Under Active Thyroid & Supplements

[wallofbeans]

Hi All,

I have an under active thyroid and take 125mg of Levothyroxine per day. I also have a Hiatal Hernia and take 40mg of Pantaprazole per day.

I have recently started taking supplements to help with these things, but also to help with my general health. I have been taking 2 x 2000mg of Omega-3 fish oil, 400mg Calcium & 200mg of Magnesium, and a Multivitamin containing Vitamin A, D, E, K, C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, B6, Folic Acid, B12, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magniesium, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Chromium, Molybdenum, Iodine, Lutein.

But I have also been getting regular mild headaches and waking up with bags under my eyes like I've never had before. I am also feeling more tired than usual.

This has been going on since I was sick before Xmas, and for a long time I assumed it was just part of that illness. But whatever it is, I am now not able to shake it and wondering if it could be related to any of the supplements?

I'm taking them to help me feel better but I am now concerned something is doing the exact opposite.

Any thoughts or advice on this would be very much appreciated.

Thanks...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

"I have been taking 2 x 2000mg of Omega-3 fish oil, 400mg Calcium & 200mg of Magnesium, and a Multivitamin containing Vitamin A, D, E, K, C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, B6, Folic Acid, B12, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magniesium, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Chromium, Molybdenum, Iodine, Lutein."

Have you tested Calcium and found to be deficient? If not then you shouldn't supplement unless you know you need it.

Iron in the Multi will stop everything else being absorbed. Iron needs to be taken at least 2 hours away from other supplements.

Iodine is anti-thyroid and used to be used to treat hyperthyroidism. You should test before supplementing and if found to be deficient then be treated by a practioner proficient in treating iodine deficiency.

Pantaprazole can affect absorption of Levo. Do you take them at opposite ends of the day?

Do you know your levels of Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin? They need to be optimal so if not tested it would be a good idea to do so and supplement according to any low levels or deficiencies.

[wallofbeans in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks so much for the reply. I'm very keen to get a handle on all this stuff and take conrol of these issues.

I haven't been tested for Calcium deficiency, no.

There's also 162mg of Calcium in the multivitamin and 5mg of Iron, 100ug of Iodine, 5ug Vit D, 2,5ug of B12. I didn't think about the specifics of the multivitamin and just thought that it would be good. I should probably stop taking it and see if that helps, right? The Calcium too?

I don't take the Pantaprazole at the opposite end of the day. That one needs to be taken in the morning or I'll have heartburn all day long. So the Levothyroxine would need to be taken at night. Is that okay? I'm worried that it'll be doing it's work when I'm asleep!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to wallofbeans]

Yes, I would ditch the multi and the calcium.

Some people find that taking Levo at bedtime is better for them. I read on a recent post that we make T4 whilst we are asleep so taking it at bedtime makes sense (wish I'd saved the post now!). It can't hurt to try, but if you don't like taking it at night then just take as far away from the Pantaprozile as possible.

[Marz]

Please post your thyroid test results with ranges - sounds as if you could be under-medicated. Do you have Hashimotos ? Taking multi-vitamins is rather random and rarely gives you enough of anything to make a difference. Also all those fillers - you could be reacting to those. Will look out for your results ....

[wallofbeans in reply to Marz]

I don't know if I have my results. Can I ask for a copy of the results? I need to make an appointment with my doctor to go for another blood test anyway. The last test I had was a year ago as they told me the results were consistent so I didn't need to go so often.

I was diagnosed in 2010 and it's the only time my doctor has called me at home and told me I needed to take medication immediately.

[wallofbeans in reply to wallofbeans]

Ps. I'm not sure what Hashimotos is, so can't tell you if I have it. I'll find out!

[Marz in reply to wallofbeans]

You are legally entitled to have copies of all your test results with ranges. Then you really can get a handle on matters - monitoring your progress - and checking what has been missed 😊

Hashimotos is the most common thyroid issue - over 2500 posts on this forum ! It is auto-immune in origin and not something any Doc knows a great deal about. So the tests are Anti-TPO & Anti -Tg.

