New vitamin levels

[Kyla665]

I have Hashimotos and possible coeliac. My new results for vitamins are

Vitamin D 38.2 (25 - 50 deficiency)

Folate 2.2 (2.5 - 19.5)

Ferritin 28 (30 - 400)

Vitamin B12 199 (190 - 900)

I have loading doses of vitamin D and B12 injections done every 3 months since Feb 2017, also iron deficient and folate deficient and I take 5mg folic acid, thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Kyla

So comparing your results to your last ones

Vitamin D 21.1 (<25 severe) - now Vitamin D 38.2 (25 - 50 deficiency)

Your loading doses are helping. Do you still have more to go? What dose are you taking?

The Vit D Council recommends a level of 100-150nmol/L so you have a long way to go to reach that. Once your loading doses are finished you will need a sensible dose to bring you up to the recommended level. So you need testing again when the loading doses have been completed and we can suggest the dose you should then take.

Your doctor wont know, because they are not taught nutrition, but there are important cofactors needed when taking D3 as recommended by the Vit D Council -

vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.

Magnesium helps D3 to work and comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out the other cofactors too.

**

Folate 2.3 (2.5 - 19.5) - now Folate 2.2 (2.5 - 19.5) - taking 5mg folic acid

Well, the folic acid isn't doing a very good job then. How long have you been taking it? Do you take it daily or weekly?

You should discuss this with your GP. Not everyone does well on folic acid and the need the methylfolate form instead.

Your "possible coeliac" may be stopping absorption.

**

Ferritin 44 (30 - 400) - now Ferritin 28 (30 - 400) - iron deficient

What's being done about this? Are you prescribed anything?

**

Vitamin B12 202 (190 - 900) - now Vitamin B12 199 (190 - 900) - B12 injections done every 3 months since Feb 2017

Again, a drop in level. When was your last injection? Have you been tested after an injection to see how high it takes you?

In your previous post here healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... Gambit said

"There is a significant overlap in symptoms of B12 and hashi's ... and many people with B12 absorption problems need B12 much more frequently than 3 monthly injections.

If you have B12 absorption problems it can also affect absorption of other vitamins and minerals - particularly folate and iron"

and she suggested you post on the Pernicious Anaemia forum. I think that you should take her advice.

[Kyla665 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for reply!

I have not been given anything for iron because my GP said my ferritin was in range.

Folic acid I have been taking since Nov 2016 and I take it daily

Last injection was 4 months ago, the haemtology department did not want my vitamin B12 checked after an injection because it would skew the results

I am currently on 300,000IU loading dose of vitamin D, I have been on it for 4 weeks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Kyla665]

Kyla

Your ferritin may now be in range, but what about the iron deficiency? Have you had a recent FBC, is it still showing iron deficiency - low MCV/high MCHC? Were you under a haematologist? They often say if ferritin falls below 50 they want the patient referred back.

A ferritin level of 44 isn't good enough, it needs to be at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work. You could start eating liver regularly to increase your level, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content.

You would still be best following Gambit's advice, I think you may have a serious absorption problem which is being overlooked.

[Kyla665 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks! I was under haematology who wanted my ferritin above 50. My last complete blood count showed MCV 81 (83 -98) MCHC 356 (310 - 350)

I have posted on the PA forum

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Kyla665]

Kyla

So those results still show iron deficiency anaemia.

As your haematologist wants your ferritin above 50 then you need to remind your GP of this. A level of 28 certainly doesn't cut it so you need treatment and possibly a referral back to haematology. Get your GP to sort it out and if he wont then contact the haematologist's secretary yourself to get a message to him/her and ask for guidance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Make an urgent appointment with GP and insist on full coeliac investigation. They can do coeliac blood test that day. Endoscopy within 6 weeks

Your B12 is terrible. You will need more frequent injections

Do you supplement folic acid daily? Or weekly

Taking a good quality vitamin B complex with folate in may be better option. Also recommended anyway when having B12 injections

How long have you been on vitamin D loading dose? Level is still very poor

Suggest you try Better You vitamin D mouth spray. 5000iu daily. It works well as avoids poor gut function. NHS currently refuses to pay to prescribe it, though they apparently know it works better for many of us

Ferritin. Push for an iron infusion. You are not absorbing the iron supplements assuming you are on them

Persistent low vitamins with supplements suggests coeliac disease or gluten intolerance

gluten.org/resources/health...

Gluten intolerance is extremely common with Hashimoto's

[Kyla665 in reply to SlowDragon]

Folic acid is daily, I have been on loading dose of vitamin D for 4 weeks Thanks!