Supplement: Hi guys I have low vit D low folate... - Thyroid UK

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Mdegnan42086 profile image
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Hi guys I have low vit D low folate and low vit B12. Can u please recommend a supplement brand to take

Thanks

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Mdegnan42086
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shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

If your B12 is very low, your GP should first check that you don't have Pernicious Anaemia. This is a link to the P.A. Society who will give helpful advice tooL-

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Loads of detailed advice in this previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Have you had levothyroxine dose increased from 100mcg to 125mcg?

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Mdegnan42086 profile image
Mdegnan42086 in reply to SlowDragon

Hi yeah I've increased my levo thanks. My own gp took bloods i don't have pernicious anemia, and my B12 was 288 in a range of 197 too 779 so my Dr say they can't treat me cause I'm within range. I have since had B12 injection from another source. I've bought supplements B12 and K2 Mk7 I have 800 Vit D from previous prescription I had and I also got magnesium oil spray. So fingers crossed I start to feel better within myself. I have trouble with my hair and nails not that it's high on my list of things to fix, but curious if any of you take biotin and how u manage it with Ur thyroid meds. X

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Mdegnan42086

So B12 very low

What are folate and vitamin D results?

Vitamin D

GP will often only prescribe to bring levels to 50nmol.

Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should 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...

If under 50nmol - dose is 1600iu per day for 6 months

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

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with hashimoto’s we frequently need higher dose than average

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...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

When low B12

Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial. This will also help improve hair and nails

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...

B12 injections during Covid crisis

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Are you vegetarian or vegan

academic.oup.com/nutritionr...

The present review of the literature regarding B12 status among vegetarians shows that the rates of B12 depletion and deficiency are high. It is, therefore, recommended that health professionals alert vegetarians about the risk of developing subnormal B12 status. Vegetarians should also take preventive measures to ensure adequate intake of this vitamin, including the regular intake of B12 supplements to prevent deficiency. Considering the low absorption rate of B12 from supplements, a dose of at least 250 μg should be ingested for the best results.3

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)

youtu.be/74F22bjBmqE

Mdegnan42086 profile image
Mdegnan42086 in reply to SlowDragon

Hi so serum folate was 12.60

VitD was 57

Ferritin was 24.7

I had Vit D deficiency last yr and was prescribed D3 800iu ( 20 micrograms) Afterwards I got bloods tested and was told my vitd was ok so I could stop taking them so I did. I'm not vegetarian or vegan. And my GP shows no sign of helping me if my results are within range even though very low. Hense why asking u guys to help me

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Mdegnan42086

GP is only obligated to treat deficiencies

It’s down to us to maintain OPTIMAL Vitamin levels by self supplementing.

Iron and ferritin are complex...you can have low ferritin and high iron

Ideally you would get full iron panel test via GP .....that seems an unlikely option

You shouldn’t supplement iron unless had full iron panel test

To improve low ferritin (without taking any iron supplements)

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

dailyiron.net

Links about iron and ferritin

irondisorders.org/Websites/...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...

restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Mdegnan42086

Vitamin D

GP will often only prescribe to bring levels to 50nmol. Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

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

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with hashimoto’s we frequently need higher dose than average

Mdegnan42086 profile image
Mdegnan42086 in reply to SlowDragon

Hi video was interesting. Alot if words I don't understand lol. But I think what she was saying was taking vit b along with vit d is a good idea as it helps with proper sleep and pain management? So would that mean taking a vit b complex ? And do u think my 800 iu d3 I have is the right amount ? Or is that the amount needed after I get my vit d3 to optimal level ? If so how much daily should I be taking to get from 57 to 75 and how do I know when I've reached optimal? Do I take higher dose for a few months then get tested again then go to smaller dose to maintain? I'm so sorry for all the questions 😔

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Mdegnan42086

Yes. Only start one supplement at a time and then wait at least 2 weeks to assess any reactions

Starting with vitamin D

Mdegnan42086 profile image
Mdegnan42086 in reply to SlowDragon

So don't take my b12 or magnesium oil or k2 or b complex with folate?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Mdegnan42086

Well if you have already started them all carry on

But we always advise on here to only start taking one supplement at time.

Magnesium oil is fine as on skin only

Usually start with vitamin D

Then perhaps add vitamin B complex

Then B12

Then vitamin K2

Mdegnan42086 profile image
Mdegnan42086 in reply to SlowDragon

So still take b12 even though the vit b complex has b12 in it?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Mdegnan42086

Depends...if you have low B12 symptoms like swollen tongue, pins and needles and feeling like walking in moving boat ...yes initially take both ...starting with vitamin B complex ...perhaps adding B12 for a few months

Ideally you should retest vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels 6-8 weeks after you and last vitamin supplement

Come back with new post once you get results

Often you can reduce or slowly stop the B12 and just continue with vitamin B complex .....

Mdegnan42086 profile image
Mdegnan42086 in reply to SlowDragon

Ok thanks very much for help x

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Mdegnan42086

I recommended Doctor's Best D3 in reply to your previous post.

Don't forget you need Vit K2-MK7 when taking D3, I like Vitabay.

Magnesium can't be recommended as you need to know which form of magnesium you need and I gave you links for that. If magnesium citrate is the form you need then I can make a recommendation, but you probably wouldn't take magnesium citrate unless you needed it for it's laxative properties.

No recommendation for B12 or Folate as you need further testing as explained. It's very likely you may need B12 injections, in which case you don't start any folate supplement until after the injections have started.

gialockser4 profile image
gialockser4

Hi! If you want to know more about taking caring of your health with supplement and vitamins, you should read this blog: ohco.com/blog | Cold Snap Supplement. That blog gave me many important and useful health tips, especially in this Covid 19 season. It might also help you find the cure for your Anemia, vitamin B12 and D Deficiencies. Hope it helps and stay safe!

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