Underactive thyroid update

[Gmanfooty]

Hi all just had results from a private blood test back been on 50 Teva levothyroxine for 10 days now my initial tsh was 17 and freethyroxine T4 10.9 this shows I'm hopfully heading in the right direction I know it's early days still but I have been feeling alot better over last few days. I'm assuming that the antibody level elevated below mean I have hashimotos , are there any special considerations with diet/ lifestyle that need to be taken into account with this? Also in my previous post I mentioned my serum b12 was low at 187( range 197-771) my active b12 on today's results was 68pmol/l( range 37.5-188) and vit d 54.3nmol/l( range50-175) do I need to start supplementing these also? Gp still not bothered about b12! Thanks for input

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ggg1976

Considering it takes 6 weeks for the full effects of starting Levo (and after dose changes) then it really is too early to say anything about your results after 10 days. Particularly as your raised TPO antibodies confirm Hashi's, symptoms and results tend to fluctuate when Hashi's is present.

General information about Hashi's:

Some members have found that adopting a strict gluten free diet can help, although there is no guarantee.

Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks.

You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies.

This is possibly at the root of your low B12 level.

Active B12 below 70 suggests testing for B12 deficiency/pernicious anaemia:

viapath.co.uk/our-tests/act...

Reference range: >70*; * between 25-70 referred for MMA

You have had excellent advice on the PA forum (as well as here) about what to do regarding your B12 level, now you have an Active B12 result that also suggests further investigation. You really need to see another GP who will look into this. It's not something that you can sort yourself with supplements if you need B12 injections.

Did you check the link in my reply to your previous thread about B12 deficiency symptoms?

vit d 54.3nmol/l( range50-175) = 21.72ng/ml

This you can sort out yourself, your GP wont prescribe as it's over 50.

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).

To reach the recommended level from your current level, based on the Vit D Council's suggestions you could supplement with approx 4,000iu D3 daily

vitamindcouncil.org/i-teste...

Retest after 3 months.

As you have Hashi's, for best absorption an oral spray (eg BetterYou) is recommended, or you could use a sublingual liquid (eg Vitabay Organics).

When you've reached the recommended level then you'll need a maintenance dose to keep it there, which may be 2000iu daily, maybe more or less, maybe less in summer than winter, it's trial and error so it's recommended to retest once or twice a year to keep within the recommended range. You can do this with a private fingerprick blood spot test with an NHS lab which offers this test to the general public:

vitamindtest.org.uk/

There are important cofactors needed when taking D3 as recommended by the Vit D Council -

vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

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

Magnesium helps D3 to work. We need Magnesium so that the body utilises D3, 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.

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

thefamilythathealstogether....

drjockers.com/best-magnesiu...

Check out the other cofactors too (some of which can be obtained from food).

Don't start all supplements at the same time. Start with one, leave it 1-2 weeks and if no adverse reaction then add the second one. Continue like this. If you have any reaction then you will know what caused it.

What were your results for folate and ferritin?

[Gmanfooty in reply to SeasideSusie]

Folate was 4.12ug/l range >3.89 ,ferrate was 274ug/l range 30-400 , thanks for taking time to reply

[Gmanfooty in reply to Gmanfooty]

Ferrari I meant to type!

[Gmanfooty in reply to Gmanfooty]

Ferritin even!

[Gmanfooty in reply to Gmanfooty]

Re the b12 I've seen 4 different GPS all saying the same thing

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gmanfooty]

Your ferritin is fine but your folate - even though over the low limit - is on the low side. Possibly tied up with your low B12, folate and B12 work together. I'd want my folate level in double figures when there is just a low limit rather than a range. If there was a range then the recommended level is at least half way through.

[Gmanfooty in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for reply, not too sure what to do in terms of b12/ folate supplementation I don't want to take supplements then give a false reading at next gp blood test, gp just does not seem interested at the moment and I've spoken to 4 different ones at my surgery! Will it b ok to wait until next bloods in 4 weeks then speak to them ?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gmanfooty]

Will it b ok to wait until next bloods in 4 weeks then speak to them ?

It probably wont be a problem but you need to find a way of getting something done about further investigation.