Hashi's and Vitamin A: I have been trying to find... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,246 members166,490 posts

Hashi's and Vitamin A

8 Replies

I have been trying to find an answer as to why my tongue has furrows (or creases) in it. They have been there for the past 2 years and an increase in levo and the addition of T3, Vit D and B12 have made no difference, although I feel better in myself, but not right.

I found a website which indicated that this could be a Vitamin A deficiency as thyroid hormones are required to process it and Vitamin A is often found in people with Hashi's.

Does anyone know, or have experience of the same thing?

Read more about...
8 Replies
PinkNinja profile image
PinkNinja

You are right about vitamin A. It is very important for good thyroid health but if you have an underactive thyroid through whatever means (e.g. Hashimoto's) your body isn't able to make vitamin A from the carotenes in vegetables so, unless you are eating a lot of vitamin A rich foods, you are likely to be deficient.

There is more information about vitamins and minerals in thyroid disease on the main Thyroid UK website here

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

I hope that helps

Carolyn x

in reply toPinkNinja

Thank you Carolyn, strangely it is not a Vitamin I had given much thought to and had never connected a deficiency to Hashi's (which I have). I suppose I eat an average amount of vitamin A foods, but will have to look into this further. Are there Vitamin A tests do you know, and are they reliable?

Thanks again, much appreciated

Jan x

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac in reply toPinkNinja

Yet another thing I didn't know about this bloody condition!! I have shocking night vision (I have refused to ever drive in the dark again unless it's a matter of life or death) so I think some supplements may be in order...

in reply toinfomaniac

It does seem never ending, just when you think you have is sussed up comes something else. Hope supplements make a difference to your night vision but I think you need to go carefully as they are fat soluble and don't leave the body easily. My reading has indicated a dose of around 7-800 mcgs daily but with a deficiency it looks as if it might have to be upped for a bit until the level becomes normal. But this is only what I have read so don't know what to do myself unless I have my levels checked first. Don't think I will get that one past my GP! she doesn't believe that hashi's brings on any Vit/mineral deficiencies.

beaton profile image
beaton

This is a yes and no answer. It's really interesting that Vit.A could be the answer to tongue furrows,I for one hope it is. Could lack of VitA also explain some of the skin issues us thyroid sufferers have? My only worry is overdosing. Vit.A is toxic to the liver,another area some of us have a problem with.x

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac in reply tobeaton

I'm thinking of maybe just taking it on a day on day off basis. Not sure how safe that is so will be happy to be put in my place if anyone thinks it won't work!

beaton profile image
beaton in reply toinfomaniac

I hope it works,keep us posted.x

poing profile image
poing

I have read something about vitamin A being used to produce TSH... might explain why it becomes low in people with Hashi's.

Vitamin A is a complicated beast ... I think you need good levels of iron, zinc and other things in order to transport vitamin A to where it's needed. It's something to do with retinol binding proteins.

I have tongue furrows too... and have been working my way though all kinds of possible deficiencies and combinations of deficiencies to try to get to the bottom of things. Jury's still out on what the cause actually is.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Decent Multi-Vitamin for Hashi's

since finding out I have gone hyper, I haven't been eating enough or as well as I usually do due...
Jefner profile image

Vitamin B12, Supplementation and Vitamin C

I have just been reading the USA Medline paper on B12. For all those who do or are thinking about...
helvella profile image
Administrator

Vitamin A with levothyroxine

Has anyone else here found the need to supplement with vitamin A whilst titrating up on...
Oobie_ profile image

Vitamin D Recommendations and COVID-19

There are conflicting views regarding vitamin D levels. I read up on vitamin D in the 1990s, so I...
jimh111 profile image

An interesting fact about vitamin A and thyroid funtion.

An extract:-Vitamin A: This all-important vitamin is a catalyst on which innumerable biochemical...
langdocienne profile image

Moderation team

See all
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.