Looking for advice for sister if anyone can help - Thyroid UK

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Looking for advice for sister if anyone can help

12345go profile image
17 Replies

Free T4 13.9pmol/L (12-22)

Serum tsh 1.56 mu/L (0.27-4.2)

B12 374 pg/ml (197-771)

Folate 8.15ng/ml (3.9-26.8)

Ferritin 125ng/ml(14 -186)

Vit D 43 nmol/l (30-170 )

These are my sisters blood results she has lots of symptoms but doc said bloods are fine , my brother and me both were diagnosed hypothyroidism last year is it possible she has it too ???

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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Yes

Obviously Low vitamin levels need improving

Vitamin D at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol maybe better

B12 at least over 500

Folate at least half way through range

Recommend getting FULL thyroid including thyroid antibodies 6-8 weeks after adding last vitamin supplement

12345go profile image
12345go in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you ,now need to get our doctor to agree 🙄

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to 12345go

Vitamin D

GP should prescribe 1600iu everyday for 6 months

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

GP will often only prescribe to bring levels to 50nmol.

Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

But with Hashimoto’s, improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function. There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with hashimoto’s we frequently need higher dose than average

Calculator for working out dose you may need to bring level to 40ng/ml = 100nmol

grassrootshealth.net/projec...

Government recommends everyone supplement October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...

Taking too much vitamin D is not a good idea

chriskresser.com/vitamin-d-...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

2 good videos on magnesium

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to 12345go

B12 and folate are within range so GP will never ever agree to prescribe

NHS is only obligated to test and treat deficiencies

Self 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-...

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 is another option that contain folate, but is large capsule

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL 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 B12 result under 500......taking a B12 supplement as well as 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/shop-by-prod...

amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...

healthline.com/nutrition/me...

12345go profile image
12345go in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you, how do we get doctor to trial levothyroxine with these results ?

Partner20 profile image
Partner20 in reply to 12345go

Unfortunately with those results you will not be classed as hypothyroid and in need of a trial of medication. Hypothyroidism has many symptoms in common with other conditions and vitamin/ mineral deficiencies. It is perfectly possible that when your sister's deficiencies and low levels improve, her symptoms will resolve.

12345go profile image
12345go in reply to Partner20

Thats what I was thinking or until she gets worse they do like to make us suffer 😔

Partner20 profile image
Partner20 in reply to 12345go

Although there is hypothyroidism in your family, it does not necessarily mean that your sister has, or will, develop it too. As her levels are currently normal for someone not on medication, other issues may well be causing her symptoms. Vitamin and minerals which have shown as deficient or low level by testing should be addressed in the first instance, which may resolve all symptoms. If not, then other causes should be investigated. Hopefully your sister will find the solution soon.

12345go profile image
12345go in reply to SlowDragon

SlowDragon @ I have low vitamins levels myself on folic acid and vit d spray I tried b complex with b12 a few weeks ago after 4 days I woke up with terrible heartburn and didn't feel right so stopped it I had also just went up to 75 levothyroxine at the same time so I stopped b complex and I've been fine was thinking of starting it again but only half a tablet do you think this would work ??

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to 12345go

Heart burn more likely due having been under medicated and in need of dose increase ....hence getting increased to 75mcg

How long have you been on 75mcg ....will need bloods retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine?

Which brand?

Suggest you get just B12 supplements, while taking folic acid (presumably folic acid prescribed by GP?)

How much vitamin D are you currently taking

When were vitamin D levels last tested?

Are you taking vitamin D with K2

And taking magnesium?

12345go profile image
12345go in reply to SlowDragon

Vit d 65 (30 -170) September 20 So got spray recommended on here

December 7th 20

B12 345(197-771)

Folate 20 (3.9 -26.8) so folate has worked was 3.42 just finished folic acid yesterday (4 months)I did stop folic acid to start b complex with b12

Ferritin 88 (14-186)

Started 75 levothyroxine 13 December 20

Only because I pushed for it doctor wasn't happy

Getting bloods done next week because platelet have been low since August ,doctor is only interested in testing them because they are not in range

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to 12345go

Suggest you retest vitamin D in Feb see where levels are

So are you now taking vitamin B complex and also separate B12

Suggest Retest along with thyroid levels 6-8 weeks after next dose increase in levothyroxine

Ferritin is good

12345go profile image
12345go in reply to SlowDragon

I was going to try it again now my folic acid is finished I have the igennus super b complex I only stopped it because I thought it caused the heartburn which I don't normally get

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to 12345go

Suggest you start with half a tablet for week or two

12345go profile image
12345go in reply to SlowDragon

I was thinking that too ,thanks again for your help ,wishing you good health and a happy new year 😊

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to 12345go

Low stomach acid can be a common hypothyroid issue

Frequently results in acid reflux and hear burn....should improve as dose levothyroxine is increased

Unless very petite likely to need at least 100mcg levothyroxine per day (guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight is 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight)

Thousands of posts on here about low stomach acid

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Web links re low stomach acid and reflux and hypothyroidism

nutritionjersey.com/high-or...

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

healthygut.com/articles/3-t...

naturalendocrinesolutions.c...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to 12345go

Only add one supplement at a time and wait at least 10-14 days before adding another ....otherwise can’t tell what’s helping most

Retest thyroid levels via private testing 6-8 weeks after adding last vitamin supplement

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