so ive had hashimotos for about 5 years however have recently been diagnosed with vit d, folic acid and b12 levels that are low. after other tests they have found my liver tests are never normal (scan done, nothing found) and i have positive gastric cells pointing towards autoimmune anemia and gastritis.
my issue is, if anyone knows how do they solve this as they have said my body has stopped absorbing my vitamins that i need and also isnt taking in my thyroid medication either as the stomach lining is inflamed from the autoimmune reaction.
the doctors are sending me to the hospital to gastology and endo as they dont know how to deal with it and told me its manageable. is anyone else suffering with both of these as they said not to worry but if i cant even get my thyroid meds in my body then wont it make me ill?
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Emilychazza98
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Low vitamin levels are extremely common with Hashimoto's, especially if under treated and on too small a dose of Levothyroxine
How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?
What are your most recent blood test results and ranges for TSH, FT3 and FT4
Vitamins frequently need supplementing virtually continuously to maintain optimal vitamin levels
We need good vitamin levels for good thyroid function
Can you add your vitamin results and ranges and say what supplements you are taking
Hashimoto's frequently affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid, poor nutrient absorption and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
Sounds as if you have Pernicious Anaemia - having a positive anti-body result - for either Parietal cells or Intrinsic factor. There is a Forum here called PAS where you can read more to help you. Also a website of the same name so please read and learn as much as you can as sadly Docs are ill-informed ...
What was your B12 result ? If low then you will need loading doses of B12 injections and then every three months for life with PA. Are you taking Folate/Folic Acid ? What was your VitD result ? & what are you taking ?
Were you tested for H-Pylori ? - often the cause of gastritis. Are you taking any other meds ?
Depending on the form and dosage, your "folic acid" and vitamin D tablets might not be doing you any good. The body needs to convert folic acid into folate, so you are much better off taking a good Vitamin B complex that contains methylated folate. There is a genetic condition wherein some people are not able to turn folic acid into folate. As for Vitamin D, most doctors prescribe 800 IU and combine that with calcium. To get your blood levels of Vitamin D up to where they belong, you need much larger doses. When first tested, my Vitamin D was only 29 ng/mL (below my lab's range of 30 - 100 ng/mL). Taking the usual dose of Vitamin D only raised me up to 43. Now I take 5000 IU Vitamin D3 with 90 mcg Vitamin K2 MK-7 and my last test was 57. (The K2 MK-7 helps calcium get into your bones instead of being stored in soft tissues.) vitamindcouncil.org/i-teste...
The replies you have received are very informed. I would ask if you can get support for what you describe as health anxiety? As being stressed is the circle we can all get into, when trying to address our health. After endless consultations and being bounced to see different doctors, I have found, like many others, we need to become our own researchers, guides, advocates and healers AND draw on best support we can find from doctors, forums like this, friends and family - but essentially follow our instinct too. I was advised by GP to consult nutritionist, who sent for a range of tests, including confirming Hashimotos and B12, and was tested positive too for SIBO, small intestine bacterial overgrowth. I am now on a FODMAP diet, a vitamin / herbal regime, and have acupuncture and Chinese medicine herbs to support digestion/ thyroid / auto immune etc, but also to balance mental well being. You can, I am told, ask the Gastro consultant to check for SIBO. Can you find a copy of The Sensitive Gut as it is full of advice about using diet o heal the gut to strengthen absorption and immune system. Good luck.
I am amazed by the connection between Hashimotos and gastritis. I have had several episodes diagnosed with endoscopy. Was told to take lansoprasole a PPI. Neither GP or Gastro Consultant have ever made this link. They obviously are unaware.
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