Vitamins and minerals advice please

[JEC90]

Ferritin 38 (30 - 400) taking 3x ferrous fumarate since 2013 for iron deficiency

Folate 2.0 (2.5 - 19.5) given folic acid 5mg once a day after result, no retest booked

Vitamin B12 205 (190 - 900)

Vitamin D 41.2 (25 - 50 deficiency. Supplementation is indicated) taking 800iu vitamin D on prescription since 2013, did supplement with 3000iu until I had pain in ribs and stopped and went back to 800iu. Result with me taking 800iu only

Results taken August 2017 thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So these tests were done in August, yet your GP has not responded at all until now?

Having seen your other post too, I would suggest you see a different GP if at all possible

Consider complaint to practice manager or higher

All your vitamin levels are far too low

See replies from SeasideSusie on what needs supplementing

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of hypothyroidism in UK is due to Hashimoto's.

Hashimoto's very often affects the gut, leading to low stomach acid, low vitamin levels and leaky gut.

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms. About 5% are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps as either have gluten intolerance (no test) or leaky gut

Don't be surprised if your GP is unaware

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

Low stomach acid can be an issue

Lots of posts on here about how to improve with Apple cider vinegar or Betaine HCL

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[JEC90 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks GP is taking no action on results, I will make complaint

[bluebug]

Firstly you have become aware the NHS isn't very helpful in helping you. While if you push they should prescribe you sufficient levo to get your TSH, FT4 and FT3 to optimal levels if levo works for you, they will not sort out your vitamin and mineral levels.

Secondly you need to read up about the thyroid and all the useful information the others have given you. Next you need to ask for advice on here about supplements and buy your own where the NHS are clearly not providing you with enough e.g. vitamin D3 then retest privately if necessarily. (Always buy supplements online to avoid the rubbish pharmacists and health food shops come out with.) Lots of areas have restrictions on how often they can retest patients vitamin and mineral levels and in some cases e.g. vitamin B12 they don't actually retest once you start supplementing.

Also don't be afraid of coming on here and asking people why you hurt after taking a supplement.

In the case of your increased dose of vitamin D3 you probably aren't aware that due to your bones leaching calcium when you start taking a higher dose your bones start remodelling normally and it can bl***y hurt. Many GPs don't know this and many are surprised if you tell them taking vitamin D3 supplements causes pain. They think something is wrong with you and they either tell you to go on 800IU per day, stop completely or ignore you. The actual solution is to continue the high dose plus take the co-factors magnesium and vitamin K2-MK7. The bone pain stops within 3-4 months. In your case if you had taken a slightly higher level e.g. 5,000IU per day for 10-12 weeks it would have stopped quicker. Having a low level of vitamin D3 for a long time is more damaging to your health than having rib pain for a few months.

If you can sort your thyroid hormone levels and diet then you MAY stop losing iron so quickly, and just eating liver 1-2 times a week may be enough to keep your iron levels up once you get it up.

BTW I was severely vitamin D3 deficient e.g. a level under 25. I had pain in my hips, back, long bones in my legs, feet and arms when I was initially prescribed vitamin D3 for 3 months. I had to find out information from other severely deficient people and people with MS as the doctors knew SFA about vitamin D deficiency. It wasn't even a doctor who discovered I was deficient - the GP I had at the time told me I was making my symptoms up and he was going to remove me off the list if I kept coming back with the same symptoms.