I really need to reduce my supplements for several reasons. For one, I am feeling increasingly nauseous and unsettled in my system after I take the myriad level of supplements I'm currently taking. I know it's the supplements, because when I don't take them, I don't feel like this. I always have them near meal times to avoid this, but no luck there. Also, the cost is getting out of hand.
As I avoid gluten, soya, iodine supplementation and have minimal dairy, I have to buy the ridiculously expensive products, and as a multivitamin does not seem to be recommended, my cupboard is bursting at the seams.
All in all, I'm fed up of spending so much time swallowing huge gag inducing capsules of supplements just to feel icky in the hope of being or feeling euthyroid.
I know Selenium, B12, zinc, D and C are important, and possibly magnesium. I am now taking iron as I am on the lower end of normal range and my hair has been getting significantly thinner with minor loss.
Can I get away with just the above, rather than taking A-Z vits/minerals bar iodine? I am so hoping I can, as I'm struggling with downloading and financially purchasing all the others.
My GP doesn't think I need to take anything else apart from thyroid meds, but I know that's not the case.
Why are multivitamins not recommended? I must have missed that. I take Life Extension Two Per Day, although it wouldn't suit you because it has iodine.
I also take Nature's Answer vitamin D drops and Seeking Health Magnesium Malate powder, both of which are cheaper and easier to take than capsules. The malate is recommended to be taken early (I take it with lunch) as it isn't helpful for sleep like other forms of magnesium.
Thank you, anything easier to swallow I'm all for. I have read on this forum that multivitamins aren't adequate, plus I can't find suitable ones without iodine.
You shouldn't be taking a multivitamin anyway for all sorts of reasons.
* If your multi contains iron, it will block the absorption of all the vitamins - you won't absorb a single one! Iron should be taken at least two hours away from any other supplement except vit C, which is necessary to aid absorption of iron, and protect the stomach.
* If your multi also contains calcium, the iron and calcium will bind together and you won't be able to absorb either of them.
* Multi's often contain things you shouldn't take or don't need : calcium, iodine, copper. These things should be tested before supplementing.
* Multi's often contain the cheapest, least absorbable form of the supplement : magnesium oxide, instead of magnesium citrate or one of the other good forms; cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin; folic acid instead of methylfolate; etc. etc. etc.
* Multi's do not contain enough of anything to help a true deficiency, even if you could absorb them.
* When taking several supplements, you should start them individually at two weekly intervals, not all at once as you would with a multi. Because, if you start them all at once, and something doesn't agree with you, you won't know which one it is and you'll be back to square one.
With a multivitamin, you are just throwing your money down the drain, at best, and doing actual harm at worst. Far better to get tested for vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin, and build up your supplementation program based on the results.
All excellent points, especially testing which you are so right to recommend elsewhere in this thread.
While the multi I take doesn't contain iron, cyanocobalamin or folic acid (it has methylcobalamin and L-5 methyltetrahydrofolate calcium salt instead), it does contain magnesium oxide which I'd rather it didn't, but the amount is only 100mg.
I think the phrase "perfect is the enemy of good" might apply - I certainly wouldn't take all the micronutrients in it individually. I must say after I started taking it a flaking skin problem on my nose improved noticeably.
It's good to hear that multis are being reassessed, maybe we'll get one with no questionable ingredients which is aimed at clued in people.
it does contain magnesium oxide which I'd rather it didn't, but the amount is only 100mg
Strange reasoning. Because the upshot is that you're not getting any magnesium - unless you take a good one separately. And magnesium is the element you're most likely to need.
Plus, you said it contained iodine, which you really shouldn't be taking. How about calcium and copper? Does it contain those?
And, what about the quantities? Are they even worth taking?
It's good to hear that multis are being reassessed, maybe we'll get one with no questionable ingredients which is aimed at clued in people.
I really cannot see how that is possible, because we're all so different and cannot all have the same needs. We need different things in different quantities. It all seems so pointless, to me, clued up or not.
Calcium is not listed as a nutrient but the ingredients include calcium ascorbate, L-5-methyltetrahydrafolate calcium salt and D-calcium pantothenate, so like many other supplements there is a little in there.
