Overview

Chromium is an essential trace mineral. There are two forms: trivalent chromium, which is safe for humans, and hexavalent chromium, which is a toxin.

Trivalent chromium is found in foods and supplements. It might help keep blood sugar levels normal by improving the way the body uses insulin.

People use chromium for chromium deficiency. It is also used for diabetes, high cholesterol, athletic performance, bipolar disorder, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

This topic only covers trivalent chromium, not hexavalent chromium.

Uses & Effectiveness

Likely Effective for

  • Chromium deficiency. Taking chromium by mouth is effective for preventing chromium deficiency.

Possibly Effective for

  • Diabetes. Taking chromium by mouth might improve blood sugar control in some people with type 2 diabetes. Higher chromium doses seem to work better than lower doses. It's not clear if it helps prevent diabetes or improve lipids or blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes.

Possibly Ineffective for

  • High blood pressure. Taking chromium by mouth does not appear to lower blood pressure.
  • Prediabetes. Taking chromium by mouth doesn't help control blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes.
  • Schizophrenia. Taking chromium by mouth doesn't affect weight or mental health in people with schizophrenia.
There is interest in using chromium for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Chromium is likely safe when used short-term. Up to 1000 mcg of chromium daily has been used safely for up to 6 months. When taken for longer periods of time, chromium is possibly safe. Chromium has been used safely in doses of 200-1000 mcg daily for up to 2 years.

Some people experience side effects such as stomach upset, headaches, insomnia, and mood changes. High doses have been linked to more serious side effects including liver or kidney damage.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Chromium is likely safe when used short-term. Up to 1000 mcg of chromium daily has been used safely for up to 6 months. When taken for longer periods of time, chromium is possibly safe. Chromium has been used safely in doses of 200-1000 mcg daily for up to 2 years.

Some people experience side effects such as stomach upset, headaches, insomnia, and mood changes. High doses have been linked to more serious side effects including liver or kidney damage.
Pregnancy: Chromium is likely safe when taken by mouth in amounts that do not exceed adequate intake (AI) levels. The AI for those 14-18 years old is 28 mcg daily. For those 19-50 years old, it is 30 mcg daily. Chromium is possibly safe to use in amounts higher than the AI levels while pregnant. But don't take chromium supplements during pregnancy unless advised to do so by a healthcare provider.

Breast-feeding: Chromium is likely safe when taken by mouth in amounts that do not exceed AI levels. The AI for those 14-18 years old is 44 mcg daily. For those 19-50 years old, it is 45 mcg daily. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking higher amounts of chromium is safe when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with amounts that do not exceed the AI.

Children: Chromium is likely safe when taken by mouth in amounts that don't exceed AI levels. For those 0-6 months old, it is 0.2 mcg; for those 7-12 months old, it is 5.5 mcg; for those 1-3 years old, it is 11 mcg; for those 4-8 years old, it is 15 mcg. For males 9-13 years old, it is 25 mcg; for males 14-18 years old, it is 35 mcg. For females 9-13 years old, it is 21 mcg; for females 14-18 years old, it is 24 mcg. Taking chromium in amounts above the AI level is possibly safe for most children.

Behavioral or psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia: Chromium might affect brain chemistry and might make behavioral or psychiatric conditions worse.

Chromate/leather contact allergy: Chromium supplements can cause allergic reactions in people with chromate or leather contact allergy. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and scaling of the skin.

Kidney disease: Chromium supplements might cause kidney damage. Don't take chromium supplements if you have kidney disease.

Liver disease: Chromium supplements might cause liver damage. Don't take chromium supplements if you have liver disease.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Insulin interacts with CHROMIUM

    Chromium might increase how well insulin works. Taking chromium along with insulin might cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your insulin might need to be changed.

  • Levothyroxine (Synthroid, others) interacts with CHROMIUM

    Taking chromium with levothyroxine might decrease how much levothyroxine the body absorbs. This might make levothyroxine less effective. To help avoid this interaction, levothyroxine should be taken 30 minutes before or 3-4 hours after taking chromium.

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CHROMIUM

    Chromium might lower blood sugar levels. Taking chromium along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) interacts with CHROMIUM

    NSAIDs might increase chromium levels in the body and increase the risk of adverse effects. Avoid taking chromium supplements and NSAIDs at the same time.

  • Aspirin interacts with CHROMIUM

    Aspirin might increase how much chromium the body absorbs. Taking aspirin with chromium might increase the effects and side effects of chromium.

Dosing

Chromium is an essential trace mineral. It's recommended that males 19-50 years old consume 35 mcg daily, and those 51 years and older consume 30 mcg daily. For females, it's recommended that those 19-50 years old consume 25 mcg daily, and those 51 years and older consume 20 mcg daily. Recommended amounts for children depend on age. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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