Vitamins and minerals

[Mally5]

Wondering if any of these could be causing my symptoms GP says I could do with a boost in my ferritin and folate and I take 800iu vitamin d thankyou

VITAMIN B12 228 (190 - 900)

FOLATE 2.0 (2.5 - 19.5)

VITAMIN D 45.2 (25 - 50 deficient)

FERRITIN 19 (15 - 150)

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Yes Mally5 these could be causing some of your symptoms!proms, they certainly won't be helping. Nutrient levels need to be optimal for thyroid hormone to work.

VITAMIN B12 228 (190 - 900)

FOLATE 2.0 (2.5 - 19.5)

You are folate deficient with very low B12. Do you have any signs of B12 Deficiency b12deficiency.info/signs-an... If so please post on the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum here on Health Unlocked for further advice healthunlocked.com/pasoc

Folate should be at least half way through it's range and B12 over 500 to avoid neurological problems.

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FERRITIN 19 (15 - 150)

Ferritin should be half way through it's range with a minimum of 70 for thyroid hormone to work.

It would be a good idea to have an iron panel, full blood count and Haemoglobin test to see if you have iron deficiency anaemia.

If you are prescribed iron tablets then take each one with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation. Take iron four hours away from thyroid meds and two hours away from any other medication and supplements as it affects their absorption.

Eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, will help raise your level, as will eating lots of iron rich foods.

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VITAMIN D 45.2 (25 - 50 deficient)

Recommended level, according to the Vit D Council, is 100-150nmol/L.

800iu D3 isn't enough to raise your level, it's hardly a maintenance dose for someone with a decent level to start with.

You'd be better off buying some D3 softgels like these bodykind.com/product/2463-b... and take 5000iu daily for 8 weeks then reduce to 5000iu alternate days for a month then retest, privately if necessary with City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/index.html

Once you've reached the recommended level you'll need to find a maintenance dose to keep it there, that could be 2000iu daily, it's trial and error so it's recommended to retest once or twice a year to keep within the recommended range.

When taking D3 there are important cofactors needed vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.

Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out the other cofactors too.

[Mally5 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thankyou GP says I could do with iron because complete blood count said MCV 78.2 (80 - 100) MCHC 378 (310 - 350) Haemoglobin 135 (120 - 160) and iron showed 9.0 (6.0 - 26.0) transferrin saturation % 13 (10 - 30)

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mally5]

Those results suggest iron deficiency anaemia, for which the treatment is ferrous fumarate 1 tablet 2 or 3 times a day. You will need to be monitored.

This is the NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary, your local area guidelines should be the same or very similar

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-iro...

"How should I treat iron deficiency anaemia?

Address underlying causes as necessary (for example treat menorrhagia or stop nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, if possible).

Treat with oral ferrous sulphate 200 mg tablets two or three times a day.

If ferrous sulphate is not tolerated, consider oral ferrous fumarate tablets or ferrous gluconate tablets.

Do not wait for investigations to be carried out before prescribing iron supplements.

If dietary deficiency of iron is thought to be a contributory cause of iron deficiency anaemia, advise the person to maintain an adequate balanced intake of iron-rich foods (for example dark green vegetables, iron-fortified bread, meat, apricots, prunes, and raisins) and consider referral to a dietitian.

Monitor the person to ensure that there is an adequate response to iron treatment."