No copper.
Quantities: apart from magnesium the lowest % daily value is manganese at 67% or 2mg, which some people regard as too much when intake from food is no taken into account. All the other % daily values (where they exist) are 100% or higher.
There are 27 nutrients listed, and unless one has to avoid one or more of them, a multi may be the only practical way of supplementing them all. If any quantity is too low, one can take more separately (still many less capsules and £ than taking everything separately).
But, who says you need to supplement them all? As I said above, more is not better, and can be dangerous. Things will only help you if you need them.
Taking the 100% RDV is not going to help a deficiency anyway. It's like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in the bottom, you never can. So, it all comes down to testing again, to see if you need these things and if you're getting enough of them.
What is important is what you need. More isn't better - in fact, with some thing, more can be dangerous. Presumably, before starting on any supplements you got your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested, and supplemented accordingly. Have you had récents tests to see how it's going?
Basically, if you are hypo, and on thyroid hormone replacement, no amount of supplements are going to give you optimal thyroid function. In fact, your thyroid is probably totally out of the equation. But, you do need optimal nutrients for your body to be able to efficiently use the hormone you're giving it. And, being hypo, those nutrients are likely to be low. Hence the supplements.
I know Selenium, B12, zinc, D and C are important, and possibly magnesium.
Well, yes and no. Selenium and vit d are amongst those that can be toxic if you take too much. So, you need to keep an eye on vit D levels. And, with selenium, you need to take a little break from time to time, so that too much doesn't build up in your body.
Magnesium, vit C and B12 are very necessary, and excess will be excreted. But, even so, no point in taking too much.
Then, of course, you have to think about the co-factors. If you are taking B12, you also need to take a B complex to keep the Bs balanced, as they all work together. But, if your B12 isn't too low, you could get away with just taking a B complex.
With vit D, you need absolutely to take vit K2-MK7, because taking vit D increases the absorption of calcium from food, and K2 directs it into the bones and teeth, so that it doesn't build up in the soft tissues, causing problems. You also need magnesium because Vit d and magnesium work together.
So, it's a little more complicated that just how few supplements can you get away with. But I'm curious as to what else you could possibly be taking. And why. Each supplement fills a specific need. So, you have to question whether or not you do actually need them.
Also, it sounds like something you're taking doesn't agree with you. And, as there are quite a few things, you don't know which it is. Maybe it would be a good idea to take a break from supplements for a couple of weeks, see how you feel without them, then reintroduce them one by one, leaving a gap of about two weeks between each reintroduction, to find the culprit.
Supplementation is a very individual thing. So, you have to find out what is necessary for you as an individual. And you can only do that by trial and error.
Thanks, I am taking nearly everything under the sun. When I read something may help with thyroid function or candida, which I get, I try it. I know I have a leaky gut so I've started taking probiotics and berberine. I've had berberine in the past and feel ok on it. I think the issues are to do with high potency vits and minerals. I have found iron, B12 and D in spray form, so I'm happy with that. I also take small amounts of copper as apparently that's needed for zinc and zinc to work well together. I stopped taking vit E as it gives me burning prickly heat. I would like to take the private mega vitamin test, but that's not a budget priority, so I'm just trying ones out. I think I'll have a break over Christmas bar iron to see how I fair for a while.
I also take small amounts of copper as apparently that's needed for zinc and zinc to work well together.
Zinc and copper need to be balanced, that's true. But, hypos tend to have low zinc and high copper. So, adding more copper really isn't a good idea without testing first. Excess copper can make you feel really bad.
Ah, that explains why my zinc levels are really low despite taking a supplement. My GP is convinced I'm getting extra copper from somewhere (I'm not). I've trebled my zinc intake recently to try and get the levels up.
I also found my selenium levels to be too high - you really do have to stay on top of all this with tests. It's an absolute nightmare.
Yes, it is all expensive, which is why we have to approach it more scientifically. But, look on the bright side, when you've brought your zinc up a bit, your copper will come down, and then you can take the combined pill. But, I have to say, you should always be wary of combined pills of any sort, they are never a good idea. And, the only exception to that is a B complex - on condition that it only contains B vits.
