Hi, sat here in full panic mode. History thus far: 2003 diagnosed hypothyroid TSH - 4.8mu/L. started on levothyroxine. Tested each year, always told "OK". Dosage now at 100mg.
April 2016 - TPO Ab - 147u/ml.
Oct 2016 - TPO Ab - 306 u/mL. TSH - 1mu/L. Free T4 - 14 pmo/L
These are the only tests done.
Having taken a bit more interest in health & nutrition over the past year especially I now realise the implications of having antibodies in my system and have spent hours watching videos and reading about Hashimotos and the whole thyroid problem. I am due another yearly test but have been refused anything but TSH by my Doctor...was told I'd have to go private if I want: T3, free T3, T4, free T4, TPO Ab, Thyroglobulin Ab, B12, VitD, Iron, Ferritin, Folate, Serum Selenium & Iodine...which I believe are the test recommended? I've requested a quote from my local private hospital, but think it will possibly be too expensive. I'm not sure if they charge per test or as a "job lot". Would like to know if I need all these tests?? I also take a whole raft of supplements daily as well as my levothyroxine: B12 - 5000mcg, D3 - 10,000iu, Selenium - 400mcg, VitC - 2000mg, High potency B complex, K2 - 600mcg, Biotin 10,000ug, Inositol - 1000mg, Magnesium - 400mg, Lodoral - 12.5mg, Red Krill - 1000mg, Turmeric - 1000mg+10mg Piperine, MCT Oil, Amazing Grass Green Superfood. I also use Serenity progesterone cream. As I said my main panic is the antibodies....any suggestions/advice please.
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debswelly11
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Have you told your doctor you are taking supplements as he/she may be more inclined to test? Did you get your vitamin levels tested before you started supplementing? You really should not go over-range in vitamin D3 and iron because your body does not excrete excess as vitamin D is fat-soluble and stored in body fat.
You can have vitamins tested through online labs which are listed on Thyroid UK website. I believe people here have used Medichecks and Blue Horizon and they have special offers. You could do another post to ask people's experience of using them and find out about the offers.
400mcg of Selenium is the full daily recommended adult allowance and you will probably get some through your food so you may be taking far too much. A maximum of 200mcg is recommended for adults in this website.
Second thing - you don't have to go to your local private hospital for tests, we have recommended labs that do test bundles at very reasonable prices, either a fingerprick test or a venous blood draw if you can get it done.
Third thing - as you are supplementing, what exactly have you had tested already to prompt you to use those supplements?
As you have Hashi's, are you strictly gluten free to try and reduce the antibodies? That has helped many members here.
Recommended tests are
TSH
FT4
FT3
Thyroid antibodies - but you already know you are Hashi's
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
Optional tests:
Selenium
Iodine
**
Where you have put
Lodoral - 12.5mg
Do you mean Iodoral - iodine? If so then stop supplementing. Iodine is a bad idea for hypos, even worse for Hashi's. It is anti-thyroid and used to treat overactive thyroid. It can make your antibody attacks worse. Iodine should be tested and if deficient only taken under the supervision of a qualifed practioner.
I'm off to look up some of your other supplements as I don't know what they all are.
First when you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
For full evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested
You are taking massive amount of B vitamins. Highly likely to be very very over range
5000mcg B12 AND high strength vitamin B complex AND biotin.
More is not necessarily better, and can be worse
Similarly vit D at 10,000iu is VERY high dose, unless extremely deficient. What was your level before starting supplements? It's toxic if level goes too high
Selenium can be toxic at high doses
Definitely don't want iodide of any sort with Hashimoto's unless definitely tested by a real iodine expert and found to actually be deficient
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results
The best proven way to lower antibodies is Levo dose high enough to bring TSH down around one and FT4 towards top of range. Plus many/most find strictly gluten free diet helps noticeably or sometimes significantly
In my opinion supplement dosages are personal - it's not a matter of what is recommended for someone else. It's important to have blood tests so that you take the best dose for you. Overdosing can be just as bad as being deficient.
Thanks Susie, my vitamin supplementation is purely based on lots of reading and watching. Dr Michael Johnson, Dr Edward Group (global healing centre), Dr Eric Berg, Dr Browstein, Suzy Cohen, Izabella Wentz. I've never had any tests. I take on board your advice regarding Iodine.
I'm also aware of the gluten free advice. I've tried this, sort of half-heartedly...this is really difficult, especially when you have a hubby who lives on bread & cakes. I actually feel OK. The supplements got rid of my fuzzy brain and the terrible dizzy spells I was having (again the Dr not interested...said it was an age related thing!!) My only real symptoms are slight weight gain, but I do eat too much!! and also hair thinning, but the biotin has helped that lots.
You need to test before supplementing. D3 is fat soluble and excess doesn't get excreted, it gets stored and can become toxic, so you test then supplement at the appropriate amount. Same with iron. B vitamins are water soluble and excess is excreted, but test to see if you need to supplement otherwise it can be very expensive pee!
Selenium - 400mcg - reduce this to 200mcg
VitC - 2000mg - this is fine as it supports adrenals. Take in divided doses throughout the day.
Magnesium - 400mg - that's an average dose and most of us are low in magnesium so should be OK to supplement.
Red Krill - 1000mg - I use a Krill oil supplement, meant to be a superior source of fatty acids
A good B Complex is a decent supplement for us Hypos, but get a good balance rather than B50, B100, etc., some of those have too much of certain individual vitamins.
Turmeric - 1000mg+10mg Piperine, MCT Oil, Amazing Grass Green Superfood - I can't comment on these, no idea what they're for.
So you need to test
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
and test at the appropriate dose with any cofactors neeed.
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