I don’t know whether this is the right place to post or what...
I feel as though I’m showing symptoms of under active thyroids but I don’t know whether this is the right time to get tested or even ask my local gp to get tested...(considering the Covid 19)
What should I do?
Yes, GP may only want phone consultation initially
Do you have any close family with any thyroid or other autoimmune diseases?
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
Ask GP to test thyroid including thyroid antibodies and 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 .
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
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 antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.
So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...
Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
Come back with new post once you get results
Results came back normal- is it possible that the thyroids were undetected?
Will have to go fill out a form At the gp to get exact results.
My mother and aunty have rheumatoid athritis/ two of my aunties, an uncle and cousins have under active thyroids.
GP rarely tests more than a TSH, which is completely inadequate
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.....or ask that they are posted to you in current virus situation
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
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
Hi,
Just Received My results in the post... I assume they are normal!
2020
TSH - 1.4 ( 0.3 - 5.0)
Vitamin B12 - 358 ng/L (220.0- 700.0)
Folate - 6.5 ug/L (2.6 - 17.3)
Ferritin - 22 ug/L (10.0 - 420.0)
2017
T4 - 14 pmol/L (9.0 - 25.0)
TSH - 0.96 Miu/L (03. - 5.0)
Many thanks,
Maymoonah
B12, folate and ferritin all low and likely causing symptoms
Low vitamin levels frequently linked to Hashimoto’s
Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate
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
So you also need vitamin D tested
Very easy test via NHS postal kit
GP highly unlikely to agree to test thyroid antibodies
NHS also 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 .
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Medichecks full thyroid test including antibodies (but not vitamins)
medichecks.com/products/thy...
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin
medichecks.com/products/thy...
Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays
Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Blue Horizon Full thyroid test but not including vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
folate and B12 are both low. This often linked to low vitamin D
Suggest you get vitamin D tested first
Meanwhile perhaps consider taking a daily good quality vitamin B complex . This will improve low folate and low B12
Ideally a vitamin B complex, with folate in not folic acid
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 (Or even half a tablet for first week) after breakfast.
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...
Low ferritin
As GP for full iron panel testing for anaemia
Are you vegetarian or vegan?
Assuming you are male looking at ferritin range ?
I’m female, 21, omnivore, Asian British and I feel like I sleep all the time.
What is the test for anaemia called?
Is there a way to post a picture of results?
So vitamin D is likely very low...unless you supplement
nice.org.uk/guidance/ph56/c...
People with darker skin are at increased risk of deficiency as their skin is less efficient at synthesising vitamin D. In other words, they need to expose their skin to sunlight for longer to make the same amount of vitamin D as people with paler skin. People of African, African-Caribbean and South Asian family origin, and those who remain covered when outside, are at particular risk. Almost 75% of Asian adults may have low vitamin D status in the winter
surrey.ac.uk/news/concern-o...
GP will often only prescribe to bring Vitamin D levels to 50nmol.
Some CCG areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol
leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...
Or advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol
mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...
Deficient is under 25nmol and requires loading dose
Loading dose vitamin D is 300,000iu over 6-8 weeks.thats typically 5000iu per day for 8 weeks or 7000iu per day for 6 weeks. Important to get levels retested at end of prescription
ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...
Thank you so much; really appreciate it.
Should I get my antibodies tested or leave it?
Suggest you seeGP to discuss anaemia and possibly needing iron supplements
Push GP to test vitamin D as you are in high at risk group
Work on improving all four low vitamin levels for minimum of 2-3 months
Then consider testing FULL thyroid and vitamin levels via Medichecks or other private options
Improving vitamin levels frequently dramatically improves thyroid function
Come back with new post once you get vitamin D result from GP or via postal kit
Plus say what GP has prescribed for low iron
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
Links about iron and ferritin
irondisorders.org/Websites/...
GP won’t give me time of day.
Previous Vitamin D level in September 2017 was 23nmol/L - is that considered low?
Yes extremely deficient and GP should prescribe LOADING dose
Deficient is under 25nmol and requires loading dose
Loading dose vitamin D is 300,000iu over 6-8 weeks.thats typically 5000iu per day for 8 weeks or 7000iu per day for 6 weeks. Important to get levels retested at end of prescription
ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...
GP will often only prescribe to bring levels to 50nmol.
Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol
leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...
Or advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol
mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...
But improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing 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. There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7
As high risk having dark skin you likely need to supplement all the time
Government recommends everyone supplement October to April
gov.uk/government/news/phe-...
Also read up on importance of magnesium and vitamin K2 Mk7 supplements when taking vitamins
betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...
medicalnewstoday.com/articl...
livescience.com/61866-magne...
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
Magnesium citrate: mild laxative, best for constipation.
Magnesium taurate: best for cardiovascular health.
Magnesium malate: best for fatigue – helps make ATP energy.
Magnesium glycinate: most bioavailable and absorbable form, non-laxative.
Magnesium chloride: for detoxing the cells and tissues, aids kidney function and can boost a sluggish metabolism.
Magnesium carbonate: good for people suffering with indigestion and acid reflux as it contains antacid properties.
Worst forms of magnesium: oxide, sulphate, glutamate and aspartate.
Vitamin K2 mk7
betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...
healthline.com/nutrition/vi...
Vitamin D and Covid
Research suggests low vitamin D is clinically significant
Vitamin D supplementation was safe and it protected against acute respiratory tract infection overall. Patients who were very vitamin D deficient and those not receiving bolus doses experienced the most benefit.
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Low vitamin D and low B vitamins may be linked as explained here
drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...
In YouTube video when Dr Gominak talks about vitamin D levels ...vitamin D at 40ng/ml (USA units) is equal to 100nmol (UK units)
Thank you; that’s been extremely helpful!
Thought I’d share symptoms I’m currently having:
Weight gain and difficulty losing it (completed fitness boot camps and slimming world and yet it’s increasing)
I’ve developed a stutter
Dark underarms and inner thighs
Irregular periods
Body aches - back especially.
Tiredness
Cold all the time
Numbness and tingling in hands, feet and legs
Thinning hair and dry hair
Leg cramps during the night
Depressive episodes
Constipation
And very recently light headed ness and dizzy ness
I have been going to and from the doctors with period irregularity/ heavy ness and Numbness and tingling in hands, feet and legs.
If I increase all vitamin levels and iron would that decrease the above symptoms?
Well it should certainly help
Vitamin D isn’t a vitamin at al, but an essential pro-hormone and vital to have good levels
Iron is extremely important for good health
Anaemia can really badly affect people
Ask for full testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting on any B vitamins
Low B12 symptoms
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
Also request coeliac blood test ....gluten intolerance can affect vitamin absorption from food
Ferritin top of range is usually up to 200 for females and up to 400for males
Full blood count shows
Low MCH = anaemia
medicalnewstoday.com/articl...
Mean cell volume just one point from bottom of range - suggests anaemia
medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/m...
Do you have heavy periods? Obviously can be contributing to low iron levels
Heavy periods are common when hypothyroid too
High cholesterol linked to hypothyroidism
nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...
If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.
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