any effect thyroid levels in a positive or negative way. 

Genetic factors (e.g., predisposition to Hashimoto's autoimmune disease), thyroid surgery, radiation therapy, certain medications, iodine deficiency, pituitary gland disorders, or nutritional deficiencies rarely seen in the Western world are the primary causes of hypothyroidism, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Daily Kratom and My Testosterone Levels* 

* Like my thyroid levels, my testosterone is subject to hormone replacement optimization therapy.

Under a doctor's supervision, I can decide whichever testosterone levels (within acceptable ranges) make me feel the best.

I was big into fitness in my 20's and early 30's and elected to incorporate hormone replacement therapy into my life to optimize body composition and emotional health.

These days, I simply run a conservative replacement dose of testosterone.

I prefer to keep my testosterone levels on the lower end (400-550 ng/dL).

I'm naturally a pretty intense person and I just need to work and take care of my family, not run through walls.

Notably, I believe my testosterone therapy counteracts a lot (but not all) of the decreased libido from the Kratom Lifestyle. 

My current schedule is as follows - 

• 100mg Testosterone Cypionate (Test Cyp) every 7-10 days
• 250ius Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) every 3-4 days

Here are my results -

If you are on hormone replacement therapy, testosterone levels will vary based on when your last shot was. 

Reproductively speaking - I have 2 healthy children, both were conceived while I was using Kratom and on hormone replacement therapy.

There is some discussion that Kratom can impact sperm morphology. Wasn't the case for me.

HCG, as intended, preserved my sperm count which would otherwise be significantly lowered by standalone testosterone replacement therapy.

I'm a big fan of HCG.

My first child was conceived when I was on an "HCG Only" protocol. For me, "HCG only" was unnecessary though (combined with long-ester testosterone keeps things more stable). I was able to have kids on my standard protocol above. We are talking about prescription Human Chorionic Gonadotropin from a compound pharmacy, not "HCG drops" or a scam HCG oral over-the-counter product. 

Like with the voluntary thyroid (T4) replacement therapy, I do not actually have hypogonadism (I didn't have low testosterone that required therapy).

I have no family history, as far as I know, of hypothyroidism or hypogonadism. 

Still, there is no point of discontinuing both medications though, I feel great on most days if I get enough sleep.  

Does Kratom Lower Testosterone Levels?

Ask your physician.

Obviously, I'm on hormone replacement therapy and cannot draw personal conclusions on this question.  

In my non-medical opinion - occasional Kratom use most likely will not affect endogenous testosterone production.

Long-term Kratom use, however, theoretically could affect testosterone levels through a condition called "Opioid-induced androgen deficiency" (OPIAD).

Kratom is not an opiate however - it just has an affinity for the opiate receptors. 

Maybe long-term daily use has potential to lower testosterone?

Not so fast -

Academic research at University of Malaysia (Sains) and the University of Florida (Magna cum laude, my alma mater!) says otherwise.

This peer-reviewed study followed 19 adult daily Kratom users who used Kratom multiple times a day for over 2 years and concluded -

* If needed - flip your phone sideways, it says "was not associated with testosterone impairing effects in humans."

Still - Kratom or no Kratom - that's why it's important to get an annual endocrine panel. If your testosterone is low and you've addressed the lifestyle factors - ask your doctor about "hormone replacement therapy". Problem solved.

At the end of the day, in my non-medical opinion -

A huge factor in "Does Long-Term Kratom Use Do [XYZ]?" is simply how much Kratom you take each day. If you take 150 grams of Kratom, you are more likely to have issues than if you take 5 grams of Kratom a day.

Common sense tells us that too. 

The crap in our food supply, the heavy metals in our water, and the pollution in our environments can all create endocrine distribution too. There's A LOT of things that can lower testosterone levels.

Hormonal Fluctuations Can Negatively Affect Kratom Resonation

As a final comment on this subject, in my experience, "hormonal fluctuations" (even within medically acceptable ranges) affect my Kratom experience. If I miss my testosterone shot by 4-5 days, my Kratom resonation will not be as strong as I've let my levels destabilize.

