Should I optimise vitamins and minerals before “tweaking” thyroid medication? 🤔

[underact15]

General Question!🌟 Is it best to work on getting all vitamins and minerals optimal before “tweaking” thyroid medication?! I feel like I don’t want to change too much at one time! 🤪🤯

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

underact15

How far off optimal are they? If you post your current results, with reference ranges, it might help us to help you.

[underact15 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for replying, SeasideSusie 🌟

I’m deficient in iron and vitD, and magnesium and zinc are low. B12 and folate are ok but perhaps not high enough; I can’t remember off the top of my head.

TSH is elevated at 3.08 (having been between 1 and 2 for a couple of years 🤔) so endo would like to increase levo by 25mg (currently on 100) and maybe introduce T3. T4 is top end and T3 is mid. I also found out (5yrs on) that I have Hashimoto’s so I’m researching all of this for myself for the first time. It’s been a lot to take in and I’m trying not to overwhelm myself, especially whilst trying to homeschool etc! 🤪🤯

[underact15 in reply to underact15]

mcg* sorry!!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to underact15]

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[underact15 in reply to helvella]

Thank you, helvella! 🌟

[Spareribs in reply to underact15]

From my own experience when my Vit D level was low, supplementing lowered my TSH of over 5 down, (I don't think they tested FT4/FT3) so I wasn't prescribed any medication. But, more importantly, I felt a hell of a lot better and pain-free 😁However, you should go by your Dr's advice, he sounds good and even suggested T3.

Sorting out deficiencies is serious (especially now) & to help thyroid function 👍

[underact15 in reply to Spareribs]

This is encouraging, thank you! 🌟🤞🏽

[jimh111]

Magnesium blood levels do not reflect intracellular levels so you can usually ignore the serum Mg unless it is below reference which might indicate a problem.

I have noticed that other levels such as ferritin and vitamin D are reluctant to recover until your thyroid is treated, so I wouldn't delay thyroid treatment.

[mountainice in reply to jimh111]

Regarding Vitamin D . My D was 15 and I managed to get it up to over 200 and I wasn't on any thyroid medicine at that time. Everyone's different I know. I used high daily doses, along with Vitamin K2 and magnesium.

[jimh111 in reply to mountainice]

That's interesting and great although a little on the high side perhaps. I find it more economic and easier to take a high dose Vit D once a week as opposed to a low dose daily. However, I really prefer going on holiday to boost my Vit D!

[mountainice in reply to jimh111]

I take 10,000iu a day, but now sometimes miss a day or take only one 5,000iu. Don't think sun would do it for me, I still got low even with sun, though I miss going to Turkey or Greece. Ideally we need supplement and sun.

[underact15 in reply to mountainice]

Turkey and Greece 😎👍🏽😎 I started taking 2000IU vitD every day about 3wks ago 🤞🏽

[underact15 in reply to jimh111]

I much prefer going on holiday too 🤣 I wonder when Covid will let us do that again 😩🤞🏽😷

[Spareribs in reply to underact15]

I have a sun lamp as I'm solar powered...😁🌞👌 and it's not just me!

[humanbean]

Personally, I don't think you can separate the two. I think optimising thyroid and optimising nutrients both need to go on as early as possible.

You might find this thread of interest :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[underact15 in reply to humanbean]

This is interesting, thank you! So better levels of vitamins increased your TSH, FT4 and FT3! If I were to go the same way then my TSH and FT4 (which are already close to top of the range) could go over range?! FT3 could probably use a boost though so that would be ok! 😬

[humanbean in reply to underact15]

Well, they had almost no effect on my TSH (135% through the range compared to 133% through the range which is a miniscule difference and wouldn't be considered significant by a doctor).

However, for almost the same TSH my Free T4 and Free T3 were much, much better after optimising vitamins and improving my diet. And since it is Free T3, and to a lesser extent Free T4, which actually determine how well we feel, I considered the effect of optimised vitamin levels on Free T4 and Free T3 to be hugely important.

[underact15 in reply to humanbean]

Ok, thank you, I’m learning every day! 😬 If optimising vitamin levels sends my FT4 over range (it’s currently 21, top of the range is 22) then an increase in levo would make it higher still?! Or have I got that wrong? 🤔

[humanbean in reply to underact15]

An increase in Levo might send you over the top of the range. But it would be worth finding out what effect it has for a few weeks to find out whether it improves how you feel.

If you are being offered an increase from 100mcg to 125mcg, you don't have to ask a doctor's permission to stop the extra 25mcg later if it doesn't suit you. Your doctor doesn't stand there pointing a gun at your head forcing you to take the whole dose you've been prescribed.

[underact15 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you, that’s clear now. You’re right, I probably need to give it a go 😬 It’s a bit confusing when it looks like I probably need to get TSH down a bit but T4 could do with staying where it is...that’s a bit tricky, isn’t it!? Will an increase in levo also increase T3? Or only if I’m converting well? 🤔

[humanbean in reply to underact15]

An increase in Levo would usually have an effect on T3, but it will depend on your conversion.

There are no guarantees. I've spent most of my time since treating my hypothyroidism on T3-only. Last year I switched to Levo from T3 only. My latest increase in Levo reduced my TSH below range, increased my Free T4 over the range and made my Free T3 drop by a tiny amount.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I’m no expert but I’d say if your endo wants to increase your levo by 25mcg then I’d grab the opportunity with both hands. From what I’ve seen normally they are trying to reduce your levo.I’d work on increasing your vitamins and minerals at the same time, you can always reduce your levo if you need to but your insufficient and low vitamins and minerals need a bit of help.

[underact15 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Yes I think you’re right, and I’m also no expert 🤣🤪 I think I’m feeling concerned about being over medicated!?! 🤔

[Spareribs]

🙄 My work colleague (@ school) today printed out new NHS guidance for me ...lol...

formally 400iu- now 4000iu! well it's what I read anyway - I attribute my thyroid trouble to my own response to low vit D (a small minority can't take it - so not such a Eureka moment on here!!) BUT it works for most people..12 years on avoided carpal/cubital/neck operations.

If your GP (like mine) won't do test, go private to see where you are, to guage your level of supplementation needed - B'ham NHS lab got funding 'cos of 'ethnic' folk who avoid the sun & cover up... vitamindtest.org.uk/

banging my head for years about this... so I rarely post now...

I have a headache - perhaps I don't have to go to work in the morning! 🤣🐔