Oh to not feel tired ...

[Simba01]

Was diagnosed with underactive thyroid around 15 years ago. Been on 100mcg of levothyroxine for quite a while, but started to go downhill again. After a bit of a battle, was diagnosed with PA last year - had 1 B12 injection per week for six weeks and now have them every 12 weeks. B12 levels are now "high", but still feeling knackered. I wasn't aware, but during blood tests last September they also tested my vitamin D which was 59 - range was 50 to 150 (this was after a nine week break over the summer, so wasn't stuck in an office). Again, blood tests at the end of January and vitamin D was tested again - the level was 16, but I wasn't informed of this. It was only at my last B12 injection that the nurse asked how I was getting on re vitamin D and so I told her I didn't know I'd been tested! Made an appointment with the doctor and she said that January levels were low, but that couldn't rely on them now as that was during the winter when levels are lower - so currently waiting for the results of another blood test before anything will happen.

Sorry, long-winded, but basically can a lack of Vit D make me feel so knackered/brain fog/no enthusiasm for doing things (which is frustrating - hate feeling like that). Also, if I am prescribed any treatment, does it really make a difference? Think I'm looking for a little bit of hope that I could, potentially, start feeling better again.

In addition, TSH was 3.81 - am hoping I can maybe persuade doc to increase my levo dose a bit?

Thanks in advance for any advice

[Marz]

On Thyroid treatment you will feel better with a TSH of 1 or below. So yes an increase would be helpful. What are your levels of FT4 and FT3 ? If your GP will not test then you could have them done privately through Thyroid UK - with Blue Horizon. What dose are you on ? Do you have Thyroid anti-bodies ??

I think your symptoms are a combination of things - certainly under-treatment of the thyroid - maybe you need more than 12 weekly B12 injections - and yes VitD too needs to be optimal. So treatment should help you to feel better. VitD is not expensive to buy yourself and treat. A good level to take would be around 5000 IU's daily. Also take VitK2-MK7 - as VitD improves the uptake of calcium from foods - and the K2 directs it away from the arteries into the bones and teeth. How are your levels of Ferritin and Folate ??

Check out the symptoms of VitD on vitamindcouncil.org and all the conditions linked to low D. You can also sign up for a Newsletter.

Hope you soon feel better and receive the treatment you deserve.

[PAS-admin Partner]

Absolutely the D defieciency can make you feel like that! I don't know how long you have to wait for the results but you could always take some already. If your levels only rise to 59 during a summer, you might need it year round.

As for thyroid, marz has already answered that, you're still hypo.

Oh and try and get more B12 of course. Ridiculous three month rule. See Pinned Posts for some info for your doc or if you are a member, give our office a call (next week, we're on holiday)