Vit D Levels: When I was originally diagnosed as... - Thyroid UK

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Vit D Levels

Countrykitten profile image
8 Replies

When I was originally diagnosed as Hypo my GP rang me to say my vit D levels were ' dangerously low' and she sent a loading dose to me within the hour. I don't know the actual level because I was new to all this then.

I have been taking a D3 supplement (3000IU in winter, 1000 in summer) and assumed I was OK now. I recently had to have some blood tests for an unrelated condition and was surprised to see that my serum Vit D results were 67 nmol/L, within the range 'adequate for most people' (50-75) Is this adequate for a 75 year old Hypo ( who also has Osteopenia)?

I usually take my supplements with breakfast as I usually have egg and/or avocado on buttered toast so plenty of fat to help absorb vit D.

Any advice much appreciated.

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Countrykitten
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Countrykitten

Do you also take D3's important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-mk7.

Magnesium is needed as it helps the body convert D3 into it's usable form.

As D3 aids uptake of calcium from food, Vit K2-mk7 is needed to direct the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissue where it can be deposited and cause problems. As you have osteopenia you would very likely benefit from K2-mk7.

What form of Vit D do you take - tablets, capsules, oil based softgels, oral spray? Tablets and capsules are the least absorbable, oil based softgels are very good and some people find the oral spray very good.

Do you take your D3 4 hours away from thyroid meds (no need if using oral spray). Magnesium also needs to be taken 4 hours away from thyroid meds (no need if topical magnesium).

Gcart profile image
Gcart in reply to SeasideSusie

Susie is Cod liver oil a good D vit to use ?

My nearest health shop is miles away

and need an interim substitute

Thanks

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Gcart

You have to be careful with cod liver oil, it can have high amounts of Vit A.

My nearest health shop is over 50 miles away, I wouldn't use the popular high street one anyway.

You can find much better quality supplements online.

Gcart profile image
Gcart in reply to SeasideSusie

Thanks Susie. Guess I’ll get there when theses gales go through 👍

Countrykitten profile image
Countrykitten in reply to SeasideSusie

Thanks for advice. I've ordered some K2-mk7, but don't know which form of Magnesium I should go for. Any suggestions please?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Countrykitten

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 magnesium as tablets/capsules, no necessity if using topical forms of magnesium.

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

drjockers.com/best-magnesiu...

afibbers.org/magnesium.html

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Low vitamins suggest under medicated

Low vitamin levels often result in low TSH

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Do you have hashimoto’s?

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

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

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

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 you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way through range

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

Osteoporosis can be linked to low Ft3

thyroidpatients.ca/2018/07/...

Chippysue profile image
Chippysue

The vitamin d3 and k2 supplements that you can take and type of magnesium, zinc etc that are all important are better advised by a nutritionist - whereabouts do you live?

Your vitamin d is far too low

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