Optimal reference ranges for vitamins/nutrients... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,246 members166,506 posts

Optimal reference ranges for vitamins/nutrients, all in one place?

tomranson85 profile image
6 Replies

Hi all, does anyone know if there is a post containing optimal reference ranges for vitamins/nutrients, all in one place? I feel it would be a habdy resource for "at a glance" comparison.

Written by
tomranson85 profile image
tomranson85
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
6 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Well, I've made loads of posts where I list the optimal levels but there isn't a pinned post about it.

Vit D - The Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L (50ng/ml) and the Vit D Society recommends a level of 100-150nmol/L (40-60ng/ml).

Serum B12 - According to an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

Acltive B12 - below 70 suggests testing for B12 deficiency, over 70 is therefore suggested to be adequate. Personally, I like to see my Active B12 over 100.

Ferritin - It's said that for thyroid hormone to work properly (that's our own as well as replacement hormone) ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range. I've seen it said that 100-130 is good for females and 150 is good for males.

Of course, doctors don't get much tuition about nutrients so we don't expect them to understand "optimal", they just seem to think that anywhere in range is fine.

tomranson85 profile image
tomranson85 in reply toSeasideSusie

Hey SeasideSusie, good to hear from you again :) many thanks for that really useful collection of info. Perhaps this post could be adjusted+pinned as it's a helpful resource?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply totomranson85

There are only so many pinned posts allowed by HealthUnlocked, I think because this is discussed so frequently it wouldn't take precedence over the other important ones already pinned.

tomranson85 profile image
tomranson85 in reply toSeasideSusie

Ah fair enough, I wasn't aware of that. Not to worry, but many thanks for posting it for my benefit :)

nosydney profile image
nosydney in reply toSeasideSusie

Thanks for this, really useful. There have been so many numbers buzzing around my head in the last few months, it's good to have them all together. One thing is clear, my levels for ferritin, Vit D and Vit B12 haven't been anywhere near optimal for a very long time!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

I like to look here:

ods.od.nih.gov/

That is, the USA's Office of Dietary Supplements. For quite a number of substances they have both general, member of the public, information and a "professional" sheet.

Reason I like going there is that they usually give reasonably comprehensive information, explanations of levels, doses, forms - and links to sources.

Like all "official" sources, it pays to be aware of their limitations but probably better than those who have products to sell. And you need to remember that the USA sometimes uses different units, words, etc.

For those who prefer their information in Spanish, that too is an available option!

SeasideSusie

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

all in one vitamins

when i had my b12 injection a couple weeks ago i asked the nurse as i was getting older and when i...
shezz profile image

Optimal ranges in pregnancy?

Hello I've just had a long long awaited positive pregnancy test after our second round of IVF. I...
Cmat profile image

TSH Reference Ranges in the USA

We keep seeing claims that the top of the TSH range in the USA is 3.00. (And that “they” start...
helvella profile image
Administrator

Another paper acknowledging deficiencies in using reference ranges as fixed for all patients

Here is another paper with interesting conclusions for those who don't get on ell using diagnosis...
diogenes profile image
Remembering

Mums results with reference ranges. Appreciate all your help.

Thanks do much to everyone for all your assistance last week. You were all so helpful and I've...
lauralaura13 profile image