For male Kratom users - it's not about simply having high testosterone levels, it's about keeping your baseline levels as stable as possible.

I have heard similar things for women (estrogen and progesterone can considerably fluctuate) during "their time of the month" and menopause. 

The best thing you can do is keep your hormones as stable as possible while within a medically acceptable range while under the care of a qualified physician.

Don't be surprised if "Kratom stops working" if your hormones are all over the place.

Like my commentary on thyroid function, if you are chronically fatigued, feeling sad, or having trouble maintaining a healthy weight - it is imperative to get an endocrine (hormone screening) panel.

I'd gather that plenty of people are using Kratom to cover up undiagnosed effects of low testosterone/hormonal imbalance.

They don't know what their issue is but Kratom makes them feel a little better.

So many people in their mid 30's are living with low testosterone that is affecting their emotional state - it's not even funny. 

Like hypothyroidism, you will be in a "funk" that you will not get out of if you have hormonal imbalances or deficiencies. 

Talk to your doctor about getting a thyroid and endocrine panel if this describes you.

Like thyroid screening, Walk In Lab has a baseline hormone test for males and another one for women. Like thyroid screening, you will ultimately have to go through your doctor if treatment is necessary. 

By the way - proper physician-directed hormone replacement therapy DOES NOT increase your risk for heart disease according to a recent study published in June 2023 in the "New England Journal of Medicine".

I thought I would put that to bed.

Daily Kratom And My Blood Cell Count (Hemo-Screening)

For the record, I can speak semi-intelligently and from personal experience on the markers above but I have far less background "blood cell counts". 

These counts are super important as they are entry-level detection for blood disorders like Leukemia and certain cancers. I'm just not fluent in this category. 

All results are optimal (these were part of separate blood tests with the proceeding C-Reactive Protein marker) -

PASS

Daily Kratom and Probability of Cancer

Like "Blood Cell Count", I'm less educated on the markers for cancer. 

My brother died of cancer so the disease is close to home.

A common test, sometimes drawn at your annual physical is the "PSA Total".

"Free PSA" screens the probability of getting cancer.

You want to be in the 0.00-4.00 ng/mL range. 

Thankfully, I tested at an optimal 0.612 ng/mL -

PASS

Lol'z Among Otherwise Serious Topics

Daily Kratom and 2 Key Inflammatory Markers
(C-Reactive Protein & Sedimentation Rate)

Just about every chronic disease has some element of "inflammation" - autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus, Lyme disease), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, asthma, allergies, eczema, and cardiovascular (heart) disease, and certain cancers all result in chronic inflammation. 

If something is wrong in or on your body - you will have inflammation. 

It is your body's way of protecting itself.

If you have inflammation, the following 2 markers may be irregular. 

C-Reactive Protein

C-Reactive Protein is a general, yet often gold standard, marker of inflammatory activity in our body.

Not to freak you out but -

If your C-Reactive Protein is high (>3.0 mg/L), you could have a very serious chronic disease.

I want you to know this stuff.

Some people are undoubtedly using Kratom as a 'band-aid' to mask an undiagnosed medical condition. If you suspect this, like the hormonal panels above, tell your physician to test your C-Reactive Protein. 

I had a bout of "Dry Eyes" last year and got my C-Reactive Protein (and CBC and ANC, see "Blood Cell Counts") sampled on July 30, 2023 to make sure nothing else was going on.

Shoutout to my good friend and Gorilla Mind partner, Derek from MorePlatesMoreDates.com for the C-Reactive Protein suggestion. 

All was normal -

PASS - DESIRABLE

 Here are the ranges for C-Reactive Protein -

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (Sed Rate)

"Sed Rate" is another semi-common marker that measures inflammation in the body.

My Sed Rate was optimal -

My non-medical conclusion and that of my primary care physician is -

Presumably, if daily Kratom/anything was killing me from within, I could expect to see either my C-Reactive Protein or Sed Rate to be elevated.

