Having a quick glance at your profile I notice you have Crohn's which is associated with vitamin D deficiency. We get vitamin D from sunlight. It's two decades since I studied this so I'll be deliberately vague. A precursor to vitamin D is formed on the skin and absorbed into the blood. The liver then makes the next form which is released into the gut, reabsorbed and then made into "1 25 dihydroxycholecalciferol" which is the active form of vitamin D. Sorry about the vagueness but the point is that a healthy gut is needed for optimum vitamin D status.
I would suggest you get a high dose vitamin D supplement. I use Solgar vitamin D3, the highest dose I can find. I would also suggest you get plenty of prudent sun exposure when you can (you have dark skin). If this doesn't raise your vitamin D levels ask your doctor to help you get specialist advice from a gastoenterologist or nutritionist. It's possible that any medication you take, especially for Crohn's, may be interfering with your vitamin D levels. So this is a question for specialist advice. Vitamin D is actually a hormone not a vitamin, it is important both for your symptoms now and long term bone health.
Your other levels are fine although folate is marginal, look into to this if you plan to get pregnant.
Thanks for your in depth reply tailored to my situation - much appreciated. Have ordered some Vitamin D3 from Amazon and will start supplementing as soon as it arrives tomorrow. Interestingly I had a colonoscopy recently and have been told I no longer have Crohn's - I assumed it was down to my change in diet as gastro symptoms I had previously had gone since following the AIP diet - as a result just stopped supplementing to - which I can see was a mistake based on the blood results above.
The Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L and the Vit D Society recommends a level between 100-150nmol/L.
Not all of us make D3 naturally from the sun, I have to supplement at a decent level all year round, currently 5000iu daily.
Is your GP treating you for deficiency?
As you have Hashi's then an oral spray gives best absorption - Better You is one spray many members here use.
Magnesium is needed for D3 to work, it's required to convert Vit D into it's active form. So it's important we ensure we take magnesium when supplementing with D3.
Magnesium 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 if taking tablets/capsules, no necessity if using topical forms of magnesium.
Vit K2-MK7 is needed as 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 such as hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, etc.
D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds if taking tablets/capsules/softgels, no necessity if using an oral spray.
I use an oil based liquid - 3 drops gives the amount required for up to 10,000iu D3
Just scraped over the lower limit. I'd be looking at a good quality B Complex containing 400mcg methylfolate, e.g. Thorne Basic B (1 capsule) or Igennus Super B (2 tablets).
Leave off B Complex for a week before any blood test (not just thyroid) as the biotin affects results if biotin is used in the testing procedure.
**
Ferritin: 44.2 (13 - 150)
You can help raise your level by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, also liver pate, black pudding, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet
Your FT3 is on the low side, TSH is higher than most Hypo patients need it to feel best. How do you feel thyroid-wise? Optimising Ferritin to half way through range is recommended, apparently it needs to be at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work properly.
Thank you SO much for your reply and supplement recommendations.
I have ordered Better You Vitamin D3 Spray, VitaBay Organic Vitamin K2 Drops and Igennus Super B Complex. I've just realised I haven't ordered the Vitamin K2 - is there a preferred one? I did see some sprays come with the Vitamin K2 included - not the one I ordered.
Thyroid-wise, I feel OK. I knew something was up mainly because of my bones and mood. My mood is low - not very low - but I just need to make that extra effort to be 'part of the convo, and laugh when I actually just can't be bothered' alsomy bones is the big thing - It has been hurting to do simple things like turn on the tap and my joint gives way when walking - this happened previously when was low in Vitamin D.
NHS docs authorise Vitamin D test but labs refused as had test in April 2018 (so ridiculous especially as had symptoms) - and was just to low mood wise to go back to GP and go through it all again.
I'm sure when I start my Vitamin D again will feel right as rain
In terms of the FT3 is this where NDT can come into play?
I have ordered Better You Vitamin D3 Spray, VitaBay Organic Vitamin K2 Drops
I've just realised I haven't ordered the Vitamin K2
Did you mean you haven't ordered something else Magnesium perhaps?
Don't start supplements all at the same time, stagger them. Start with one, give it a week or two and if no adverse reaction then add in the second one, give it another week or two and if no reaction add in the next one, etc. By doing it this way, if you do have any reaction you will know what caused it.
In terms of the FT3 is this where NDT can come into play?
Your FT4 is 66% through range, your FT3 is 41% through the range, so not that well balanced so conversion of T4 to T3 could be better. However, optimal nutrient levels are important for this, especially ferritin, so it's important to optimise your low ferritin and Vit D at the moment. Increasing folate level as well. Once these are all optimal then see how your FT4/FT3 results are, they may be better balanced. If FT3 remains low in relation to FT4 then it's possible that the addition of T3 to Levo or changing to NDT may be beneficial.
I will start supplementing with D3 first, then it sounds like it would be wise to introduce magnesium, then K2.
I am concerned about the Super B complex as I have reacted to certain types of vitamin B12 before - the form that is supposed to be better for us. So I will most certainty reintroduce this last.
Will work on optimising nutritional levels and re-test and look at T3 after than.
Hi SeasideSusie, you helped me loads with my questions re metatvive supplement the other day, and I am all sorted now on that, thank you.
Now I am trying to sort out vitamins and supplements as that is another mountain to climb. I am trying to do everything I can to make myself as strong as possible to deal with this illness, as really struggling. And everyone says vitamins is a good way to go. Please can you suggest what you think I should take, and which brands would suit me as I am very sensitive to chemicals and fillers and sweetners.
I also like drops or sprays as I tend to graze so find it difficult to take tablets hours before or after food.
I really liked the look of the VitaBay organic vitamins K2 drops you take, I can see they do a Vit D drop too, what do you think on it as I notice you dont use it.
I know from my blood tests I am low on
Vit D,
B12
iron.
Please can you recommend what I should take for these.
Also should I start taking-
Vit A,
Vit B complex,
Selenium,
Zinc,
magnesium,
amino acids,
folate,
as have read if you have an underactive thyroid you should.
Vitabay Vit D drops and Natures Answer Vit D drops are what I will be looking at when I need to restock with D3. Not sure which yet as I haven't yet compared them.
If your Ferritin is low, eat liver, liver pate or black pudding and other iron rich foods. I'm not able to suggest iron tablets because iron is complicated and you'd need an iron panel to know your serum iron level. If that is already good then taking a iron supplement may take it too high.
As for the rest, if you can start a new thread and post your current levels, including reference ranges and unit's of measurement, then I will do a reply tomorrow. I'm off to bed now.
Will do that, but I have not been tested for the others, I have just read that if you have an underactive thyroid gland then you will need to take supplements for them all. Thank you and sleep well.
Just a general comment to save you money. I would avoid buying lots of supplements as only your vitamin D is low (folate marginal). There's no point going overboard and you run the risk of some supplement making your worse, especailly as you have gut problems. Tackle one issue at a time and then you can see if it makes a difference.
Thanks Jim, I've already placed the order for Vitamin D, K2 and B Complex Tablet - I will be taking Vitamin D first - and see how I get on...will not introduce the others like you say at the moment due to my gut issues. Many thanks for the advice
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