Vitamin D supplement : My vitamin D level just... - Thyroid UK

My gp finally tested me after learning I now have alopecia. I was told to take 10,000 D and 100 K, but not what form. I don’t think my gp knows the protocol for D deficiency.

I went to see a functional Medicine doctor who thinks I have leaky gut syndrome, and is starting me on a special anti-inflammatory diet. I also am on schedule to see a specialist in April.

I really appreciate your help, thank you.

SlowDragonAdministrator• in reply to6 years ago

You need folate, ferritin and B12 tested too

Very common for all these to be too low if left on far too low a dose of Levothyroxine for far too long

All four need to be OPTIMAL for thyroid hormones to work well

Vitamin D at least above 80nmol, but many find around 100nmol is better

Ferritin at least half way in range

B12 over 500 and folate near top of range

We need to retest vitamins regularly and many/most need to supplement some or all of these virtually continually

As you are gluten free, magnesium is often low too

Leaky gut is extremely common hypothyroid problem

50mcg Levothyroxine is only a starter dose. Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase and Levothyroxine dose increase in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 in top third of range

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

The initial recommended dose is:

For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.

* This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.

Most of us find 3-4 weeks is too soon. 6-8 weeks gives better result

Are you still taking T3 or did you abandon it?

You need vitamins optimal FIRST. just increasing Levothyroxine initially, perhaps more suitable at moment

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Only test after 6-8 weeks at CONSTANT dose

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

• in reply toSlowDragon6 years ago

I took a look at my blood work results and found that my

D is 27 (30-149)

B12 is at 570pg/ml. (247-911)

My thyroid peroxidase antibodies is at .8 (<9.)

My TSH is at 1.93uiu/ml (.40-5.uUI)

My free Thyroxine is 1.1ng/DL (.8-1.6)

My free triiodothyronine is 3.1PG/ML (2.0-4.4 PG/ML)

My ferritin is at 114 NG/ML (6-250 NG)

I don’t think I was tested for folate.

For these tests I was off of my t3 for about 5 days, and held my t4 for 24hrs prior.

I stopped taking the t3 for now, but continue to take the low dose t4.

I think I’d like to do what you said and fix my vitamin D deficiency and leaky gut first, and then try to slowly bump up my t4. What do you think about my thyroid levels? Do they look to be at an adequate level?

I am so thankful that you explained the importance of my vitamin levels for my thyroid health. My gp does not generally like to test for vitamin D because of the cost, but she agreed to due to my new autoimmune disease.

I have been reading research on the correlation between patients with a significant vitamin D deficiency, and autoimmune diseases. I wish doctors realized the importance of these vitamins, so we could try to prevent autoimmune disease from occurring.

It sounds like we caught mine very early, and I am very thankful for that.

I really appreciate all of your help.

Thank you very much.

SlowDragonAdministrator• in reply to6 years ago

Please add the ranges on these results. (You can edit the reply)

Each lab has different ranges, so we always need ranges

Thyroid tests are absolutely meaningless unless you are on constant dose of hormone replacement for minimum of 6-8 weeks before test

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test

• in reply toSlowDragon6 years ago

I added the ranges next to my results. Thank you for your help.

SlowDragonAdministrator• in reply to6 years ago

Suspect your vitamin D measured in ng/ml

Are you not in the UK ?

UK vitamin D is measured in nmol

How to convert between the two

endmemo.com/medical/unitcon...

Currently your B12 is pretty good

Improving vitamin D can increase our needs for B vitamins

drgominak.com/vitamin-d/

So you may need to start Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Recommended brands on here are Igennus Super B complex. (Often only need one tablet per day, not two). Or Jarrow B-right

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Thyroid results are inaccurate as you stopped T3 for 5 days before testing. It might well have been too high

• in reply toSlowDragon6 years ago

No, I’m not in the UK. I’m in the US. Sadly the doctors I’ve seen here don’t seem to be as versed in this area of medicine.

I’m finding that I have to do a lot of the research myself. So I am very thankful for this group.

That is really good to know about the vitamin B. I think I took it the day before my tests. Also the B complex I am taking has folate as folate acid.

Do you know if vitamin K is necessary for the higher vitamin D supplements to work? I’ve read conflicting reviews on that.

Thank you so much for all of your help

SlowDragonAdministrator• in reply to6 years ago

Calcium levels naturally rise as vitamin D levels improve

Vitamin K2 Mk7 apparently helps the increased calcium go to bones not clogging up arteries

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

 betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

Do NOT supplement any vitamin K if you take any blood thinning medication

drsinatra.com/vitamin-k2-su...

Vitamin C and bones

healthimpactnews.com/2018/d...

The importance of sunshine

outsideonline.com/2380751/s...

Magnesium and vitamin D

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

healthy-holistic-living.com...

• in reply toSlowDragon6 years ago

Thank you so much for all of these articles. I have a lot of work to do on my vitamin health.

I really appreciate all of you help

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