Vitamins

[Abbey21]

I was just wondering if taking vit D can help with hair growth and stronger nails as both my hair and nails break, also I've seen a lot of the people on here have seen an Endo specialist I have never seen anybody like that, and I seem to know more about my thyroid than my GP, I sometimes think it's a waste of time having blood tests done because whatever the results are they always say everything's ok and looking at a print out I have, they're not. I get so frustrated, sorry for moaning 😕but thanks for the help I've received of here

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

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

Have you had vitamins and antibodies tested?

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

Is this how you do your tests?

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and antibodies if not been done

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

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 .

What dose of Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Do you always get same brand of Levothyroxine?

[Abbey21 in reply to SlowDragon]

The dose in on now as from Thurs is 100mcg, its always the same brand, I always take the tab before the blood test, never been told otherwise, I honestly don't know what else they test for I have to have another one in 6 - 8 weeks. I've been underactive for almost 17 years and in all that time I've never had anything explained to me, I just look on Thyroid UK if I want to know stuff (before I found this site) it seems to me that the Dr's are not really bothered, when I went to see him last year about my hair falling out he just asked me what I wanted him to say, so I left, my hairdresser has been more helpful. I'm hoping now my dose has been increased I'll start to feel more normal (whatever that is 😲) , thanks again for the info