Hello , my question relates to my bloods, re Vi... - Thyroid UK

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Hello , my question relates to my bloods, re Vitamin B12 replete Plasma Folate level, is a result of 7ng/ml ( 4.0-20.0) considered low?

Babs37 profile image
4 Replies

Think i may have hypothyroidism. I have epilepsy and been using medication for 40yrs, sodium valproate/epilim. Just discovering it can stop vitamins and minerals being absorbed into the body properly and cause Thyroid problems. My bloods came back as deficient in vitamin D, as 24 nmol/l , testing range (40.0-250.0) but not in vitamin b12 or folate as within range, however i have symptoms that fit with low b12 and folate and results suggest to me that i am low, what does everyone else think?

serum vitamin B12 level 234pg/ml testing range ( 145-914.0)

vitamin b12 replete Plasma folate level 7 ng/ml testing range ( 4.0-20.0)

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Babs37
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Welcome to the forum

Were these tests done by GP

Vitamin D is deficient

GP should prescribe LOADING dose of 300,000iu vitamin D in total over 6-8 weeks

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...

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 as maintenance dose

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

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Low B12 and low folate often go with low vitamin D

Has GP done further testing for Pernicious Anaemia

Is GP going to prescribe B12 injections

Don’t start any B vitamins until had further testing

Babs37 profile image
Babs37 in reply to SlowDragon

Hello SlowDragon

Thank you for welcoming me here. Its my first time on a site like this.

Yes blood test were done by my local G.P. I have annual blood test because of being Epileptic.

I had original bloods taken in november and my TSH came back as 6.58mu/l range(0.3-5.6) so was told to re test in around 8 weeks

so got re tested end of december and now it is TSH 4.68 ( 0.3-5.6)

HOWEVER

results in November 2019 also showed high range with result being 5.21 ( 0.3-5.6)

basically at the moment i am on a fact finding and information gathering exercise as , apart from this time in November 2020 when it was 6.58 i have never been recalled for anything when infact, now i have obtained print outs of my blood results going back to june 2019, it looks to me like i have a possible underactive thyroid, been b12 and folate deficient along wit a couple of other problems.

so fact finding/ information gathering at the moment, so i am armed with information when i speak with them. Hope to phone tomorrow to arrange an appointment to talk about results

and yes speak with them about further testing and possible b12 injections.

As i say i am epileptic and have been for 40 yrs. Sadly i am only now discovering that anti epileptic drugs stop the normal absorption of vitamins and minerals into the body and it would seem some people get given the b12 injection to counteract this. sadly over the course of 40 yrs, no-one has ever told me i may need to take supplements or get injections.

fuchsia-pink profile image
fuchsia-pink in reply to Babs37

Your TSH is too high :( Please see if your GP will test thyroid antibodies next time. The biggest single cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimotos (indicated by raised antibodies).

Currently, many GPs ignore an over-range TSH test until it goes waaaay over range (which rather makes a mockery of having an upper range as high as 4 or 5 to start with, give that in many countries you are treated as hypo when TSH is 3 or more ...) but will sometimes give you the levo you need if TSH is over-range (as it has been) and antibodies are high.

And if you are feeling lucky, ask for your actual thyroid hormones to be checked too - free T4 and free T3.

Always get your actual blood results (and lab ranges, which vary from lab to lab) - don't rely on some receptionist saying they're "fine" or "normal" or "in range" - you want actual numbers. You are legally entitled to your blood results, without giving a reason - although it's usually easiest to say "for my records" or to register for on-line access x

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