1st posting

[Cwm_1]

Hi everyone I've been a member for quite a long time but never written anything on the forum does anyone have any thoughts on vitamin supplements? I take levothroxine 100 mg one day 150 mg next day I don't have my results as my surgury never gives them out. Any thoughts please. Thanks.

[Hidden]

It is illegal for them to refuse to give you a (free) copy of your results - printed or by email (as some surgeries can do).

And what vitamin supplements are you especially interested in? Most hypothyroid patients need optimal levels of vitamins and minerals and are often low on ferritin, folate, B12, D2 and a couple of other things (I forget which, but someone else will add)

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

D3

[Cwm_1 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

oops! Yes, D3

[Hidden]

PS are you from Cwm? I grew up very near there!

[Cwm_1 in reply to Hidden]

Not Cwm but in the valleys

[Hidden in reply to Cwm_1]

I was born in Tredegar and brought up in Ebbw Vale. Don't live there now though.

[Cwm_1 in reply to Hidden]

I'm in the Aberare valley not to far from where you were born

[greygoose]

Hi Cwm_1, welcome to the forum.

First of all, a doctor will never just hand you your results - he'd probably prefer you didn't know. As a general rule, doctors hate informed patients! What you have to do is ask at reception for a print-out. It is your legal right to have one, so don't let them fob you off.

Supplements are often necessary because hypos tend to have low stomach acid, and therefore difficulty in digesting and absorbing nutrients. But, you shouldn't take them haphazardly. First of all, get your vit D3, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested - ask your doctor, he might do them when things calm down. Or, get private testing.

Post the results on here, and people will help you devise a programme of supplementation based on the results. You should only take what you need - more is not better - and their cofactors (nutrients that work together, like vit D and magnesium).

Actually, you can take magnesium without testing, because the majority of people are deficient in magnesium, and testing is not helpful. Take around 350 mcg. The type of magnesium you take should be based on what you want it to do:

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.

It's also a good idea to take vit C. Vit C helps with the absorption of a lot of other nutrients, and you can't have too much of that - especially with all that is going on at the moment. You can start with 1000 mg, and work up slowly to gut tolerance.

Other possibilities we can discuss when you've had the basic testing done. But, above all, don't take a multi-vit, because they are just a waste of money, and a very bad idea!

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

Just a thought:

I take levothroxine 100 mg one day 150 mg next day

Why don't you take 125 mcg every day?

[Cwm_1 in reply to greygoose]

That's what I was told to take by my doctor 🙅‍♀️

[greygoose in reply to Cwm_1]

And it never occurred to you to ask him?

Did you read my comments on supplements above? Or did you miss them?

[Cwm_1 in reply to Cwm_1]

I seem to be very lax concerning asking questions of my doctor I need to sort this out thanks

[Cwm_1 in reply to greygoose]

That's very informative thank you x

[greygoose in reply to Cwm_1]

You're welcome.

[Hidden]

Hi there Cwm1, some GP practices really need to get up to speed with the law on access to information. You are legally entitled to your test results and to take the formal route you can send a letter or message headed ' subject access request' and request the relevant results. If you need a template or advice take a look at the website for the UK information commissioner. They have a help line. I can imagine you don't want to fall out with your surgery as we are so reliant on therm so before going down a formal route you could start by just having a polite word and asking your GP or the practice manager for your results. It hardly seems unreasonable for you to know about your own health.

Michael

[Cwm_1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Michael I will do that when things calm down.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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 receptionist 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.

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

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

[Cwm_1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks very helpful