Vitamins: In the last month I've come off anti ds... - Thyroid UK

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Clmartin80 profile image
20 Replies

In the last month I've come off anti ds and contraception (opting for a copper coil)

I've also been to a netrisonalist and she suggested to take magnesium, zinc, meta folate and b12.

I'm on 50mg of levo.

Do these supplements sound good for hypo and any suggestion for anything else?

Anything for pms would be great more on the mood swing side

Thanks

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Clmartin80 profile image
Clmartin80
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20 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Yes, the supplements she suggests sounds good but always take them 4 hours after levothyroxine.

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

When you are on optimum medication your mood swings may be rectified.

Clmartin80 profile image
Clmartin80 in reply to shaws

I take my levo in the evening about 10. I was told to take magnesium and the zinc at bedtime "/

I find it hard to take levo having to leave 4hrs before or after it "/

Just like now I've just a packet ofcrisps and chocolate "/

Any suggestion would be great.

I've been on 50mg of levo for 6weeks now, will take a while for pms to level out, I feel like I'm a monster for 2 weeks of the month "/

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Clmartin80

It is a different matter if you take levo at bedtime, then you have to leave two hours after eating before taking it. Some foods interfere with the uptake of levo. You take your levo with one glass of water.

You can take your supplements at lunchtime or around 6 p.m. as usually you have to take them with food.

You may find your supplements help with pmt's as its not pleasant either to have them, or to bear the brunt of them.

That's why many take levo on wakening and leaving about 1 hour before breakfast. You can then eat whenever you want and take the supplements around lunchtime or dinnertime.

Some feel better with a.m. dose and some p.m. dose, it all depends - it is trial and error.

Clmartin80 profile image
Clmartin80 in reply to shaws

I was taking in the morning but can't wait an hour for tea/coffee or food. That's why I changed it to evening. I'm pretty new to all this. Dr only started me on levo in March and they didn't even want to treat me as they said I was boarderline.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Clmartin80

This is an excerpt and we have to read and learn as much as we can in order to get better. At least your GP has began you on meds instead of waiting till you deteriorate.

Ensure that you are taking your levothyroxine with water, on an empty stomach. Wait for at least 30 minutes before you eat.

Ensure that you do not take calcium carbonate (found in calcium and other supplements and antacids) within four hours of your levothyroxine as this affects absorption.

Ensure that you do not take iron supplements within two hours of your levothyroxine.

Other drugs that have been reported to reduce levothyroxine absorption include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), raloxifene (Evista) and Orlistat/Alli (Xenical) so be aware that it may be better to take these drugs away from your levothyroxine.

Coffee can also interfere with absorption of T4 so do not take your levothyroxine at the same time as drinking a cup of coffee – it’s probably best to wait at least an hour before you drink coffee.

Try taking your levothyroxine at bedtime as there was a small study that showed this benefited some patients.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

Lettie999 profile image
Lettie999

I too have hypothyroidism and this led to the most awful pmd I have ever suffered. I read that being hypothyroidism can cause oestrogen levels to go out of

control, so I started taking cerazette a pregesterone only contraceptive. It massively reduced my pmd and pms and benefited my hypo too. I don't know if your coil is pregesterone only ?

Clmartin80 profile image
Clmartin80 in reply to Lettie999

The copper coil has no hormones in it, wanted to try everything natural for a change, I've been in the some sort of contraceptive since I was 15 (now 33) that's pills, injection, implant and patch! Drs are now fussing because if my age and because I smoke (I know I need to give up)

I'm going to family planning in a couple of weeks to discuss options

Lettie999 profile image
Lettie999 in reply to Clmartin80

Pregesterone does not cause blood clots I believe, it's the oestrogen that causes this problem. I can only speak from my experience and say that hormone free did not work for me, it allowed my my oestrogen levels to go crazy, I was almost suicidal the week before my period with other symptoms too yuck for polite company. Let me know how you get on as if you find something that works I would be willing to give it a go x

Chippysue profile image
Chippysue

Did you have your B12 tested?

And your vitamin D?

Vitamin b complex ideal.

