Thyroxine increased, Vit D loading dose, not well, do I start B12 loading dose?

[SmPea]

Most recent blood test results:

TSH 2.89 mu/L (0.35 - 4.94)

FT4 14.5 pmol/L (9.0 - 19.0)

VitD 24 nmol/L Severe deficiency

B12 333 ng/L (150.0 - 883.0)

Folate 6.3 ug/L ( 3.1 - 20.5)

Ferritin 77 ug/L (10.0 - 204.0)

Following several discussions with GP:

3 weeks ago my Thyroxine was increased from 100 to 125

Vit D 3,200iu once daily for 12 weeks. I had this increased to 4,000iu 3 days ago following my last post on this forum. Also taking oral spray K2 once a day. I have just had blood test done for Coeliac, magnesium and antibodies although GP wasn’t sure lab will do the antibodies. Will get results in 2 weeks.

Over the last 2 weeks a little glimmer of new energy but now I have become more unwell with lump in throat, seems to be slightly swollen externally around throat area. Terrible indegestion like symptoms, feels like heartburn at top of chest. Also groin pain - which maybe something separate.

Do I go ahead with B12 loading injections x 6 over next 2 weeks or wait? Wondering if the increase in thyroxine and Vit D3 loading dose is enough for my body right now.

Any thoughts, advice would be much appreciated.

[Clutter]

SmPea,

You were undermedicated on 100mcg and should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after increasing to 125mcg to check thyroid levels are good.

I don't think 4,000iu D3 daily is sufficient to correct vitD deficiency. Your GP should have referred to cks.nice.org.uk/vitamin-d-d... for dosing guidance. I would buy my own vitD3 and top up to 10,000iu daily x 6 weeks then reduce to 5,000iu daily and retest in 3 months. Vitamin D should be taken 4 hours away from Levothyroxine.

If you buy on Amazon please use the affiliate link healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

If you have been offered B12 loading injections then I would accept them. healthunlocked.com/pasoc are the experts on PA, B12 and folate deficiencies.

Folate is low in range. You can raise folate by supplementing folic acid or methylfolate and eating leafy green veg.

Ferritin 77 is adequate. Optimal is halfway through range. You can raise ferritin by eating more iron rich food and liver once a week.

[SmPea in reply to Clutter]

Thank you Clutter. Do you think by doing B12 loading doses now it will be too much on top of recently increasing Levothyroxine and taking Vit D3 loading dose given the problems with my gut at the moment?

I have never been a pill taker and taking more and more makes me nervous! My health hasn’t been great for a long time I don’t want to make it worse. Hence my reluctance to take a higher dose of Vit D3 at this stage. My plan is to wait for blood test results when I get them done in 9 weeks time. Hopefully this will clarify if the Vit D3 is working at all. Hope that makes sense.

[Clutter in reply to SmPea]

SmPea,

Presumably you have neuropathy and that's why you are being offered B12 loading doses? If so, I would want them to commence ASAP to relieve neuropathy. Injections will bypass malabsorption caused by gut issues.

VitD3 4,000iu will work but very slowly over months. I was prescribed 40,000iu daily x 14 followed by 2,000iu daily x 8 weeks which restored vitD from <10 to 107.

[SmPea in reply to Clutter]

Thank you that is very helpful. GP didn’t say why she wanted to give B12 injections other than my count is low. I’ll ask her tomorrow hopefully.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As you have lots of symptoms of low B12 you need injections to start asap.

While waiting for antibodies results suggest you read as much as possible about Gluten free diet and Hashimoto's

Don't go gluten free until you know lab has done antibodies tests. If positive you will need to remain on gluten until endoscopy, that should be offered within 6 weeks

If coeliac test is negative you can go strictly gluten free immediately. Stick on it at least 6 months. Ideally retest antibodies once or twice year. On a strictly gluten free diet majority see antibodies start to slowly fall

If lab refused to do antibodies then get private tests

[SmPea]

Thank you, that is really helpful and clear advice, just what I need as my brain is fuddled right now!

[Marymary7]

Please follow the experts advice on here. You just have to accept you need these meds and don’t worry about popping pills and having jabs your health depends on it. My brother is paralysed down one side from lack of b12. You should read up on these two excellent sites. Good luck.