Are you in a position to have private testing done at home ? Very popular here and then you have the correct tests and can move forward posting the results here.

thyroiduk.org

The above link takes you to the main website of this forum where you can read everything Thyroid. Blood testing companies also detailed.

Your PPI will be affecting the uptake of vitals - have you been taking it a long time ?

[wallofbeans in reply to Marz]

PPI?

[Marz in reply to wallofbeans]

Protein Pump Inhibitor - you are taking Pantaprazole - how long ? Are you able to have Private Testing done ?

[wallofbeans in reply to Marz]

I've been taking Pantaprozole for a three years but I was taking omeprazole (20mg twice a day) and started taking that in 2007 or thereabouts.

[Marz in reply to wallofbeans]

It is made to be a short course of around 8 weeks. Have you tried something more natural ? I appreciate you have a Hernia ....

[wallofbeans in reply to Marz]

I've tried other options but nothing works and I've never been told that either of those meds are only meant to be taken for a short time. I have a camera down my throat every two years and the follow up is always keep taking the meds and backing up with Rennie (my granny always had packets scattered around her house so it must be in the genes) and Gaviscon...

[Marz in reply to wallofbeans]

i believe it is mentioned in the PIL - Patient Information Leaflet. What have you tried ? Are you Gluten Free ? Have you tried Kefir ? Often when Hypo we have LOW acid and not high - symptoms are similar. When acid is low proteins are not broken down in the stomach before passing into the gut - so they remain and begin to ferment. This causes the upward funneling of fermented foods and the weakening of the oesophagus - causing the hernia.

[wallofbeans in reply to Marz]

I look up Kefir and give it a try. I've just found my info about that, and I have 'Barrett's Epithelium' as well as Hiatus Hernia, if that makes any difference...

[Hidden in reply to wallofbeans]

Hang on, what's Barrett's Epithelium wallofbeans ? Have heard of Barrett's Oesophagus where it's essential that PPI's are taken.

Regardless, what you're up against in the NHS is doing as you're told and take the pills. Their way or the highway.

[wallofbeans in reply to Hidden]

The epithelium is the lining of the esophagus, and I think the term is just another way of saying the same thing - ie I have Barrett's Oesophagus.

[Hidden in reply to wallofbeans]

wallofbeans I'm another with a hiatal hernia and refused to take PPIs. I stopped eating the foods I suspected were making it worse so that meant no fruit, no tomatoes, reducing sugar and am 95% gluten-free. What has made a huge difference though is the supplement Slippery Elm that I took 3 times daily.

[wallofbeans]

I've also just read that Levothyroxine has lactose in it and I am lactose intolerant so that might not be helping either.

[Marz in reply to wallofbeans]

You can have lactose free prescribed - sorry I do not know the brand. Type it into the Search Box above - Lactose Free T4 and earlier posts will appear. Are you lactose or casein intolerant - or both ?

[wallofbeans in reply to Marz]

I haven't been tested for lactose intolerance as it's very clear that I am! The symptoms are blatant and almost immediate. I don't know what casein is so have no idea if I am affected by that as well.

[Marz in reply to wallofbeans]

You can read up on casein - it is also in products that contain lactose - you can be casein intolerant and not lactose and vice versa - or both ! Dr Google will provide all your answers ....

[Marz in reply to wallofbeans]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Previous posts about lactose free Levo - see above link

[Marz in reply to Marz]

Did you take a look at the link ?

[wallofbeans in reply to Marz]

Yes - very helpful, thank you! I'm going to talk to my doctor and see...

[Rmichelle]

Hi there i have a hiatul hernia aswell but decided not to take the omeprazole after 3 months, they are meant to be short term but gps do tend to hand these ppis out like smarties, they can do alot of damage ppis and maybe trying a alternative? I understand the pain associated with hernias and the acid reflux but i found it quite a poisonous drug in many ways and the long term use of ppis are quite serious, i also found the rebound affect of coming off them eas horrendous and that is why most people continue with them as the withdrawls are bad. Good luck.x😊

[wallofbeans in reply to Rmichelle]

What do you do instead?

