Is my B12 too low

[Trish]

Briefly have been treated for hypothyroidism for 25 years with various medicines. Currently on 1 naturethyroid daily. I know there have been some problems with it but I feel o.k.

I monitor with finger prick blood tests every now and then.

Recent blood results

TSH 0.09 (0.27-4.20)

T4 total 69.3 (66-181)

Free T4 13.1 (12.0-22.0)

Free T3 4.98 (3.1-6.8)

Anti-thyroidyperoxidase 39 (less than 34)

Anti-thyroglobulin 36 (less than 115)

Vitamin D 76 (50-175)

B12 388 (insufficient 145-300)

Serous Folate 9.83 (8.83-60.8)

Ferritin 180.0 (13-150)

CRP 2.18

Vitamin D is the highest it’s ever been (after a good summer with plenty of sun)

Ferritin is always high.

My ability to loose weight has always been my main problem so quite overweight at present, otherwise I am quite healthy.

Problems now are my legs don’t work properly, really ache now after a few minutes walk. Numbness in feet, really bad in left foot. Burning feet, sleep with feet hanging out of bed! I really have to concentrate to put one foot in front of the other and balance is awful.

Looking at the B12 result, is this too low?

I avoid the doctors. But do I need him to investigate these symptoms and rule out some degenerative disease or shall I try some b12 tablets or whatever. If he tests B12 will he think it’s within range and ignore it.

I don’t take any supplements at the moment although I might try D3 during the winter.

I would be grateful for any comments and suggestions.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes both B12 and Folate are low

supplementing 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

Difference between folate and folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

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

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

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.

B12 sublingual lozenges

cytoplan.co.uk/vitamins/vit...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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 .

If/when On NDT make sure to take last third or quarter of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

Ft3 is perhaps a little low

Retest thyroid levels in 6-8 weeks after working on improving low B12 and folate

As you have Hashimoto’s....Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

[Trish in reply to SlowDragon]

No I am not gluten free. I followed all the advice about testing. I think I would find it very difficult to be totally gluten free and considering I usually feel fine when medicated I haven’t gone down that route. Do you think it would make any difference to legs/balance problems. I did experiment with no medication and my TSH shot up so I obviously do need it.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Trish]

See how much symptoms improve once you are taking vitamin B complex, (plus possibly sublingual B12 as well for couple of months)

[userotc]

Is the B12 reading or range shown incorrect or am I missing something? It shows upper range of 300 (yet 388 considered too low)?

[Trish in reply to userotc]

The 145-300 is the range for insufficient. Higher than 300 is considered O.K. But 388 is quite low in that range and I know from reading posts here that anything under 500 might need supplementing.

[userotc]

OK thanks. It seemed different via mobile tel. and I was also unaware they provide a "range" for insufficient rather than a "below" figure. My mum's last reading was 312 ng/l with range provided of 170-730 and we have requested a retest for the reasons youve indicated.