Advice on latest TSH results & High vitB12-take... - Thyroid UK

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Advice on latest TSH results & High vitB12-take PPIs for acid reflux....

DizzLizzie profile image
6 Replies

Hi

Would welcome your thoughts on my latest TSH and whether my sluggish, low energy, weight gain, constant bloated stomach, brain fog, bad short term memory and fungal rash on breasts-Is it all hypo symptoms or B12 deficiency masked by the taking of PPI Omaprazole for hiatus hernia and acid reflux. Is the PPI causing mis-absorption of vitamins and minerals?? All in all feel pretty rubbish at the moment, even my acid reflux is really bad during the night, but no doubt the sudden weight gain has caused this...

The weight gain is all on my stomach from under my breasts down- with a 8.5 months pregnant look on top of skinny legs. Some weight gain on back and my face has gone rounded!

Started with tinnitus about the same time as the hypo diagnosed- but still have it- did think it was better when I was on 75mcg but cant be sure, now on 50 due to my TSH dropping to 0.01.

Also had calf cramp nearly every morning for the last few weeks.

Have been on PPI, Beta blockers for migraines and astrovastatin that was 8.3 chl, now 4.2 with the statin.

Family history of HYPO -mum, aunt, sister. (P.S sister's GP says she would like her TSH at just below 1)

----------------------------------------

My Folate was 9.7 in 2014 but now 4.5, but told "is within range so normal...."

Ashamed to say it- but have a hoarding problem, want to sort all the piles of stuff and papers but cant seem to get my head round it all...cant make the decision and don't want to throw things away unless they are rubbish..

Eventually diagnosed with Hypo over a year ago, and was on 25, then 50 then 75 Levo. Results of TSH were 0.01 so put me down to 50 Levo, which I have been on for the last 4-5 months.

Previously tested negative for coleic and TPO,

VitD "really low" -was 24 @ Mar 2019-)so on 6 weekly dose, now on monthly top up, then to buy my own- any recommendations?

Feeling so bad went to GP- did full bloods (he wouldn't do Vit D again and only TSH "as that is the only one that counts"

(Taking the advice from the forum my bloods were drawn at 9am, didn't take the levo till after the test and was only drank water and no food before it)

The results just in-The results say borderline- speak to GP-so will be speaking on Monday

Urea and electrolytes

Serum sodium level 143 mmol/L [133.0 - 146.0]

Serum potassium level 4.5 mmol/L [3.5 - 5.3]

Serum urea level 5.6 mmol/L [2.5 - 7.8]

Serum creatinine level 76 umol/L [45.0 - 84.0]

Bone profile

Serum calcium level 2.22 mmol/L [2.2 - 2.6]

Serum inorganic phosphate level 1.22 mmol/L [0.8 - 1.5]

Serum alkaline phosphatase level 92 IU/L [30.0 - 130.0]

Serum albumin level 42 g/L [35.0 - 50.0]

Serum adjusted calcium concentration 2.28 mmol/L [2.2 - 2.6]

Serum total protein level 67 g/L [60.0 - 80.0]

Liver function tests

Serum alanine aminotransferase level 25 U/L [0.0 - 34.0]

Serum total bilirubin level 7 umol/L [< 21.0]

Serum C reactive protein level 4 mg/L [0.0 - 5.0] Serum vitamin B12 level 965 ng/L [197.0 - 771.0] Above high reference limit Interpretation of haematinics: tinyurl.com/BiochemInfo

eGFR using creatinine (CKD-EPI) per 1.73 square metres 74 mL/min/1.73 m*2

Serum ferritin level 62 ug/L [30.0 - 150.0]

Serum folate level 4.5 ug/L [> 3.9]

Fasting sample preferred. Recent folate or high dose biotin intake may mask deficiency.

Serum TSH level 3.8 mU/L [0.27 - 4.2]

Aim for TSH towards the bottom of the reference range for T4

replacement in primary hypothyroidism, targeting to around 1.0mU/L for symptomatic patients.

Advice on requesting and interpreting TFTs on Lab Med website Refer to tinyurl.com/BiochemInfo for further information

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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Serum TSH level 3.8 mU/L [0.27 - 4.2]

Aim for TSH towards the bottom of the reference range for T4 replacement in primary hypothyroidism, targeting to around 1.0mU/L for symptomatic patients.

