Results help, vitamin D and ferritin..

[TEGS]

Hi everyone.. I seem to have been abandoned by my endocrinologist.. They have forgotten to review me and given that I am still symptomatic, I'm not a happy bunny.. So I've had new labs done (results on photo)

So I've had thyroiditis/Hashis for a while now, only diagnosed because I got private labs done which showed elevated TGa.. They put me on 50mcg of Levo and then told me I was fine and that they'd call me in again in 6 months (this was a year ago!!)

Meanwhile, I'm gaining weight, my hair is falling out, joints are aching, heart rate is high, blood pressure is through the floor.

I think I'm not converting properly (when first diagnosed, T4 was mega high and T3 was just normal) and latest labs have revealed low Vit D and I think my ferritin is too low as well.

I've tried everything to raise my ferritin but I don't seem to be able to get it above where it is now.. Any ideas?

And does anyone think I should try NDT or adding a bit of T3 to the mix or will sorting vit D make conversion better?

I want to make a plan and then write a formal letter to the Endo department pointing out to them that I've fallen through their cavernous cracks!

Any advice more welcome than you know.

Love to all

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

TEGS What have you done to try to get your ferritin up? If you've been taking an iron supplement, have you been taking it with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation? Ferritin needs to be at least 70 to half way through range so that thyroid hormone can work properly.

Your Vit D is far too low, aim for at least 100+. You should supplement with D3, I would suggest a loading dose to start with, about 20,000iu daily for 2-3 weeks, then drop down to 5,000iu daily. Retest after about 4 months and when you get to 100-150 you can go on to a maintenance dose of 2,500iu daily during the winter. Also take K2-MK7. Vit D aids the absorption of calcium and K2 directs it to bones and teeth rather than arteries and soft tissues. It's also recommended to supplement with magnesiumwhen taking Vit D, most of us need it anyway.

Your B12 is on the right side of 500 but not good enough. The Pernicious Anaemia Society recommends 1000. You can supplement with Solgar or Jarrows sublingual methylcobalamin lozenges which you dissolve under the tongue for absorption directly into the bloodstream thereby bypassing the digestive system. You will probably be fine with 1000mcg daily.

When taking B12 we should take a B complex to balance the B Vits. Be sure to get one with methylfolate rather than folic acid. Folic acid is synthetic and needs to be converted by your body to folate.

Thorne Basic B or Jarrows B Right both contain 400mcg methylfolate which will bring your folate level up. It should be at least half way through the range so 26+.

You're not converting T4 to T3 very well but that might improve once all your vits and mins are at optimal levels. Also, because you have Hashi's, have you gone completely gluten free? This helps reduce the antibody attacks (some people also need to be dairy free). Supplementing with selenium also helps reduce antibody attacks and it also aids conversion.

You could give the vitamins and minerals time to get up to optimal levels, go gluten free and supplement selenium. Then look again at your conversion and see whether NDT or the addition of T3 is needed.

[greygoose]

Actually, your problem is you haven't got enough to convert, there. 50 is just a starter dose. You should have been tested after six weeks and given an increase. You really should try increasing your dose before you start worrying about your conversion.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Oh yes, I agree with greygoose . I missed that bit about your dose (thinking about what to have for tea ). You should see your GP and discuss a rise in your Levo.

[TEGS]

Thank you both.. I would definitely try to get an increase, though I tried a year ago (when my NHS labs were slightly worse, TSH higher and T4 lower, no T3 done as per protocol) and the Endo just said 'computer says no' slated me down as cured and sent me on my way despite the symptoms.. Can you get T4 anywhere without a script?

Hope you had a great tea Susie 😀

Thanks so much for the replies.

[bluebug in reply to TEGS]

Show your doctor your vitamin D result as well. (You actually need to take a photocopy to give to the doctor in case they take the results off you. ) Depending on your location in the country they will either help you by prescribing high dose vitamin D or tell you to buy your own vitamin D. Though you will still get it on your notes that you have low levels.

Also taking 20,000IU per day is not recommended in case you have undiagnosed kidney, heart or other problems. It is recommended you take 10,000IU per day maximum as this is the maximum dose that it is recognised by the vitamin D council and other researchers e.g. Harvard school of nutrition that people don't have side effects on. So you can actually take 10,000IU per day for 4-6 weeks rather than 20,000IU per day for 2-3 weeks.

Regardless make sure you take vitamin K2 and magnesium while taking the high dose.

[Josiesmum]

These symptoms could be caused by gluten sensitivity:

glutenfreesociety.org/glute...