What to ask the GP..

[Diyena]

I had private testing and am taking the results to the GP on Tuesday. My results

TSH 0.019 (0.27-4.2)

Free Thyroxine 18.82 (12.0-22.0)

FT3 4.23 (3.1-6.8)

Thyroglobulin antibody 343.3 (0 - 115.0)

Peroxidase AB 10.06 (0 - 34.0)

Vitamin B12 1302 (191.0 - 663.0)

Folate 16.92 (4.6 - 18.700)

Vitamin D 74.65 (50.0 - 200.0)

Ferritin 108.6 (13.0 -150.0)

CRP 9.4 (0. - 5.0)

I'm on 100mcg Levo. I saw the GP before I got my own test results as he had done TSH and FT4, I wanted the FT3 done to see if I was converting as my FT3 never rises even though my dose has gone from 25mcg to 100mcg over the 10 months.

My symptoms are leg stiffness/weakness, pain and more recently anxiety. The GP told me to lower my Levo to 75mcg as he felt that was what was causing the anxiety. I decided to stay on 100 until I'd seen my private bloods. I've been on 5.000iu of Vit D3 daily along with magnesium and K2 plus a prescribed monthly 25,000u vial. this has not raised my Vit D at all ( it's actually gone down slightly.) So on Friday I doubled my dose to 10.000iu and I appear to have had almost instant relief from my joints! The stiffness has reduced along with the aches, (not completely normal though).

I am going to request i stay on 100mcg Levo and try to get the GP to prescribe me daily 10,000iu Vit D3, instead of the monthly 25,000.

I know this is long winded but my question is, 'Is it possible the anxiety is due to such a high B12 level ( i was supplementing but stopped after this result) or the low D3?'

If I can raise my VitD3 to between 100 -150 I feel my aches and pains will completely go!

Also is it worth trying to get T3, as my FT3 is not rising or would it be fine to leave as it is?

[bluebug]

Some people report that high B12 levels causes them over stimulation e.g. anxiety.

Also if the doctor is giving you 25,000IU per month of vitamin D3 then you are right requesting they change it to give you 10,000IU or whatever a day. All the reports I've read state that people should ingest vitamin D daily as you wouldn't go out in the sun for one day a month to get all your vitamin D.

However be aware due to prescribing guidelines in different areas your GP may only be allowed to prescribe you 400IU or 800IU vitamin D3 tablets especially due to your blood level. In many areas people are told to go and buy their own D3 supplements once their blood level is over the deficient level (which varies area to area).

You GP will likely have to refer you to an endo to prescribe T3, and the NHS in many areas is refusing new patients T3.

[Diyena in reply to bluebug]

Hi bluebug, yes i guessed as much about the D3 and T3. I wondered if the FT3 i have is an adequate amount, if I manage to rid my symptoms through upping my Vit D3?

[Diyena in reply to bluebug]

Also if it is adequate, would it be worth reducing back to 75mcg, as my results for TSH and T4 were fine, my T3 was only a tad lower.

TSH 0.95

FT417.6

FT3 3.9 (at 50mcg of Levo they were 4.6)

[bluebug]

Wait until you know what you are offered before planning anything.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When taking Vit B12, we should also take Vit B complex - they all need to work together.

Great article on how low Vit D affects Vit B and why

drgominak.com/vitamin-d-hor...

Also, as you have Hashimoto's (and therefore leaky gut,) you may not be absorbing the Vit D very well.

There is an oral mouth spray Vit D, (made by Better You) and I think you can get Vit D drops too. The Vit D is absorbed in mouth, avoiding poor gut uptake issues.

If you decide to try it, suggest you swop over slowly.

Have you considered, or are you on gluten free diet

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

[Diyena in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slowdragon, I was taking B Complex and folic acid too. I stopped all 3 last week. I've only just found out about the Hashimotos from this blood test last week. I am planning on attempting Gluten free (and cutting out sugar) as from tomorrow. Got to try and sort my menus and shopping today! Not sure where to start!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Diyena]

You don't need folic acid and Vit B complex. The Vit B complex contains folate or folic acid anyway.

More important to cut out gluten than sugar. (To start with at least.)

Beware hidden gluten in malt vinegar, soy sauce, beer, larger etc

M&s do good gluten free section and their gf bread is good

[Angel_of_the_North]

Your FT4 is lower in range than your FT4, so T3 might help. But if your GP is already trying to reduce your dose, he'll go ape when your TSH drops even further (if that's even possible). Are you getting enough selenium? That's the other main thing that affects conversion - your B12, folate etc are all fine.

[Diyena in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

I take 200mcg of selenium daily