Hereditary

[lal2502]

Hi I have heard that thyroid problems can be hereditary. Me, my mother and my sister all suffer from an underactive thyroid and I am B12 deficient too. My 17 year old daughter is showing symptoms of both disorders (both very similar). She is also a vegetarian and fussy eater. I worry she may be both or indeed either.

I haven't mentioned it to her but was wondering if it's worth her going to GP about it to ask.

Does anybody have any advice please?

Thanks Lal xx

[Clutter]

Lal, there is a hereditary connection with hypothyroidism and also pernicious anaemia, if that is the reason for your B12 deficiency. If your daughter is symptomatic ask her GP to do a thyroid panel and to also test for ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate. Post your results with the lab ref ranges (the figures in brackets after your results) in a new question and members will advise whether supplementation is required.

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

If your daughter is B12 deficient she should be tested for pernicious anaemia antibodies before supplementing.

Vegetarians can't obtain B12 from plant foods, it is only available from meat and fish. If she isn't B12 deficient she will need to supplement methylcobalamin sublingual lozenges, spray or patches to make up for her dietary deficiency.

b12d.org/b12-signs-symptoms...

[lal2502 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter for that info. We are going to make an appointment for her in next few days. Thanks for advice too think better head to shops for supplements too.

Lal xx

[Clutter in reply to lal2502]

Lal, don't supplement B12 and folate before having the blood tests, or you'll skew the results.

[Starla in reply to Clutter]

Clutter, does that mean that for any blood test for thyroid we are not supposed to have taken B12 or folate? I have some multivitamins that I bought and I'm stuck on whether I should be taking them or not because I have been more than halfway through on the T4. So for me to start the mutlvitamins now would mean I could potentially skew the thyroid results?

[Clutter in reply to Starla]

No, Starla, supplementing B12 and folate won't affect your thyroid blood tests. I was advising Lal's daughter not to supplement B12 and folate prior to B12 and folate blood tests.

[Starla in reply to Clutter]

Ah, ok. I misunderstood. Apologies.

[lal2502]

Ah makes sense thanks Clutter xx