I think you should, yes. The majority of people are deficient in magnesium because soils are depleted. And, being hypo will make it more difficult to absorb the little magnesium there is. It can't hurt you and could do a lot of good. But, avoid magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium aspartate and magnesium glutimate.
Different forms of magnésium do different things to help.
Why do you have to avoid magnesium oxide? My supplement has both Glycinate and Oxide in it (Best Naturals 425mg). I thought this was a good supplement as it has no allergens.
Not so much that you need to avoid it, but there's no point taking it because it's very badly absorbed. So, you're only getting half the magnesium you think you are from that supplement because they've substituted the good stuff with the cheap stuff. Very dodgy ethics, there. Magnesium oxide is usually used as a filler in pills because it's cheap and inactive.
Hi Maple, I agree and even more after listening to functional doctors who know that you may not absorb the ones you are taking. The trend is to do DNA testing which can tell you which form to take and there can be dozens of forms. They stated that the wrong form of zinc would have to use 15 times the amount to equal the one your body can use. I think selenium may fall into the same category. One expert felt magnesium aspartate may suit everyone but I like glycinate.
Multivitamins are coming back if you listen to functional doctors but you have to use a reputable brand. Garden O Life uses whole foods so something like that might work. I like their B vitamins and they are essential for us if we have gut problems. So a B complex as well as your B12 which I hope is a methylcobalamin unless you know you need adeno or hydroxy. When you take B12 you must also use folate, methylfolate. Your genetic test might say you need a triple dose. I like a DHA for omega 3 and coconut oil or mct for omega 6. Vitamin C is always useful.
I would take a digestive enzyme to help retrieve nutrients from our actual food including iron.
Lately it's been all about toxins and we must detox as our livers are likely overwhelmed. If you could afford a liver cleanse or berberine, this aspect of our supplements really is important. These are just an opinion because I know the dilemma we face.
Hi and thanks! I already am taking berberine for candida, I've tried MCT but had awful allergic reactions to it. DNA testing would be idealic but not a budget priority for me for now. I wish there was a multivitamin I could take, but don't want to take iodine. The only multivitamin without iodine I've found is a German make from Amazon labelled for pregnant women, but some of the dosages are not 100% NRV*.
It really is trial and error figuring out the essentials that you need to personally feel your best (or hopefully a close variation thereof. ) I have to avoid gluten, dairy, and a few other allergens. It definitely isn't easy fitting supplements (free of allergens, in the more absorbable forms) in the budget and still buy the necessities of life; that's for sure.
I have whittled mine down to the bare non-negotiables and it's still too long, in my opinion. But, it is what it is. 🤷
Mine are:
*Magnesium Malate or Glycinate
*Potassium Citrate
*B Complex (methylated form)
*Vit E (natural)
*Selenium Methionine
*Milk Thistle (liver health)
*Vit C
*Zinc
*Digestive Enzymes w/bile
*Probiotic (plant based, if budget allows)
I'm also a firm believer in taking break days. Magnesium and potassium are the only things I don't skip, because my body won't allow it.
**Nausea can be a sign of a struggling liver. You may want to give Milk Thistle a try, while taking a couple of weeks off from the other supplements, to see if you notice any improvements.**
Hi, I take all the above you have mentioned, but I've been talking them for years, I don't really know if they help but like you Ian finding it expensive and just hope another one doesn't crop up to buy.
All you can do is hope that they are helping, I guess if we stopped one or more we would find out, but I am to much of a coward to try that as I am in a lot of pain from taking the Levo ,I stopped taking it at the start of December,but I'm still in pain from taking them , hopefully the new year will be kind to me and lessen the pain, I would tell you , keep taking your tabs and if you don't get any worse , then why stop them , good luck
I am needing to cut back as they are too expensive, and make me feel nauseous... So I have decided to only take the bare minimum. If you are in pain constantly, something isn't right. It could be your meds, vitamins, gluten, or other food intolerances. Pain can be a symptom of autoimmune responses to allergies in the body which can be caused a myriad of things consumed in the body. It is worth trying another thyroid med instead of Levothyroxine, cutting out all your supplements, stop eating gluten, all grains, dairy, nuts, and soya for at least a month and slowly introduce each food group back in one at a time, then your supplements. Believe me this works and if your pain leaves when you are on the elimination diet then comes back when you introduce something back in, you will know it is an autoimmune response to an intolerance. My husband was diagnosed years ago with Lupus an autoimmune disorder which causes chronic pain. Recently, he did all the above after reading the link to gluten and autoimmunity. After a month of the elimination diet, his pain and Lupus symptoms significantly subsided. After taking gluten, soya and some nuts, his pain is now rare and he feels ten times better than he has for years. This is worth doing, it may point out the causes of your pain, but if you do it, you have to be very strict and only reintroduce one thing for a week at a time, otherwise you won't see how you react to each thing.
