Best prenatal vitamins to take when hypo? - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

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Best prenatal vitamins to take when hypo?

robynrose67 profile image
8 Replies

Hi all, I'm currently trying to conceive. I have an underactive thyroid and take Levothyroxine. Just wondered if you can recommend any prenatal vitamins that have worked best for you? I know you have to leave at least 4 hours between taking Levo and prenatal vitamins.

Thank you.

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8 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

I will add in some good information from Thyroiduk.org.uk about pregnancy. Some people might miscarry if hypothyroid, so I'll give you a link of how best to look after yourself and baby.

thyroiduk.org/?s=pregnancy&...

Just in case you are unaware of the procedure we should follow - to get the most accurate results -

Always get the earliest appointment - even if you have to book the test weeks in advance.

It is a fasting test (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours from last dose of hormones and test and take afterwards.

Always get a copy of your results from the surgery for your own records and post if you have a query.

I will give you a link from TUK which you might also find helpful.

thyroiduk.org/?s=pregnancy&...

Sanz17 profile image
Sanz17 in reply toshaws

Hi there, I’m following this thread too but both links you have posted about to Thyroid UK just seem to say “coming soon”. Is there another way to access this info? Many thanks!

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply toSanz17

Thanks for notifying me. I'll have a look to see if I can resolve it.

It could be due to TUK updating their information.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply toSanz17

I am correct - due to site being updated no info is yet available.

I hope the following will be helpful:

thyroid.org/patient-thyroid...

Sanz17 profile image
Sanz17 in reply toshaws

Thank you!

robynrose67 profile image
robynrose67 in reply toshaws

Hi, thank you so much for replying. I will make sure I do this next time I have a thyroid test which will be in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the links, also with the food and drug interactions I noticed it says I should be wary of Iodine and the prenatal vitamin i'm taking has it in so think I will opt for another one without it.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Important to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing so that you can see what your vitamin levels actually are

What vitamin supplements have you been taking up until now?

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand

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

Presumably you have Hashimoto’s?

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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)

Are you currently taking T3?

If/when also on T3, 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?

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 antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Pregnancy guidelines

thyroiduk.org/having-a-baby-2/

gp-update.co.uk/files/docs/...

Important See pages 7&8

btf-thyroid.org/Handlers/Do...

robynrose67 profile image
robynrose67 in reply toSlowDragon

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I have been taking Vitabiotics Pregnacare (before conception) not been taking it long though. But feel a bit wary as it has iodine in and lots of other vits i'm not sure if this will effect levels although pharmacist says as long as i take 4 hours apart but think i will opt for one without it to be on the safe side.

I take 100mg and 75mg alternate days.

Yes it is usually the same brand that I have.

I don't know if I am Hashimoto and i don't take t3 just Levothyroxine.

Yes i will try my gp to test these but it's like getting blood out of a stone trying to contact them at the moment. Thank you for the lincs and info :)

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