I do not know how to get my vitamin levels tested. Do you have to plead with the GP to get them tested? If so, what are the main ones to get checked for if you have hypothyroidism? I know my B12 is low, but the doctors are leaving it alone until they stabilise my thyroxine level following a decrease in medication as they are unsure if it is related to being over-prescribed for months.
Also, should I take a multi-vitamin as an interim measure until I can get the important vitamin levels tested? If so, what multivitamin do you suggest?
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Sunsette1
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Sunsette1 I'm sure someone such as SeasideSusie will be along to give you some comprehensive advice, but meanwhile no, don't take a mult-Vit "just in case" - generally we should supplement based on actual need, and therefore not a multivit in any case. They provide just a collection of things you may not need at those doses, or at all, or may be inadvisably combined. Thyroxine being slightly over-medicated isn't generally a concern so long as FT3 is within range; but in any case, you could have FT4 at the top of, or above range and if you convert poorly nevertheless your FT3 level could be dragging along the bottom. So dosing by FT4 in the absence of FT3 and associated symptoms, is not a good idea, nor is constantly changing dose. If you post your results with their ranges, when you were considered overmedicated, and after dose reductions, together with details of what you are/were taking, members can advise on that.
They only checked my TSH and T4. I know now that both are meaningless unless T3 is also tested, thanks to the wonderful people on this forum. I originally went to the doctors as I thought my diabetes had come back (had GD when pregnant) as I felt so awful, so they tested that and my thyroid to find my thyroid results were inconsistent and looked too high: TSH 0.05 and T4 29.8
They reduced my thyroxine from 150mg to 100mg, however this made me feel really unwell, much worse than I was already feeling so they agreed to bring it up to 125mg. Currently off work with severe fatigue and general feeling of crappiness, in a hope that I will feel better with rest by next Tuesday when I am due back at work. Rubbish!
Due for a retest in December, will make sure they check T3 level too.
So your GP reduced your Levothyroxine from 150mcg to 100mcg
That's a ridiculously large reduction. Absolute max reduction at any one time is 25mcg
Very likely you weren't even over medicated.
If GP only looking at TSH or TSH and FT4 this is completely inadequate
Do you have results and ranges from when on 150mcg?
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are EXTREMELY common and often TSH then low
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins
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 ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Low vitamin levels are usually due to being UNDER medicated, not over
Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take early morning, on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime.
Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients
Don't take a multivitamin either. Too little of what you might need, cheap ingredients and likely to have things in you definitely don't want. Plus will skew test results
Getting vitamins tested first step. If include thyroid in testing don't do it until at least 6-8 weeks on constant unchanging Levothyroxine dose
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