Sorry, I typed my reply in haste due to lack of time. I meant to say that when my husband stopped eating gluten, soya and some nuts, his pain went away. Apologies
Yes he did, as well as carbohydrates like potatoes, rice, etc. He did this to totally cleanse his system for a month. I actually did it with him, although I already went gluten free. I found I was sensitive to excessive amounts of dairy, gluten free oats and nuts. I was feeling much better until I reloaded with all these high potency supplements, that's why I want to only have the bare minimum I need.
You say theses "meds" make you feel bad and not taking them makes you feel better. So, stop taking them. You can get enough vitamins through the food you eat. Eat more fish, liver, chicken eggs ,cheese and on for B12 & iron, orange juice for Vit C. Oh well, you must know the drill, look it up on the net for what vitamins are provided by what foods. Does it not make (more) sense to spend your money on food rather than pills?
I already eat a healthy varied diet. I cannot eat cheese and yoghurt, as well as nuts. My iron and B12 is on the lower end, so I supplement. A functional doctor recommended all the supplements for different reasons. There is so much info out there stating you need this and that and claiming autoimmune thyroid disorders cannot absorb nutrients well through food only and should supplement. Unless you pay a fortune on a regular basis to privately test for all this, it's not straight forward in getting a true picture how your body is only by possible symptoms.
Hi! Yes, the NHS is free to all, but because our health system is struggling financially for several reasons, many cutbacks have taken place and only minimum testing is done based on symptoms diagnosed by your doctor and deemed absolutely necessary by that doctor. Many doctors here even so called specialists do not take thyroid disease seriously enough and refuse to link symptoms with failing thyroid health. If this wasn't the case, forums like this would not needed. So many of us are having to try and treat ourselves these days. Hope it's better for you in your country!
I'm in America, the land of the Ben Franklin ($100 dollar bill) where everything is represented by money. In other words the same self-treating system as yours (apparently) is now.
Arrh, yes I know something of the U.S system.... I lived in America for six years after I met my American husband. The U.S system is great if you have an excellent insurance company through work or are independently cash comfortable. For those who don't it can be pretty poor from what I've experienced through working in the system. At least with the British National Health Service, everyone is treated the same whether rich or poor, and has free access to most health needs, especially emergency care. For some reason, thyroid care is not a high priority though.
They don't have a money pot for those who have health care, they, the patient, pays for it or gets little, if any, treatment. To this day homeless people die in the streets of America, everyday, If you judge a country as you should, not by it's wealthiest population but by it's poorest, America is in last place concerning health care and, at this particular moment in time, America is also in last place for the content of their POTUS' character because he, Trump, doesn't know what character is and only responds to things that affect himself.
I just take vitamin D spray once a day and selenium & zinc tablets. I feel fine at the moment but I will be getting a blood test after Christmas to check my levels.
Thank you, I was just taking these too until my hair started substantially thinning and so I thought I must be low in iron and possibly biotin. My GP practice won't offer vit/mineral blood tests unless they deem necessary. Private testing is ideal but not in my budget at the moment.
My sister-in-law, who is a doctor who herself suffers from hypothyroidism, recommended magnesium, selenium, and zinc when I was first diagnosed, and later added iodine (e.g. kelp).
Thank you, it seems the ones you mentioned are the most important ones to take apart from iodine. I've read an awful lot of articles stating that iodine should not be supplemented if you are hypo. It looks like I'm going to stick with selenium, zinc, magnesium, D, B12 and iron.
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