Diagnosed hypothyroid one month ago.

[Barrister]

Most recent blood tests are as follows :

Vitamin B12 167.0 pmol/L Reference Range 141-489

227.12 ng/L. Ref. Range. 191.8-665

TSH 6 Reference Range 0.27-4.2

Vitamin D 65.00 nmol/L Deficiency:<=50

Insufficiency:>50-<75

Preferred Level:>=75

When I saw GP yesterday he said my VitD was fine but looking at this, I'm not so sure.

These results were done having taken 25ug of Euthyrox for 4 weeks. Just been raised to 50ug.

No other bloods done as yet (apart from HB but that is fine) I mentioned that I had been reading about thyroid antibodies and my doctor said that he didn't think it would be worth testing for these as I already have various auto immune disorders so it would be positive anyway. Also asked about ferritin and B12 - he agreed to the B12 but didn't do any others. I already take 5mg folic acid on 6 days a week to help counter side effects from Methotrexate which I take for arthritis.

I would be grateful for your advice on supplements etc.

Thanks,

Clemmie

[Clutter]

Barrister, TSH is still way too high and I doubt the increase to 50mcg will be sufficient. Have your thryoid bloods retested in 6 weeks as I think you'll need another increase. Most people on medication are confortable when their TSH is just above or below 1.0. I think your GP is right about antibody testing. If you have other autoimmune disease you've probably bought Hashi too. Treatment is the same for non-auto and autoimmune thyroid disease.

Your B12 and vitD are low in range but not deficient so you won't get NHS prescriptions. You will benefit from supplementing 5,000 mcg daily B12 methylcobalamin sublingual lozenges, spray or patches for a month/6 weeks to boost up your B12 and 1-2,000mcg thereafter. 1-2,000iu daily Vitamin D3 softgel caps should be enough to boost your vitD especially if you're able to get a few hours sun on your face and arms each week.

Push for ferritin to be tested as it's not good to supplement without knowing your levels. 70-90 is the optimal range and aids absorption of thyroxine.

[Barrister in reply to Clutter]

Thanks so much, Clutter, I will tell him that I want Ferritin testing when I next see him. Can I buy these supplements anywhere or is there somewhere better than others? I have to be careful in the sun as MTX causes sun sensitivity and as I'm spending months at a time in Saudi, I am smothered in at least Factor 30 whenever I go out. Also, as a woman here, when we are outside of our compound, we have to cover from neck to feet in black abaya! So I am looking to supplement because I am finding it extremely hard to cope with this fatigue. I don't think that I have ever been so tired in my life! Clemmie

[Clutter]

Barrister, definitely get your ferritin checked as it can cause fatigue but your elevated TSH is the likely cause. Unless you are over 60 or have heart disease your doctor is being overcautious with your dosing. 75mcg/100mcg is the full replacement dose usually prescribed for overt hypothyroidism. Perhaps you could retest in 4 weeks which is sufficient time for the increased dose to be working.

The supplements can be bought from good health food stores or online from Amazon. If you buy online please use the pinned TUK Amazon affiliate link.

[Barrister]

No I'm not over 60, just turned 50. I think that he is being so cautious because just before I was diagnosed with the thyroid issue, I was very unwell with colitis so couldn't tolerate even my usual medication. I'm about to return to the UK for a couple of months so won't be seeing him until September now. I will order the supplements now so that they are waiting for me when I get home and I can start them straightaway. I just want to feel better. As everyone on this site does! Sorry to keep moaning, I'm trying to be philosophical but it seems like every month now I'm being hit with something else that's wrong with me! Never mind, I will get there eventually, I'm determined! Thanks again. Clemmie