As the result clearly show.....you are under medicated and need 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

What brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking.

See GP for 25mcg dose increase.

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Best to not be prescribed 75mcg tablet....but either 50mcg plus 25mcg or 50mcg and cut another 50mcg in half

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients.

Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.

Teva info

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap. Some like calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or any PPI, vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

High B12 result can be misleading.

Presumably not been supplementing B12?

You can have functional B12 deficiency. Unable to utilise B12

Improving other B vitamins may help

Your folate is low

Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Igennus Super B complex are nice small tablets. Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks

Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

Your calcium is low.....this suggests your vitamin D may be too low again. Calcium naturally rises once vitamin D is at good level

How much vitamin D have you been taking?

Recommend getting vitamin D tested via NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

GP will only prescribe vitamin D to bring levels to 50nmol. But improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol may be better

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function

It’s trial and error what dose we need, when hypothyroid we frequently need higher dose than average....2000iu or possibly more per day

Local CCG guidelines

clinox.info/clinical-suppor...

Government recommends everyone supplement October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...

Bloating and acid reflux are common hypothyroid symptoms

Usually due to LOW stomach acid

PPI is to treat high stomach acid.

Same symptoms....very different treatment, but you can’t just stop a PPI

Getting levothyroxine dose increased and vitamins optimal should help

Read up about low stomach acid

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

healthygut.com/articles/3-t...

naturalendocrinesolutions.c...

Thousands of posts on here too

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Strictly gluten free diet frequently helps too

Only make one change at a time, otherwise you can’t see what’s helping

Getting FULL thyroid testing 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Lastly....

Levothyroxine should always be taken empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

DizzLizzie profile image
DizzLizzie in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you for your reply, will make sure they up the dose and get the separate 25mcg.

Will do a private VitD test but will mention my calcium level to the doctors. I actually thought my Vit D was low as noticed I was finding going up the stairs, especially the first step difficult and getting up from a chair or toilet seat.

Thought it was being in my late 50s last time but what a difference when I started on the prescribed vitd.

Currently on a monthly 25000 from GP,

The result after the booster result was 19 sep and was 60, the range being over 51. Note from testing lab does say over 50 for optimal bone health.

My folate in September was 5.4 and down to 4.5 in 4 months.

VitB12 always higher than range but told it is ok as kidneys and FBC are normal.

Haven’t been taking any VIt supplements, so will start taking one to see if it improves my energy. Often feel sleepy when eating.

My blood sugar test came back at 39 which is probably 1 point off being pre-diabetic.

Always strict about taking my Levo early with only water and an hour before eating and tea and coffee.

Will read up on low acid but sure I don’t have that.

Have found a splash of Bragg’s cider vinegar in sparkling water does flatten and soften my bloated stomach which is as tight as a drum skin and huge especially after eating

Thank you

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to DizzLizzie

Apple cider Vinegar (with mother) is one of the options to improve low stomach acid ....so the fact you found it helpful suggests low stomach acid

Other treatments are slippery elm or Betaine HCL

Thousands of posts here mentioning stomach acid

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

NHS only obligated to treat low vitamin D up to 50nmol. But that’s not OPTIMAL level, improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol may be better

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Frequently members on here find vitamin D mouth spray by Better You works more effectively as it avoids poor gut function (particularly relevant in your case)

Folate is low

My own experience was I always had above range B12 despite never supplementing.....until I started supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex that had folate in to improve low folate

Many of us have MTHFR gene variation....meaning we need folate, not folic acid

m7-cola profile image
m7-cola

You’ve received a comprehensive reply from Slow Dragon so the only thing for me to add concerns PPI. This medication reduces stomach acid and some of your symptoms indicate a lack of it.

DizzLizzie profile image
DizzLizzie in reply to m7-cola

Thanks for your reply, unfortunately my acid must be high going by the symptoms.

Can even get acid indigestion if I haven’t eaten- will discuss with GP as currently very bad and having to supplement with Gavison tablets to deal with excess acid, and sleeping in a raised position to stop the horrid choking and reflux.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to DizzLizzie

Most GP’s are clueless about low stomach acid causing virtually identical symptoms to high stomach acid

How to test for low stomach acid

healthygut.com/articles/3-t...

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