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.
Written by
Countrykitten
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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).
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.
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
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 )
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.
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?
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