Hyperthyroid

[D9d9]

Do levels of Vitamins and minerals in the body affect THC levels? If so which ones should be checked if you are found to be Hyperthyroid?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

TCH is the mind altering compound in cannabis, I assume you mean TSH?

TSH thyroid stimulating hormone is made by the pituitary, and only affects the production of new thyroid hormone. When thyroid levels FT3 & FT4 are high TSH becomes low as new hormone is not needed.

Being hyper does metabolise nutrients quickly. Doctors don’t always routinely test for then. Extremely important to test B12, vitamin D, folate and ferritin.

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested to confirm the cause of your hyperthyroidism?

[D9d9 in reply to PurpleNails]

Yes I meantTSH! Antibodies test done and Ok. I have low B12 but not sure about others. If any are low how di they affect TSH please?

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to D9d9]

Which antibodies were tested? There are several.

Only thyroid hormones affect the TSH. It can naturally fluctuate througout day depending on fasting & time of day. But you can’t “treat” and adjust TSH levels by vitamin or minerals or herbal supplements.

Optimal nutrients will help your general health & your thyroid health, especially conversation of FT4 to FT3.

[D9d9 in reply to PurpleNails]

I had high T4 but normal T3. I can find out which antibody tests I have had. My TSH level was very low.

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to D9d9]

There are 4 main different thyroid Antibodies Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and Thyroglobulin (Tg) for Hashimoto's (can start with transient hyperthyroidism but ultimately results in under active)

Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) and TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) for Graves disease (continuous overactive).

Antibodies have a upper limit < a results above is positive

what were your Thyroid function result?

Your TSH, FT3, FT4. Include normal range ( often shown in brackets) as ranges varys between labs.

Arranging online access to GP record ideal as doctors and receptionists can occasionally be obstructive. But you are legally entitled to copies of your results.

[D9d9 in reply to PurpleNails]

Is there information somewhere on Vitamins and herbs to help Hyperthyroidism?

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to D9d9]

Link added below.

thyroid uk has a section about how to “manage your hyperthyroidism” Including information about vitamins and supplements, and suggested suppliers and a discount code if you are a member.

Ive read many websites recommending natural remedies, but long term the only effective way to treat continuously hyper thyroid levels is with an anti thyroid.

There’s is no way to reduce existing excess thyroid levels, only reduce the production on new hormone and finding a balance using the anti thyroid medication.

Iodine is often recommended for thyroid disorders and is often included in multivitamins but this can be very unhelpful for hyperthyroidism.

Usually it’s is best to test and treat to keep optimal. It is not a good idea to start taking lots of different supplements. It is best to add one supplements at a time and leave a two week time gap to ensure you are not reacting to any of the ingredients in the in the supplement.

Were you given any medication? I take carbimazole and it is said L-carnitine can enhance it. I was able to lower my dose of carbimazole when taking 500mg per day.

thyroiduk.org/managing-your...

[D9d9 in reply to PurpleNails]

On Carbimazole 5mg and having my first blood test to see what the result is.

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to D9d9]

Was that a starting dose?

[D9d9 in reply to PurpleNails]

Yes

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to D9d9]

It’s a very, very low dose. Usually 40 - 60mg is a usual starting dose and it is reduced gradually to keep levels in range. 5mg is a maintenance dose often when higher doses have been taken for years. If your FT4 is elevated and FT3 in range. Carbimazole will lower both. FT3 is the active hormone.

I am usually tested 6 weekly? Do you have a schedule?

When you are retested ensure you are not dosed using the TSH result, This can lag behind.

Essential you find the cause of your hyper result and check you do not show signs of under active thyroid.

What symptoms do you have?

[D9d9 in reply to PurpleNails]

What does dosed with TAH mean? My symptoms are racing heartbeat, comes and goes. Cold fingers and feet/ legs sometimes. Waking up in the middle of the night feeling unwell. Legs/ feetsometimes get very hot. More breathless than usual. No appetite. Sometimes a lot of sweating.

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to D9d9]

Medics tend to look at TSH level and adjust dose according to this result, but it doesn’t always reflect the actual FT3 & 4. for example my TSH has been <0.01 for 7 years. My FT3 was high, FT4 was just borderline high at diagnosis, but even when my levels were (medicated) until below range the TSH did not rise. When my levels were below 30% through range for several months it rose very slightly but never went into range.

Lack of appetite & cold extremities more associated with Hypothyroid. Racing heart & sweating hyper. You could have fluctuating levels? Or a nutritional deficiency. Not everyone hyper or hypo has the same array of symptoms or severity. (Welcome to our world).

