Vitamin testing

[misslissa]

Hi, any recommendations for vitamin and mineral testing? I'd like quite a range doing like Vit a, b's, c, e, magnesium, selenium,zinc etc.

[Clutter]

Misslissa,

I recommend ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate.  

[misslissa in reply to Clutter]

Ok, so the recommendations on thyroid uk, there is a lot of vitamin and mineral advice, how would you go about it? Supplement everything suggested without being tested? 

[Clutter in reply to misslissa]

Misslissa,

I don't recommend supplementing iron, vitD, calcium, B12 and folate without testing to guide whether there is any need to supplement, or if there is, how much to supplement.

I supplement vitamin D and B12 to maintain levels after previous low/deficient levels.   I  haven't had tests but I supplement vitC, magnesium, zinc and B Complex.

I hate swallowing handfuls of tablets and capsules so I'm not inclined to take every vitamin recommended on the TUK list or any other list unless I know (from tests) there are deficiencies which need addressing.

In the long run it may work out less expensive to have comprehensive vitamin and mineral testing and only supplement those which are suboptimal.

[misslissa in reply to Clutter]

That was kind of what I was thinking, get tested so I cherry pick exactly what I need. My Vit d was 64 last month which is actually pretty impressive coming out of winter. Would you supplement that at all to get closer to 80 or let the summer do its work?

What about selenium? I've read it's pretty crucial for t3 conversion? Or am I reading wrong, I'm still pretty new to this. 

Guessing a good quality multi isn't good enough then??

[Clutter in reply to misslissa]

Misslissa,

I'd supplement D3 1,000iu for a couple of months and then leave off if you get plenty of sun.  Then supplement 2,500iu Oct-April to maintain summer levels.

100-200mcg selenium is good thyroid support and will aid conversion but isn't essential.

I think multi-vits are a waste of money.  There's not enough of anything to correct low levels and some contain iron and calcium together which means uptake won't be good.

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[bluebug]

The tests Clutter mentioned are the only ones that are currently recommended as there are some issues with ones to measure zinc and magnesium. 

Also if you do need to supplement due to the way vitamins and minerals work you will be supplementing in groups e.g. to raise folate you would supplement all B group vitamins.