hypothyroidism and B12 deficiency

[sunnydr]

Hi all, should B12 levels be checked in all cases of Hashimoto's hypothyroidism?

[Clutter]

Sunnydr,

It's not part of a thyroid function test. It's been observed that thyroid patients often have low/deficient ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate and that's why members are advised to have them checked if they are still symptomatic after being optimally dosed on Levothyroxine.

[sunnydr in reply to Clutter]

thank you for your reply. It's a good idea to check these but you're not automatically checked for these deficiencies if you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism? is this correct?

[Clutter in reply to sunnydr]

Sunnydr,

Correct, you are not automatically tested for those deficiencies.

[Gambit62]

to expand on Clutter 's response

low iron is generally the first indication of gastric problems in hashi's patients. Ferritin is a generally a good measure for this but it isn't the only measure and ideally shouldn't be taken as a single indicator - eg if ferritin is low then check that other indicators are low rather than assuming that iron is low.

serum B12 is the usual test for B12 deficiency but it is a difficult test to interpret as the normal range generally misses 25% of people who are B12 deficient. Macrocytosis (larger rounder red blood cells is a common symptom of B12 deficiency but also isn't present in 25% of people presenting with B12 deficiency, so there isn't really a good test for monitoring B12 levels - which is why you need to look at symptoms - but that's also difficult because of the overlap with thyroid symptoms.

folate testing isn't prone to the same problems.

not clear on the link with vitD

[SlowDragon Administrator]

But in future hopefully NICE guidelines will recommend just this

That ALL Hashimoto's patients should be routinely tested for low vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

All are extremely common

Sadly very common either never to be tested, or low results ignored or inadequately treated

There are thousands of patients turn up here like this day in day out.

[Hidden]

B12 injections are now available from Blue Horizons

[Gambit62 in reply to Hidden]

injections or tests

[Hidden in reply to Gambit62]

Test first then post then action OK?

[Gambit62 in reply to Hidden]

I don't understand what you are saying.

I am not aware that blue horizons provide any medical supplies - they undertake testing. I can't find any reference on their website to providing medications to treat conditions.

injectable B12 can only be supplied in the UK for medical purposes if you have a prescription from a doctor.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Gambit62]

Gambit62,

It's new!

b12horizon.co.uk/

[Gambit62 in reply to helvella]

yes, just noticed the the other post - about 100x the cost of sourcing for self injection so I don't think many members on the PAS forum will be opting for it.

[Hidden in reply to Gambit62]

I received an email yesterday from Blue Horizon. It stated that they were now doing B12 injections either with a nurse at home or at a BMI hospital. I thought that you could order online they have doctors working for them.

More details to follow