If you are found to have hahis or a transient hyper carbimazole will lower your levels very quickly, even at a low dose.

Some prefer to wait starting carbimazole until all antibodies are fully tested. I started medication when I was prescribed it, It was later found I didn’t have positive level of autoimmune antibodies. But have remained on carbimazole as I have a solitary hyper functioning nodule, it is visible swelling on 1 lobe of my thyroid.(ie one sided goitre)

[D9d9 in reply to PurpleNails]

My recent blood results since being on carbimazole 5 mg for 8 weeks. My TSH is now 0.04 and T4 is now 14. Free T3 is 5. Antibody tests as far as I know have come back negative.

[D9d9 in reply to PurpleNails]

This next blood test will be my first after taking tablets fir 6 weeks.

[D9d9 in reply to PurpleNails]

Oh and I have a goitre from sometime in my past..

[helvella Administrator in reply to D9d9]

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[SlowDragon Administrator]

Essential to get the CORRECT antibodies tested

Autoimmune HYPOTHYROIDISM- called Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms

Antibodies test for Hashimoto’s is Peroxidase antibodies (TPO) and Thyroglobulin antibodies (TG)

Autoimmune HYPERTHYROID - called Graves’ disease is diagnosed by testing TSI or Trab Antibodies

It’s possible to have slightly raised TPO and TG antibodies with Graves’ disease too

Also possible, by rare, to have Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease at same time

Both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease results in low vitamin levels

Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Ferritin tends to be high with Graves’ disease, but not always

[SlowDragon Administrator]

do you have any actual blood 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

Far too often medics don’t test antibodies, assuming it’s Graves’ disease, when actually it’s Hashimoto’s

Insist on antibodies testing

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

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 .

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

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/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

Graves Disease antibodies test

medichecks.com/products/tsh...

Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease

Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Link about Graves’ disease

thyroiduk.org/hyperthyroid-...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...

[D9d9 in reply to SlowDragon]

I will get my blood test results from the surgery. Thanks for information.

[D9d9 in reply to SlowDragon]

What do you then do with the results of B12, Vit D, folate and ferritin tests? I am now on B12 sublingual tabs so will have to go with past blood test for B12 which was too low hence the tablets.

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to D9d9]

Post your test result with test range on forum. (Always include range as they vary between labs)

Start new post, asking for “advice on results please”, or something similar. Knowledgeable members can advise on best ways to optimise levels. If a certain supplement requires co factors to be effective and other important information.

[D9d9 in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you for your help and all the information. It helps a lot.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to D9d9]

Post your vitamin results and members can advise on next steps

If vitamins are deficient, then GP should prescribe (though that doesn’t always happen)

U.K. vitamins are insufficient, it’s down to you, not GP, to self supplement

But most important at moment is to get TSI or Trab antibodies tested to see if you do in fact have Graves’ disease.

Because if you don’t Carbimazole is not correct treatment for Hashimoto’s

We see many early stage Hashimoto’s hyperthyroid type results incorrectly assumed to be Graves’ disease

Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms and is very often misdiagnosed as Graves’ disease if GP/endo doesn’t test TSI or Trab antibodies

[D9d9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for information. My ferritin levels haven't been done since end 2019. It was 56 ug/L (15-300)Folate end of 2020 was 7.4 ug/L. >3.

Vit B12 end of 2020 was low at 323 ng/L. (150- 900)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to D9d9]

Are you male or female?

Ferritin is on low side .....particularly if male

Ferritin tends to be higher with Graves’ disease

And low with Hashimoto’s

Folate probably on low side

B12 is far too low

Need vitamin D tested

Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

[D9d9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Vit D was Ok at 75. Female. What is ideal for Folate levels?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to D9d9]

Your Folate result has no top of range

Folate range can be 3-20 or 3-60

So it might be ok at over 10 or over 30

But as your B12 is too low, taking a vitamin B complex as well as separate B12 will improve both

Vitamin D aim to keep at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol maybe better

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to D9d9]

Low B12 and folate

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 below 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

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

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthline.com/nutrition/me...

[D9d9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Where should ideal levels of folate be? I gave started taking a sublingual B12 since some weeks and was already taking a Multi which contained Biotin when blood tests were done. I have stopped them for this next blood test.

[D9d9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Im wondering why levels if everything are low despite taking a Multi Vit. Could it be malabsorption for some reason?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to D9d9]

Multivitamins are never recommended on here, contain far to little of anything to address low levels

Only for the “worried well”

Most multivitamins contain iron, blocks absorption of most other vitamins

Most multivitamins contain iodine, if you have Hashimoto’s iodine best avoided