Confused

[chickenmitch]

I have read many times on here that people should ask for ferritin, folate, vit B12 and vit D to be tested. Can someone tell me please, are these all linked to thyroid problems, or are they things that show same symptoms that need to be ruled out before a thyroid diagnosis is given? Excuse my ignorance but I am confused!!!

[Hidden]

Yes, many people who suffer hypothyroidism may be difficient in any of these you mention and require supplementation.

Someone more knowledgable than me will probably answer you tomorrow but from what I understand we need high levels of all these in order for the T4 to convert into T3 which our cells can then uptake.

[Barb1949]

You do not need these things tested before you are tested for thyroid problems but, if you are hypothyroid all these things are likely to be low as well. In which case you will probably need supplements for VitD, Iron and B12. Of course, this will depend on just how low they are. If you think you have hypothyroidism ask your gp to test for ft4, ft3, folate, ferritin, VitD and B12 at the same time. If he is good he might do a full blood screen at the same time.

[Spanglysplash]

It's a bit of both tbh! B12, iron and Vit d show similar symptoms if you're deficient. But in addition they are always found to be low in almost all hypothyroid patients. It's the whole chicken and egg situation.

In addition they are needed in the conversion of t4 to t3.

In addition to the above selenium and zinc are also important (but be aware zinc will lower cortisol levels)

Vit C and vit E is needed for good function of the adrenals.

[LucyY in reply to Spanglysplash]

What's the danger with zinc and low cortisol levels?

[Spanglysplash in reply to LucyY]

Zinc lowers your cortisol levels so if you already have low cortisol it can drop them further. I have very low cortisol and personally if I take zinc it'll push me into a crash

[MariLiz]

Hi chickenmitch, I began with thyroid and graduated to B12 deficiency. If you look on the Thyroid UK website you will see B12 deficiency and Fibromyalgia listed as associated illnesses. There is quite an overlap of symptoms, but thyroid does seem to lower all vitamins and minerals. I've also added Fibromyalgia now, so a full house!! All make you feel rubbish. MariLiz