Vitamin D and thyroid

[greenbexy]

Just wondering if anyone could offer advice? Before xmas, after feeling pretty awful, blood results showed low B12, low ferritin and low folate. After loading doses still felt so tired went back to GP in February. Thyroid came back normal:

TSH 1.18mu/L (0.1-4.0)

FreeT4 13.0pmol/L (8-20)

But vitamin D 12 nmol/L (50-250)

Had loading doses of vit D, 20,000 units twice weekly for seven weeks, levels came up to 82 in April.

Recently went back to GP as I'm still tired and foggy brained, he checked thyroid again, not much different

TSH 1.35

T4 12.8

Vitamin D 65 (all ranges the same as before)

Ferritin 12ug/L (15-300)

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure I have read somewhere the problem could be thyroid related when vitamin D keeps dropping, is this true?

Would it be worth paying for private tests of the full thyroid hormones, or am I 'barking up the wrong tree'?

Underactive thyroid is in the family (mum and aunt)

GP has done lots of bloods, all came back 'within range' apart from ferritin and C reactive protein 5.8mg/L (<5.0) only slightly above. He has referred me to haematology after nothing came back from gastroenterologist. Not sure if it's the right department though!

Thanks for reading.

[Nanaedake]

There is a connection between vitamin D deficiency and Hashimoto's thyroid condition. Has your GP tested for autoimmune thyroid conditions? You can find information about the tests on Thyroid UK's website. Has your doctor checked kidney, liver function to make sure all are functioning well? Haematology sounds like a good start since you have low ferritin and low Vit D. Sounds like a good GP who is trying to help you get back on track.

[greenbexy in reply to Nanaedake]

Thanks for replying, not tested for autoimmune thyroid, not sure about kidney but liver function came back normal. I was hoping that haematology was the right place, would he/she look into thyroid though?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your GP should test for thyroid antibodies- if high then this is Hashimotos. As you have thyroid issues in close family it's pretty likely

Hashimoto's is linked to poor gut function, known as leaky gut. Low vitamins are extremely common as result and gluten intolerance can be a hidden underlying issue. A few of us with Hashimoto's are actually coeliac, but majority are gluten intolerant

Did gastroenterologist do endoscopy for coeliac or consider gut infections like H Pylori

Low vitamin D may need continually supplementing at above average maintenance dose. Low vitamin D is linked to Hashimoto's

[greenbexy in reply to SlowDragon]

Thought so, thanks for replying. GP is pretty good, but quite new. Endoscopy showed no celiac, although I've read it isn't 100%, or H Pylori. Just feel like I could be clutching at straws! I've toyed with the idea of gluten free, and yes, leaky gut- my Google searches seem to keep bringing back to leaky gut for one reason or another!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to greenbexy]

Gluten intolerance has no effective NHS test. Though there are private Cyrex tests via functional medicine

Suggest you could just try strictly gluten free. You might be amazed, you don't have to have any obvious gut issues.

Most important to get antibodies tested, though even then some people can apparently have Hashimoto's but not have raised antibodies. In that case a thyroid scan may show change in texture.

[greenbexy in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks again, think my GP is getting sick of seeing me! Doesn't bother me though, it's my health at risk and quality of life!