[Rmichelle]

I take gaviscon and zantac for the heartburn and i found my hernia was triggered by bending down at certain levels it really irritates it. I know that is not alot of use and i am not telling you to discontinue them but maybe look into a alternative if you really dont need to take them-i understand it can be difficult. Maybe ask someone who is alot higher than gp.xx😊

[wallofbeans in reply to Rmichelle]

I've spoken to several consultants and they've always said to stay on the lowest dose of the meds that keeps it under control. And that's what I do. I also (mostly) avoid all foods that trigger it but sometimes it comes anyway.

I also have this thing where I can't burp, which doesn't help. I've never been able to burp (even as a baby) although the once in a while it happens ( tiny burp, maybe once a month), it feels so much better.

I thinking burping would really help, but all I have is this strange growl that comes up my throat. Doctors look at me like I am crazy but I'm not alone and have found others online that have the same thing.

This is going off topic so I'll stop now!

[Rmichelle in reply to wallofbeans]

Thats ok i dont mind you going of the topic we are here to help if we can but if you need to stay on them do so but be waryvas they are known for destroying important vitamins and minerals, and also if you are going to come off them titrate them down it may help with withdrawl affects.😊

[Marz in reply to wallofbeans]

Try a bit of good old fashioned bi-carb to help with the burping - it will also help with any acidity. It is what our parents and grandparents did before Big Pharma got in on the act after the last war ...

[wallofbeans]

Hello All,

Apologies for bringing back this post. I've not yet had a blood test as I'm told I now only need it once a year and so am supposed to wait until June before going again. I might push to have it earlier though.

I do have access to my previous thyroid test results though. I was diagnosed in 2009 with a ridiculously high number but the last test two tests have been as follows:

Serum TSH level - 0.84 mu/L (26 June 2017)

Serum TSH level - 1.88 mu/L (17 Feb 2016)

In case you wondered, my levels when I first went to the doctor, having felt very tired for months and months and exhausted all other methods of trying to manage it -- Serum TSH level 95.26 mlU/L

My Vit D was a little low last time it was checked, a few years ago now though -- 85 nmol/L and the same for B12 -- 200 ng/l

Any thoughts on this?

[Marz in reply to wallofbeans]

Are you supplementing VitD ? - maybe 2000 IU;s should bring it up to 100 + - and also take magnesium and VitK2-MK7

B12 far too LOW - are you supplementing ? 5000 mcg Methylcobalamin from JARROW on Amazon - kept under the tongue until dissolved. Also a GOOD B Complex to keep all the B's in balance and maintain levels of folate/Folic Acid which works in the body with B12 ....

[wallofbeans]

I thought they seemed low, but they are within the normal range so not flagged up by doctors. Not taking anything for them, no. Will look into those suggestions though - thanks.

[wallofbeans]

Any advice on amounts of and places to buy magnesium, K2 MK7, and B complex?

[Thyb]

Vitabay Organic Vitamin K2-MK7 Orange flavoured drops you put under tongue (seem good to me).

I use Better You Magnesium Sensitive Body Spray,

Igennus Super B Complex. (All from Amazon).

If your VitD blood test is low maybe Ask your GP for INVITAD3 Ampoules (easy to take with main/fattiest meal of Day).

I have Nu U Nutrition Vitamin D3 1000 iu 365 softgel capsules in bottle/carton...Ingredients:- Sunflower Oil, Capsule shell (gelatine Bovine), glycerine Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)...I like the 1000iu's so I can adjust dose if necessary.

Some prefer Better You VitD3 Mouth Spray...There's also same spray that contains VitK2-MK7. All available from Amazon

Your Vitamin B is very low. Ask GP For VitB12, Folate, Ferritin, Iron blood tests to find out if you need B12 injections.

IF GP says to 'supplement' after blood tests.....I find 'Nature Provides' Bioactive B12 good..it contains 66.6% of Methylcobalamin and 33.3% of Adenosylcobalamin....Other ingredients just 'reverse osmosis water'. My B12 was about 266 and is now 432 after 3-4 weeks.

Hope this helps a little wallofbeans