I have extreme tiredness, weight gain ( 3 stone in 2 months), sensitivity to cold, dry skin and brittle hair, muscle aches, joint pain, constipation and bouts of brain fog or very brief memory lapse since January this year. Last GP tests apparently only said B12 deficiency so prescribed 100mcg Cyanocobalamin daily. Previously I was told I was old, fat and unrealistic ( but in medical terms ) because I said going from size 8 jeans to size 14 was not normal. No GP I've seen so far seems to believe I have any of the above symptoms even though they have my weight in Jan as 9st 4lbs and in March as 12st 2lbs. I was offered my choice of antidepressants !! I used to walk 4 miles a day, tend my large garden and an allotment up to May, now I am exhausted getting up, washed and dressed and my feet burn if I walk 50 yards.
Written by
GSDowner
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
High thyroid antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported
In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned
Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.
Vitamin levels need improving
VITAMIN D 41.3nmol/L 50-175
Low vitamin D obviously needs improving and GP should prescribe 1600iu everyday for 6 months
Vitamin D
GP will often only prescribe to bring levels to 50nmol.
Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol
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
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
VITAMIN B12 - ACTIVE 46.4pmol/L >37.5
No folate result?
B12 and folate work together
As you have B12 supplements it’s recommended also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.
This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too
Igennus Super B is good quality and cheap vitamin B complex. Contains folate. Full dose is two tablets per day. Many/most people may only need one tablet per day. Certainly only start on one per day (or even half tablet per day for first couple of 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
With such low B12 result taking a B12 supplement and a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
Thank you. Having read various posts on here I thought it might be Hashimoto's. There is no folate level in my Medichecks results. A GP told me months ago I didn't need Vit D tested as everyone has deficiency so go to Boots and buy some and not to bother about dosage! No mention of magnesium or K2. As for B12 I was told it could be 6 months before any effect from my prescription and no mention of retesting or B complex. I think it would be more sensible and beneficial to follow your advice than any of my GPs and keep on private testing.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Should I accept GP advice for dose reduction?
Can you interpret results please? What other tests should I ask for?
1st endocrinologist appointment. What should I ask for? 
Blood results I need your advice please !!!