Daily Kratom and My Brain (Alzheimer's Predisposition / Basic Brain MRI)

This isn't blood work but it was relevant for me -

My Mom had early onset Dementia in her mid-50's and passed away last year at the age of 72.

She outlived her diagnosis by nearly a decade but I can't say my brother and I aren't concerned that a similar fate awaits us. 

First -

Genetics. 

APOE4 is the "Alzheimer's Gene" and is a major risk factor in predisposition to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia.

If you have a family history of Alzheimers or Dementia, it is worth getting a screening at the gene "Apolipoprotein E" (APOE4) to see if you have any variants.
(if you even want to know...)

A recent study published on May 6 2024 suggests "almost all" individuals who have 2 copies (homozygotes) of this gene will develop "signs of Alzheimer's". 

Terrifying.

But a proactive approach to preventing cognitive degeneration will be incredibly important. There is a lot you can do under a doctor's supervision if you get out in front of it.

My Mom didn't.

She eventually lost her life and all of the memories that came with it.  

Thankfully, I do not have variants at APOE4 -

Second - 

I got a basic "Brain MRI" screening. 

After my Mom's passing, even with the favorable genetic result above, I decided to get a basic brain scan.

To be honest, I'm not as "sharp" as I was in my 20's.

I used to be a computer.

To an extent, I believe my Kratom use mildly affects memory retention (but so does running businesses, having 2 kids and only getting 5 hours of sleep on most nights).

However, I've noticed that almost all "Kratom side effects" are "serving-size dependent". Memory retention, recall, and cognitive performance seem no different.

When I used upwards of 100 grams a day in my early 30's, I was much more forgetful than at my current 16-32 grams Lifestyle.

Anyway, my MRI suggested my head is in good shape with no irregularities -

PASS

There's a lot in that report above, thankfully I have no cognitive decline.

Here's the gist -

As with blood and autoimmune diseases - I am no expert.

All I can conclude is - I don't have variants at APOE4 and 17+ Years of Kratom has not triggered cognitive decline that can be seen on a brain scan.

I found that information to be highly positive. 

Is Kratom Safe Long-Term? (Pour Conclure)

So there it is -

17+ years of Kratom and 17+ hours to draft this blog post. 

Diagnostically and individually speaking - 

I am confirmed to be a healthy adult male. 

Nearly all my general health markers are optimal.

The markers outside of 'fully optimal' were still within the near-optimal or desirable ranges. 

But it's not about me, it's about you.

Whether you use Kratom daily, occasionally, seldomly or not at all - you should be getting an annual physical that screens these markers. 

ESPECIALLY IF YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH AIN'T RIGHT.

Many people find Kratom - it works reasonably well - but ultimately there is "something else" going on.

While it might seem emotional or psychological, it often can have a physiological cause that can be detected with the basic lab work above. 

Talk to your physician about getting the tests above, particularly the thyroid and hormone panels. That is always where I tell people to start and I'm often onto something. 

There's a big difference in effect when you use Kratom in a healthy state vs. an unhealthy state: Health & Human Performance Optimization vs. Band-Aid.

We are shooting for the former. 

Just so you know - no one at Happy Hippo (including myself) is a licensed healthcare practitioner who is capable or qualified to interpret your blood work.

My commentary is simply my opinion about my personal diagnostics. 

Please speak to your doctor and take care of yourself.

Ideally, you are not living A SINGLE DAY that you don't at least feel normal.

'Health' is an extensive topic and not everything is covered here. If I can get some time - I will cover more issues and concerns felt by those following the Kratom Lifestyle. 

If you made it to the end - thank you for reading and your support.

It means the world to the Happy Hippo family.  

- Chris 

If you found this post useful (or want to suggest or encourage more topics), please comment below.

For legal reasons, we can't publish any comments that mention any medical conditions or Kratom as replacement for prescription drugs however. Kratom has no approved medical uses.

Unfortunately, as of May 2024, our commenting system does not let me/Puddles to reply to specific comments (so I can't directly reply to any questions in the comment section below without it being a total mess).