Have you had sex hormones tested?

You need to have dose increases until your free t4 is at the top of the lab range

Clmartin80 profile image
Clmartin80 in reply to Chippysue

B12 was tested and dr said it was normal but it is at the bottom of normal.

Vit D not tested

What's sex hormone test for??

T4 was 14 TSH 5.09

Chippysue profile image
Chippysue in reply to Clmartin80

You need to have your vitamin D tested.

B12 is very important, you need injections if too low. It is important that if you do supplement that you take sublingual b12, it is pointless taking B12 that you swallow as absorbing it from the stomach is the issue.

Sex hormones are your progesterone, estrogen, testosterone.

Sue

thyroiduk.org

Clmartin80 profile image
Clmartin80 in reply to Chippysue

Dr won't give vit b12 injection as there in their 'range', I use solgar b12 liquid. I did ask about vit d before I was diagnosed but she said NHS won't do it.

I'll write this all down and ask next time I go.

Vinylrecords profile image
Vinylrecords in reply to Chippysue

Hi Suze,

You are absolutely correct. After reading the brochure regarding Vit D on this site and being pushed to take D for years (which I did) I realized since the skin cancer issue there are a lot of us with seriously low levels. I just started my 17 year old daughter on 400 IU's. Our family has bone issues and we are very, very, fair complected. I did not know that we really do not have enough food sources for this vitamin. Only the sun! It is now winter where I live and since Vitamin D is actually a hormone it is a critical nutrient. The vast recommendations that are given in the brochure is proof that the medical profession does not know where to dose at this time and the studies will not be complete until around 2017. Who can really wait three years for a definitive answer? If they (medical doctors) refuse to test I think a small dose of 400 IU's would not hurt. And again, this is just my humble opinion. Your advice is very sound.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Vinylrecords

Highly recommend this post and the booklet link about vitamin D:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Rod

Vinylrecords profile image
Vinylrecords in reply to helvella

Hi Rod,

I am new to HealthUnlocked and have joined other blogging sites in the past that were not as informative. I have spent time reading the posts and especially the vitamin D booklet link. I thought I knew a sufficient amount regarding vitamin D. I found out I knew almost nothing after reading this very informative link. The booklet link was a huge eye opener for me. I very seldom recommend information to others but I believe it is critical for every woman and man to know what this vitamin (hormone) does. Funny, how our medical profession just recently came up with the test for vitamin D which is so crucial to our health.

My opinion was to start my 17 year old daughter on this because of our bone issues and pain, etc. I started her on 400 IU's and I know it can't hurt. I will titrate her up as I check with her leg pains. Had I known this I probably would not have needed two surgeries to correct the bones in my spine. This vitamin is very intriguing. Glad to be here.

Dolores

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Vinylrecords

Definitely thanks to RedApple for finding and posting that!

It is also good to see a bit of "we don't know everything" in there - rather than the "do exactly what we say because we know we are right". Every day I realise quite how much less I know than I thought I knew the day before... :-)

Rod

pam13 profile image
pam13

Just want to share.. I had copper coil for 17 years.. it was a great form of contraception. . However when I became poorly I researched everything. . And found there is such a thing as copper toxicity. . Which some people say the coil could cause.. I don't know if this is true.. but you may want to do some research for yourself :) I do know when I removed mine I felt awful for about two weeks.. lightheaded.. it could be coincidence though :)

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North

Just be aware that when you eventually have your coil removed, it seriously messes up your metabolism as your body gets used to high levels of copper, which suddenly disappear (but that's in the future). Can also cause very bad cramps. It's *not* natural at all. I had one for years and my metabolism problems started after it was removed.

Clmartin80 profile image
Clmartin80 in reply to Angel_of_the_North

I could go for the coil that has a little hormone in it, I'll do some research tonight

HEA72 profile image
HEA72

I've personally found also taking EPA fish oil very helpful for depression low mood etc (product brand name: igennus), as well as the other supplements you've listed. vitamin B6 is also helpful for PMS. Try the P5P version of B6 for better absorbancy and utilisation of the vitamin in the body :-)

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