Vitamins/supplements

[morning6]

New onto thyroxine with an enlarged thyroid under active, I just want to know what vitamins and supplements I should take to help me on this journey. Thank you.

[fuchsia-pink]

Welcome to the forum

Full testing is - TSH, free T4, free T3, thyroid antibodies and key nutrients - ferritin, folate, vit D and B12.

Your GP may test them all - I have had some success by saying that these are the tests recommended by Thyroid UK, but vit D is the hardest for me to get and sometimes people find the labs just won't do the tests the GP orders, so LOTS of people here do private testing. You will see lots of posts about private tests; some discounts are available via the Thyroid UK site

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

morning6

You wont know what vitamin supplements to take, and you shouldn't take any, until you test Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin. Post results, with reference ranges, plus units of measurement for Vit D and B12, on the forum for further comment and suggestions as to whether you need to supplement and at what dose.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?

How long on this dose?

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

First thing is, do you have any actual vitamin and thyroid test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

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 if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Thyroid levels should be tested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in levothyroxine (or brand change in levothyroxine)

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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

[morning6 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks very much, very informative and a great help going forward.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Hypothyroidism can develop as complication after breast cancer treatment

cancernetwork.com/view/hypo...