Which supplements?: Can you pls advise me on the... - Thyroid UK

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Which supplements?

MissFG profile image
6 Replies

Can you pls advise me on the best supplements to take for good overall support for autoimmune diseases I have Hypo & Connective Tissue/Lupus.

I feel it could be a bottomless pit when buying all the various supplements so just looking for the key ones to take.

At the moment I have but don't always take them all regularly:

D3 10000 iu

B12 5000mg Methyl

CO-Q10

Magnesium I got too high a pill - 250mg which made me ill and couldn't sleep so if I cut them down to 1/4 would this help?

Selenium but last time I took them I had a flare of thyroiditis so darent risk taking them again although could be a coincidence?

Ferrous Sulphate 200mcg

Senakot

Should I buy Vitamin C and MK?

I'm also on the pill, propranolol & hydroxychloroquine

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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

MissFG Have you had any vitamin and mineral tests done? If so what were the results. Some supplements are good generally for us Hypo, eg Vit C, selenium, Q10. Taking some supplements when not needed can cause problems eg iron, calcium, Vit D, iodine.

Your dose of Vit D - 10,000iu is massive and usually only used as a loading dose for a few weeks when level is severely deficient. What was your level when tested and how long have you been on this dose? When taking D3 we need K2-MK7 and magnesium.

The magnesium you are taking might not be right for you, there are several forms naturalnews.com/046401_magn... so you could see if there is one that might suit you best. Then there are magnesium oils and creams, or you could take epsom salt baths.

Do you take D3 and magnesium four hours away from thyroid meds?

Your B12 is a big dose as well, what was your level when tested, how long have you been taking it, are you also taking a B Complex to balance all the B vits?

What form of Selenium were you taking, was it L-selenomethionine?

What was your ferritin level when tested or were you diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia to be taking Ferrous Sulphate? Iron tablets can cause constipation so each tablet should be taken with 1000mg Vit C to help avoid this problem.

Do you take your Ferrous Sulphate four hours away from thyroid meds and two hours away from any other supplements and medication?

Regular/long term use of stimulant laxatives like Senokot isn't a good idea, they make your bowel lazy and unlikely to work well on their own. Increased intake of fibre, or fibre based supplements to bulk up stools are better.

MissFG profile image
MissFG in reply to SeasideSusie

Thanks!

I always leave 4 hours after thyroid meds for any medication / supplements.

I've just sourced the best supplements didn't realise some would be too high. I don't take them all as I'm confused as to what I should take or need which is why I'm asking.

I take the B12 as I've always been low in range although this test I had been supplementing so was slightly higher but only with a multivitamin at the time: 409 (197-771) and D3 for over a 2 months now. Vit D was 25 (OH) Vit D 125.2 nmol/L but wasn't sure what that meant? Is this ok?

Magnesium I was told was way too strong from friends and needs to be increased over a period of time hence why I couldn't sleep so stopped taking them. I'm asking if I can cut them up and take a 1/4 of a pill? I tried the oil on the soles of my feet at night but it made the skin really thick was strange so I stopped.

I've always been low in ferritin but in my last test my folate was low in range 5.9 (4.6-18.7) and ferritin was mid range 107 (15-150). I don't take these at present I just had them prescribed previously. Even on T3 constipation is an issue but i have Lupus which I've only just got treatment for so senakot helps even though I don't like taking it. I take it maybe once a week twice at the list to get things moving as I've tried changes in my diet. Ive found only alcohol gets things moving!

MissFG profile image
MissFG in reply to SeasideSusie

What if I just took a multivitamin would this still help?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to MissFG

MissFG Multivitamins aren't a good idea, they generally contain not enough of anything to make a difference, and frequently use the cheapest and wrong form of ingredients. They can also include things we shouldn't supplement unless tested and known to be deficient.

**

B12 at 409 needs supplementing. Anything under 500 can cause neurological problems. The recommended level is very top of range, even 900-1000. You could continue with your 5000mcg sublingual methylcobalamin but you need to take it daily to get your level up. One bottle of 60 lozenges (5000mcg strength) should bring it up to a decent level then you could buy the 1000mcg strength as a maintenance dose.

You need a good B Complex when taking B12. Thorne Basic B is good and contains 400mcg methylfolate which will help raise your low folate level which should be at least half way through it's range.

**

25 OH Vit D is the name of the test. Your level was 125.2nmol/L. The recommended level is 100-150nmol/L so yours is in a very good place. You should maintain this level now by taking a lower​ dose D3 supplement regularly. K2-MK7 is also needed as D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs it to bones and teeth rather than arteries and soft tissues. With you only needing a maintenance dose of D3, you could get a combined supplement. The one I use is this amazon.co.uk/Allergy-Resear... Nutricology brand is the same. It contains some Vit A as well which is another co-factor when taking D3, so it does the job in one small capsule. There are other combo supplements, some are drops, some capsules.

**

I don't think your magnesium supplement was too strong, 250mg is quite common, mine is 350mg. You could be sensitive to it or it's just not the right one. Some are more harsh and less absorbable than others, if it is magnesium oxide it's definitely the wrong sort. As you have a problem with constipation you could try magnesium citrate. I use the powder form and make a small drink, that way you can start low and increase to the suggested dose. This is a good one amazon.co.uk/Natural-Calm-S... no unwanted ingredients and unflavoured.

**

Ferritin at 107 is good, recommended for females is 100-130. You need to maintain that so the easiest way, and it won't constipate you, is to eat liver once a week or so. If you don't fancy a meal of liver on it's own (gently cooked in butter, some onions, yum!), then mince it and 'hide' it in casseroles, cottage pie, curry, bolognese, then there's pate if you like that. If you want a supplement then look at Solgar Gentle Iron which is supposed to be non-constipating.

**

Vit C is an important supplement as it supports adrenals. We use up Vit C throughout the day so we should take divided doses and recommended is 2000mg daily, more if wanted. I use a Vit C powder and take before each meal amazon.co.uk/d/Health-Perso... and according to Dr Sarah Myhill if you take 2000mg before bed you will get a bowel movement the next morning.

**

Rather than Senokot, have a look at these. I've had constipation problems all my life and these are some of the things I've found helps

dolphinfitness.co.uk/en/ort... - make sure it's that one, it doesn't contain senna, some of their products do.

lifestyle-labs.com/products... - I use this product, some people only need one capsule, others need more.

So Vit C, magnesium citrate and the fruit cubes could very well get you going. Or the psyllium husk capsules instead of the fruit cubes.

MissFG profile image
MissFG in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you so much! I'll definately look at improving my supplements based on your info. The magnesium was from holland & Barrett magnesium oxide is all it says I just thought it would help with my fatigue. You mention MK7 for bones and teeth but do you think the other one you mention for arteries and soft tissue would be beneficial with CDT?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to MissFG

MissFG H&B own brand are generally rubbish, as you've found out the magnesium is the cheapest and least absorbable form. Just chuck it in the bin!

"You mention MK7 for bones and teeth but do you think the other one you mention for arteries and soft tissue would be beneficial with CDT?"

No, you've not got that quite right :) . K2-MK7 is the correct supplement which will direct the calcium to bones and teeth and away from arteries and soft tissues. It's one single supplement and is included in the combo D3/K2 supplement I linked to. If you wanted to supplement separately you'd need a D3 softgel (Doctor's Best is good) and K2-MK7 (Jarrows is good).

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