VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS AND BLOOD TESTING

[NIKEGIRL]

Hi. I am going for a blood test in 6 days. When should I stop taking supplements for vitamin d, selenium, zinc, magnesium and B12. I’ve been diagnosed with Graves and have the antibodies. I’m looking to get the most accurate vitamin levels. Do you stop taking vitamins or just continue as normal? Do u go for the blood test in the morning or afternoon and do u fast? Thank you for your time. Kindest regards NIKEGIRL

[pennyannie]

Hey thereagain -

I tend to leave off all supplements for about a week before a blood test :

[NIKEGIRL in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you. Hope u r keeping well. Kindest regards

[pennyannie in reply to NIKEGIRL]

I don't remember not taking my carbimazle before the blood test -

Maybe ask the doctor :

Ditto the sentiments - take care

[NIKEGIRL in reply to pennyannie]

Hi. Thank you for your kind message. I have changed doctors. I have just started taking my carbimazole. 30mg a day. My bloods are awful. I’m off the chart when it comes to measuring T4. My new dr has shown me nothing but kindness and I have promised him I will take the carbimazole. I have had two atrial fibrillation episodes so my body is warning me. Dr has been great. He has said he will test my vitamins including calcium. I can’t ask for more than that. He has said his care of me is not conditional of anything. I might have found a small gem in this doctor. I hope this finds you well and safe. Here in New Zealand Covid is not as bad as the UK. Kindest regards and love as always NIKEGIRL 🥰

[pennyannie in reply to NIKEGIRL]

Oh, I'm so pleased to read that you have found some help and understading :

Yes, it's a difficult time, but just stay with it, and your levels will come back down as your immune system calms down and your stress levels reduce as I hope you try and pace yourself and let go of stuff that's beyond your control.

[NIKEGIRL in reply to pennyannie]

Hi. For me trusting the new dr is all about handing over control and what I said on Thursday was ”hey I trust you and will you be with me all the way”. He said he would. He said he is invested in my health. I am going to a psychologist to sit down and talk about what happened to my children. I definitely have Graves because of emotional trauma. I just wanted to thank you for being so kind. I’m just at the start of this journey. I’m nervous and scared. Kindest regards and love as always NIKEGIRL

[pennyannie in reply to NIKEGIRL]

Hey there - so glad to read this - and so proud of you to have recognised yourself :

We need to mend ourselves, and so glad you have taken these first steps :

Keep us posted

Take good care of " your self " :

Sending a hug - despite the social distancing !!!

P.S. I only started mending myself when I read Elaine Moore's first book and that was around 10 years after my thyroid was ablated with RAI for Graves Disease - it's never too late and I've done well quite well with brown paper and selotape - have you heard of Humpty Dumpty ???

[fuchsia-pink]

Always try and get early morning, fasting blood test [regardless of what the GP or nurse may say], and if you're taking thyroid meds, leave 24 hours from previous dose of levo and 8 - 12 hours form previous dose of lio x

[NIKEGIRL in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Thank you for the advice. I’m on carbimazole. 30mg a day. My bloods are shocking. I’ll abstain from vitamins. What about carbimazole? Do I take that on the day before the test?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

NIKEGIRL

The only one of your supplements that is suggested to be left off is B12 if you want a baseline to see what you are holding on to, in that case you would leave it off for 4-5 months. If you want to know if the dose you are taking is maintaining your level then you continue taking it but on the day of the test take it after the blood draw not before.

All the others, again, you can continue taking them but after the blood draw on the day of the test.

This short video from the NHS lab which does Vit D tests for the public mentions that you can continue taking your Vit D supplement, it's near the end

youtube.com/watch?v=rxGIbHu...(Not working as expected?)

[NIKEGIRL in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you seaside Susie.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Medichecks tell you to lay off the B vitamins for a week before blood tests - it’s always the thyroid extra Vit I do. I carry on taking everything else. My magnesium has B6 so I stop that for a week too.

I do my blood test as early as I can - certainly by 8.00am at the latest and I always do it early on in the week - although I wouldn’t do it this weekend it being a Bank Holiday - I want it moved through the postal system as fast as possible. I always use a home fingerpick test but what I’ve read on here it’s difficult to get an early morning test with your GP.

[NIKEGIRL in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you. Good to know